The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-11-11

longer young and needs me.
@She will We happy. I know the
girl mur1SsUd.
And you. are you glad?"
Yes, she said. simply. II am
glad.
Gervais hesitated: the lights Of
Bromley were twinkling in the dis
lance
Enid. he said in low. uncertain
way, Il have no right to ask you the
question, but want to hear the truth
from your lips. Whenwhen are
you and Dare to be married."
Enid started and then trembled.
@You are-are mistaken" she
managed to get out. II am not"
You are not vexed with mel" he
exclaimed, quickly.
II am not going to marry Mr..
Broughton." she cried. in despera-
ton.
What" Gervais stopped and
looked at her. Enid, is this true?"
She only nodded her head.
\ why are you not going to marry
Dare?"
Enid turned away.
Because IL do not think It
wise"
rs 1t because you love some one
else? oh, Enid, forgive mel"
There is nothing to forgive" she
murmured. family.
Gervais said no more. only drew
her hand through his arm, and then,
as II urged by some strong emotion,
he released it again.
ANo," he said, almost to himself.
II must know. Enid. be gentle with
me. You are not going to marry
Dare. Is it because you love some
one else-it it-oh, my darling, is it
because you love met"
She breated word so low he had
to stoop to catch it.
"Yes.n
With an eager cry of Joy he
clasped her in his arms and kissed
her.
@Enid. should have been home
nearly two years ago. but I thought
that Dare and you we're"
@Hush!p she said, family. yet so
happily. why. Gervais, / have loved
You from the hrst-the very frst day
saw you"
He softly touched the sweet lips
with his own.
And out Of my sorrow has grown
my great love for you. Enid. think
1t must have been there all the time.
Gline, elocor ~ mo ,uv do.1,,~ "a
deal gently with me. for have suf-
fered so much!"
Her answer was to wrap her arms
around him and pillow her head ON
his breast.
"Oh, my dear. dear love! " she said.
brokenly. II / had only dared let
you know all felt for you."
Il did know it, Enid" he said.
"and even in that awful past the
knowledge comforted me. Enid, /
have come upon you so suddenly, per-
haps have startled your confession
from you; If so. will be patient and
wait till you have thought it all over,
my dearest, and"
II want no thought, Gervais. 1
know my own heart too well. I have
always loved you"
He stood silent for a moment.
hardly comprehending the fullness of
his Joy at first: then fieeting. DARK
memory came.
But the past, Enid" he said. just
tightening his hold. "I-I must tell
you all now"
TELL me nothing" She lifted her
pure, lovely face to his. "Let her
secret be buried with her. poor crea-
ture!"
Gervais murmured the last two
words after her.
1T was one terrible mistake" he
said. sadly. "But it is over: and
henceforth, my darling, our lives. by
heavens blessing. shall run on
smoothly to the end. Kiss me again,
Enid, my own dear one, my wife!"
The moon broke through the cold.
gray sky, and shone down ON them as
they walked on, lost in their great
happiness; it cleaned. too, on the
home that had been so degraded and
desecrated. and 1t fingered on Enid
with soft. tender touch. as If it inn
printed a blessing on her and on the
man she loved.
The End.