The Raymer enterprise., 1911-02-09
"'waIt therer / said. Perhaps

"If you can cure her. he raid sol.
emnly, I pledge my soul that ] will
guard and protect her for the whole
OF my life and hers
Then | went in. had half feared
that my absence would have driven
Marion away. But she sat there. she
smiled up at me radiantly, and all
my soul went out in a wild tumult Of
desire and anguish.
I may stay with you forever she
whispered, raising her lips to mine.
You will not drive me away, back into
the darkness again? For after all,
she is not really I-that girl-you
know
Even then, with all my soul given
to hers, l heard the rapid tramp.
tramp Of the young man in the next
room. If yielded to her appeal; II
we enjoyed the brief remaining span
OF life together-what then! What
would be the fruits of such stolen
happiness? And l wept binding,
hopeless tears. For l knew what
must do. Marion knew too. She
read 1t in my eyes. Her own took on
an anguished appeal that wrung my
heart.
Listen. Marion.' l said. We have
had our own lives to spend and we
have ruined them. This life is his.
He is waiting here for her to come
back to him. 1t is his right
Even then she did not plead that
was Marion's way. II she had plead.
ed l could not have resisted.
"'And II must co. she murmured,
what then? What will become OF US
when the weary travail Of this life
is spent?'
Why replied. God has been so
good to us. Suppose we trust him
little longer. Suppose We do right
and leave to him the Judgment
"She closed her eyes in resigna.
ton; she leaned closer to me. in hope.
less, resignation. Another moment
and must lose her forever.
How shall be certain afterward
that ! have really had you with me?'
cried How shall be sure that this
was not some frenzied dream? Give
me some sign or token to remember
Once again she opened her eyes
and smiled at me. DO you remember
the rose garden?' she asked softly.
BE there tomorrow at noon and
will give you what you ask for
Once I kissed her upon the fore
head in eternal farewell. Then
recalled the sleeping soul Of the girl.
And when she opened her eyes they
were Marion's no longer. She started
up. but restrained her.
miss Strickland, you are safe with
me-Doctor Brodsky!' said reassur.
ingly. And | have cured you Of your
attack. You will never have another
so long as you live. Your Gance is
in the next room, waiting for you.
Do you want to see him?'
Il saw a girllsh blush steal over
her cheeks. There was no need OF
answer. Wait for me and | will bring
him to you,' said. Then I went In
to him.
II am going to give you back the
thing that you most desire in all the
world ! said. placing my hand upon
his shoulder But before do So
have you forgotten your promise to
guard and care for her always
81 Will he cried; and | knew by
his tone that his was no promise
vainly made or to be kept lightly.
Forgive an older man for preach.
ing, l said to him. Remember, love
is the noblest and the greatest gift
that God has given us. 1t Is not
lightly to be esteemed or easily to be
thrown away. Many have spoken one
harsh word and atoned for It through
years Of suffering. Comet
Then led him in. And when
they met knew that had not acted
wrongly when made my sacrifice.
Next day at noon | was In the rose
garden that adjoins the common. It
was July, but a few blossoms still
fingered upon the trees. Deep in the
shadiest walk, her arm linked through
his. ! would have stepped aside, but
she saw and beckoned to me.
doctor she said. I can never
even try to thank you enough for
what you have done for me. know
last night ! must have come to you
during my attack; l do not remember
that, but know you cured me. And
| feel that this cure will last. for I
have something to live for and to re.
main well for She glanced at her
fiance shyly. SO, as no words can
thank you ! want to give you little
memento Of my gratitude she said.
From the bosom Of her gown she
pulled solitary flower. Wear this
for my sake and In token OF my
thanks, she said.
Il took the flower and fastened It
to my coat. Then. feeling that her
gaze was bent upon mine. looked
up. For one fleeting moment could
see the soft tenderness Of Marlons
eyes, Then they were gone. and those
Of the young girl shone forth happily.
| turned and went across the common.
leaving them there. She married him
soon after. | believe: but ] have never