The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-07-30

A sigh was the only immediate an
swer, as the pilgrim leaned wearily
against a marble pillar. Then came
the low spoken words:
Perhaps l may only half forget.
would remember, yet not remember
so acutely."
mo, you will wholly forget. The
Purple Ray is oblivion itself"
"Ah, well, better l kill these pain
full memories than break my heart!"
Then, if it must be so, enter and
forget"
SHOW me the way and let me, 60
quickly" was the plea of the veiled
lady. 81 have come far, and the worst
is only few steps farther on"
Come. them" and the master led
the way to the room of the Purple
Ray.
An hour passed, when the door was
opened and the yelled visitor came
forth and descended the broad stair.
way. She moved quickly and lia ltly,
and at the foot of the stairs she
laughed musically as she again met
the master.
Have you forgotten?" he asked.
Forgotten! | know that have for
gotten something, else why am l here,
yet l do not know what | have for
gotten"
so they all say!"
A flush of rosy light shone from a
slender window overhead, haloing the
pilgrim like saint
How beautiful everything isl she
exclaimed. why do | wear this veil?
will no longer!"
So saying she loosened it, disclos-
ing face young and eXquisitely fair.
The man shrank back as if pierced
by bolt.
MY God, it is her spirit!" he gasped.
mo, no." protested the visitor Il
am not a spirit, and fear l am too,
too human"
You are Morella" whispered the
man, staring before him like one peer
ing through intense darkness.
Il am. Who are you that you ask?''
"Morella! | thought you dead!
kissed you for dead and and then the
waves swept me away and | saw you
no more"
Some fishermen once found me on
sandy beach, where they said had
tainted. Who are you?"
The man drew back his cowl.
Look" There was no light of recog.
milton in the others eyes. my God!
the Ray has blotted out all memory
pray tell me what you mean, and
let me co." came the passionless
words.
A groan was the only reply, and the
man hid his face in his hands.
You seem to know what l have
forgotten. Has it aught to do with
you?"
90, Morella, it were better that
thought you dead than to know that
you have forgotten! Do you not re-
call our betrothal? See, you have the
ring upon your hand! Does it not
awaken one recollection of other
days?"
The girl gazed blankly at the ring
on her hand, and shook her head.
Has the Ray blotted out every fail
memory! Have you returned to life
only to forget! Try to think, dearest
Do you not remember that day in
Naples when we pledged eternal love
for one another?'
Il remember no betrothal" A deer
look of pity came into the speakers
eyes when she saw the pain her words
had caused. IF remembrance Is sc
sad, why do you not also forget?'
my love!" he groaned, you arc
making the world darker to me thar
to dying eyes! You ask me to forget!
You!"
You forget that have forgotten.
The man groaned in utter anguish
AS she turned to go he stayed hel
by gentle touch. Wait here while
l. too, go and kill that memory"
He dragged himself up the broad
stairway, looking back once when he
had reached the landing, then turned
and staggered towards the room Of
( the Purple Ray.