Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-06-16
THE BRIDAL PAIR
BY ROBERT w. CHAMBERS

In his dull brain words were sound
ing-his own words, written years
ago: When God takes the mind and
leaves the body alive, there grows
in it. sometimes, a beauty almost SUI
pernaturaL"
He had seen it in his medical prac-
tise. A thrill of fright penetrated
him, piercing every vein with its
chill. He strove to speak; his lips
seemed frozen; he stood there before
her. CHASTITY smile stamped on his
face. and in his heart, terror
What do you mean, Rosamund?"
he said at last.
That l am dead. dear. Did you
not understand that? II thought
you knew it--when you first saw me
at the cemetery. after all those years
since childhood. 80 Did you not
know it?" she asked. wistfully. II
must wait for my bridal"
Misery whitened his face as he
raised his head and looked out across
the sunlit world Something had
smeared and married the fair earth;
the sun grew gray as he stared.
Stupefied by the crash, the ruins OF
life around him. he stood mute, erect.
facing the west.
She whispered, DO you under
stand? 2"
yes" he said; 1--WE will wed later.
You have been i'll. dear; but it is all
right now-and Viii always be-God
help usl Love is stronger than all
stronger than death"
II know 1t Is stronger than DEATH"
she said, looking out dreamily over
the misty valley.
He followed her gaze, calmly,
serenely reviewing all that he must
renounce, the happiness of wedlock,
children-all that man desires.
Suddenly instinct stirred, awaking
mans only friend-hope. A lifetime
for the battle!-for a cure! Hope
less? He laughed In his excitement
Despair?-when the cure lay almost
within his grasp!-the work he had
given his life to! "A month more in
the laboratory-two months-three-
perhaps a year. What of it? 1t must
surely come-how could he fail when
the work of his life meant all in life
for herr.
from his face; ominous, foreboding
thoughts crept in; fear laid shaky
hand on his head, which fell heavily
forward on his breast.
Science and mans cunning and the
wisdom of the world!
20 God" he groaned. for Him who
cured by laying on His hands,"
Now that he had learned her name
and that her father was alive he
stood mutely beside her, staring
steadily at the chimneys and stately
dormered roof, almost hidden behind
the crimson maple foliage across the
valley-her home
She had seated herself once more
upon the moss. hands clasped upon
one knee, looking out into the West
with dreamy eyes.
II shall not be long he said gently.
"Will you wait here for me? I will
bring your father with me-"
II will wait for you. But you must
come before the new moon. Will you?
must go when the new moon lies in
the West
A"Go. dearest? where?'
"I may not tell YOU" she sighed,
but you will know very soon-very
soon now. And there will be no more
sorrow, think she added timidiy.
There will be no more sorrow" he
repeated quietly 98
For the former things are passing
away" she said.
He broke heavy spray of golden
rod and laid 1t across her knees; she
held ont hlossoYn To him erentian
blue as her eyes. He kissed 1t.
BE with me when the new moon
comes" she whispered. 1T will be
SO sweet j will teach you how divine
is death IL you will come"
"You shall teach. me the sweetness
of life,'' he said tremulously.
"Yes-life. did not know you called
it by its truest name"
So he went away, trudging sturdily
down the lane; gun glistening on his
shoulder.
Along the row of village shops
loungers followed him with vacant
eyes. He saw nothing heard nothing.
The landlord of the Wildwood Inn
sat summing himself in the red eve
ming glow.
well. doctor" he said, you look
tired to death. Eth? What's that you
say?'
The young man repeated his ques-
ton in a low voice. The landlord
shook his head.
"No, sir. The big house on the Hill
is empty--been empty these three
years. No, sir. there amt no family
there now. The old gentleman moved