The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1911-02-17
Wait there!' 7 ao,d .Do

OF my life and hers
Then l went in. l had half feared
mat 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 THAT girl-you
know
Even then, with all my soul given
to hers, heard the rapid tramp.
tramp of the young man in the next
room. If yielded to her appeal: if
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 I
must do. Marion knew too. She
read 1t in my eyes. Her own took on
an anguished appeal that wrung nv
heart.
Listen, Marion,' 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. It is his right
Even then she did not plead: that
was Marion's way. If she had plead.
ed l could not have resisted.
"'And If l 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 l must lose her forever.
"'How shall l be certain afterward
that l 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 l
will give you what you ask for
"Once l kissed her upon the fore.
head in eternal farewell. Then I
recalled the sleeping soul of the girl.
And when she opened her eyes they
were Marion's no longer. She started
up, but l restrained her.
Miss Strickland, you are safe with
me-Doctor Brodsky!' said reassur.
ingly. And l have cured you of your
attack. You will never have another
so long as you live. Your fiance Is
in the next room, waiting for you
Do you want to see him.
II saw a girlish blush steal ovel
her cheeks. There was no need Of
answer. Wait for me and will bring
him to you,' l said. Then l went II
to him.
81 am gong to give you back thu
thing that you most desire in all tn,
world said, placing my hand upol
his shoulder. But before l do So
have you forgotten your promise t
lsguard and cases {nrsl,Af alwAys. -:
"T will!' he cried; and I knew B,
his tone that his was no promis
vainly made or to be kept lightly.
Forgive an older man for preach
ing said to him. Remember, low
is the noblest and the greatest GIT
that God has given us. It is no
lightly to be esteemed or easily to b.
thrown away. Many have spoken on
harsh word and atoned for it through
years Of suffering. Comet
"Then l led him in. And whel
they met knew that had not acte
wrongly when made my sacrifice.
Next day at noon l was in the ros
garden that adjoins the common.
was July, but a few blossoms stil
fingered upon the trees. Deep in tn
shadiest walk, her arm linked throug
his. would have stepped aside, bu
she saw and beckoned to me.
| doctor she said. I can neve
even try to thank you enough 70
what you have done for me. l kno,
last night / must have come to 20
during my attack; do not remembe
that, but l know you cured me. An
| | feel that this cure will last, for
have something to live for and to n
main well for She glanced at he
flance shyly. so, as no words ca
thank you l want to give you littl
memento of my gratitude she sail
From the bosom Of her gown sh
pulled q solitary flower. Wear thi
for my sake and in token Of m
thanks she said.
II took the flower and fastened
to my coat. Then, feeling that he
gaze was bent upon mine, l locke
up. For one fleeting moment coul
see the soft tenderness of Marion
eyes. Then they were gone, and thos
of the young girl shone forth happil!
/ turned and went across the common
leaving them there. She married hill
soon after, believe; but l have neve
seen them since"
Neither OF US had stirred Will
Brodsky told US his tale. Once q
twice I had caught CLEANS of emotio
In the strangers eyes. but we ha
listened silently, absorbed by the sin
pie story. And neither of us coul
have been able to doubt it.
It had grown so late even the light
of the hotel had been extinguishet