The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1908-11-04

but months had gone by and they had
heard nothing.
my heart says no." she replied only
when he had finished.
Love cannot remain hidden. When
Cora chose Fred Nevlus, Burns had
put his love away. But now, believ-
ing his rival dead 1t had come back In
greater volume. And so, though she
ever put him aside, he sued persistent
ly for her hand
One day she told him II he would
pers again and In six months no It'd
ings came she would give him an an
swer.
When the time was past and he fall
teringly reminded her Of 1t she said:
Mr.. Burns. you have been true
friend to me when such were very
few. l respect you. honor you, but
to give. Living or dead, Fred Nevius
still has my heart"
II will be content II you will but say
yes" he urged.
And thus the compact was made.
Now that 1t was settled Burns beg.
ged for an early marriage. and being
abetted by Mrs. Dixon, Cora consent
ed. l.istlessly she did It as II II mat
tered not to her as indeed 1t did not
So In the days after Burns noted the
same apathetic agreement with every
suggestion from her mother or HIM
self II cut him to the heart. for,
though counting 1t earths choicest
blessing to have her by his side on any
terms. he could not escape the convic-
ton that he WINS requiring too great \
sacrifice Of her.
One day when she was more than
usually distrait he offered to release
her. She told him that, while she
could not give him what his truth and
devotion deserved, she would be true
to him II such was his desire.
at IL my hearts dearest WISH" he
answered fervently. And love like
mine must have Its reward by and by.
! will be patient"
Deeply touched, even more by his
tone than the words, she answered
gently, "Geoffrey, wish l might do
more. but all TINT l can give shall be
yours"
After this for his sake she strove to
fulness. And when she succeeded, AZ
In part she sometimes did, his happy
face paid her for the struggle. But
when alone IN her room, where she
could be herself. her sore heart cried
out against the fate which forced this
hollow life upon her.
On the evening Of the day before
that set for her wedding she was sit
ting In II rustic chair on the lawn
Wrapped In the contemplation Of her
strange position, she did not know that
II man was approaching her until he
had called har name. Az she turned
the face of Fred Nevlus, full Of hun
cry longing. met hers.
With little cry OF gladness she
sprnng up, and the next moment hts
arms were about her. How long they
remained thus they could not have
told, when they saw the grave eyes of
Geoffrey Burns. not In anger, but full
Of unutterable sadness. resting on
|
them.
Tearing herself from Nevius' clasp,
Cora went to Burns and put her hand
upon his arm.
Forgive me, Godfrey" she said
humbly. Forgive me. l forgot" Then.
turning to Fred. she added. "Tomor-
row night | am to be his wife"
Nevius recoiled as II she had struck
him aud. like one dazed, stood, with q
dumb misery ON his ashen face, look
ing from one to the other At last he
broke the painful silence.
Great God" he cried passionately,
did ever man have such bitter fate 7
On Il scrap OF paper few days ago
saw an account Of the cruel Jest which
ruined my life. l hurried home, hop
Ing to find what evil fortune had
snatched from me. | thought l had.
but, oh, my Cod His words ended
with wall Of despair, and, turning.
he staggered AWAY like one who had
lost all hope.
Burns. watching them, saw that
while Cora still kept her hand upon
his arm her eyes followed the retreat
Ing form. and all her heart went with
them.
Impatiently the guests. sitting In
Mrs. Dixona parlor, waited the COM
Ing OF the bridal party. The groom
had been with Cora fully half an hour,
and the clock had announced the hour
for the ceremony more than that long
ago.
Presently 1t was whispered they
were coming. The organist made
ready, touching the initial chords. The
clergyman took his place. All eyes
turned on the door saw Godfrey Burns
come In alone.
The establishment Of the asse mbled
company found expression In one
smothered murmur. Then all grew
silent as the chamber Of death as they
saw Burns was about to speak.
With a mighty effort to be calm. he
began: Friends. there will be no we'd
ding tonight | had thought that this
hour would crown my life with the
fulfillment Of its fondest hope. but
God wills otherwise. My love for
Cora Dixon has not abated one jot,
and she stands ready to make good
her promise to be my wife. But be
whom God hath Joined to her II now
returned, and, though It leaves my life
barren waste. I have released her
from her VOW"
Shortly after Fred and Cora were
quietly married. And the first news
they had OF the noble man whose sac
rlhce had made their union possible
was that he had been killed in Cuba,
and In his will he had left his property
IN COra