Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-02-22

EMMY. I pledge my soul that / will
guard and protect her for the whole
Of my life and hers
Then / went in. I 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 THAT girl-you
know
Even then, with all my soul given
to hers. I 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 I 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, 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. If she had plead
ed l could not have resisted.
And If must 60 she murmured.
what then? What will become of us
when the weary travail of this life
is spent?'
Why l replied, God has been so
good to us. Suppose we trust him
a 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 l 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 l 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 l 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 fiance is
in the next room, waiting for you.
Do you want to see him?
Il saw girlish blush steal over
her cheeks. There was no need OF
answer. Wait for me and | will bring
him to you, said. Then l went in
to him.
I 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?'
al win he cried; and l knew by
his tone that his was no promise
vainly made or to be kept lightly.
Forgive an older man for preach
ing, | said to him. Remember, love
is the noblest and the greatest gift
that God has given us. It is not
lightly to be esteemed or easily to be
thrown away ANY have spoken one
harsh word and atoned for it through
years of suffering. Gomez!
Then l led him in And when
they met knew that I had not acted
wrongly when l made my sacrifice
Next day at noon l was in the rose
garden that adjoins the common. II
was July. but few blossoms still
fingered upon the trees. Deep in the
shadiest walk, her arm linked through
his. l 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 l must have come to you
during my attack; / do not remember
that, but l know you cured me- And
l feel that this cure will last, for
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 a 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, l looked
up. For one feeting moment | could
see the soft tenderness of Marion's
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
seen them since"
Neither of us had stirred while
Brodsky told us his tale, Once or
twice l had caught CLEANS Of emotion
in the strangers eyes. but We had
listened silently, absorbed by the sim.
Pile story. And neither of us could
have been able to doubt IT,
It had grown so late even the lights
OF the hotel had been extinguished.
The night air blew softly upon us