Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-01-22

my heart says no, she replied only
when he had finished.
Love cannot remain hidden. When
Cora chose Fred Nevius, 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 IL he would
put like inquiries for Nevius In the pa.
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;
mfr Burns, you have been true
friend to me when such were very
few. respect you, honor you, but
the love which you deserve is not mine
to give. Living or dead. Fred Nevius
still has my heart"
"I will be content If you will but say
yes" no 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. Listlessly she did 1t us IL 1t 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 It earth's choicest
blessing to have her by his side on any
terms, he could not escape the convic-
ton that he was requiring too great a
sacrifice of her.
One day when she was more than
usually distract he offered to release
her. She told him that, while she
could not give him what his truth and
devotion deserved, she would DO true
to him IL such was his desire.
ut is my hearts dearest wish," no
answered fervently. And love like
mine must have It's reward by and by.
I Will be patient"
Deeply touched, even more by his
tone than the words, she answered
gently, "Geoffrey, I wish / might do
more but all that / can give shall be
yours"
After this for his sake she Btroye to
bring back some of her old time cheer
fulness. And when she succeeded MS
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 u rustic chair on tho lawn.
Wrapped in the contemplation Of her
strange position, she did not know that
man was approaching her until he
had called her name. Az she turned
the face Of Fred Nevius, full of n hun.
CRY longing, met hers.
with little cry OF gladnesS she
sprang up. and the next moment his
arms were about her. How long they
remained thus they could not have
told, when they saw the grave eyes Of
Godfrey 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 snid
humbly. "Forgive me. forgot" Then,
turning to Fred, she added "romor.
row night am to be his wife"
Nevius recoiled M If she had struck
him and, like one daZed. stood, with n
dumb misery ON his ashen face, look.
Ing from ono to the other. AT Inst he
broke the painful silence.
"Great God" he cried pasBlonately,
did ever man have such bitter fate
On a scrap Of paper few days ago ]
saw an account Of the cruel Jest which
ruined my life. hurried home, hop
ing to find what evil fortune had
snatcbed from me. thought had,
but, oh, my Cod. His words ended
with Il 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. Dixon's 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 tho ceremony more than that long
ago.
Presently 1t was whispered they
were coming. The organlst made
ready, touching the initial chords. The
clergyman took his place. All eyes
turned on the door saw Geoffrey Burns
come in alone.
The establishment Of the assembled
company found expression In one
smothered murmur Then all grew
silent az the chamber Of death as they
saw Burns was about to speak
With a mighty effort to be calm, be
began Friends, there will be no wed
ding tonight ! had thought that this
hour would crown my life with the
| fulfllment OF Its fondest hope, but
God wills otherwise. My love fol
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 IL nov
returned, and, though 1t leaves my If
| barren waste, I have released bei
from her vow"
Shortly after Fred and Cora were
| quietly married. And the first new
they had Of the noble man whose sac
rifce had made their union possible
was that he had been killed In Cuba
and IN his will he had left his property