The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1913-09-26
WE AND CHARITY
BY e. S. ELLSWORTH.

"Dick, dear Dick" said Kate. 81
We you so. There would be nothing
i'd she: Speak to me, dear"
Dick sat in reverential silence, soft
yed and motionless; of a sudden,
bid she: Speak to me, dear"
"Why should l disturb the limpid
appiness of this moment with my
arsh voice?" he queried.
Harsh? Why, it is the sweetest
music in the world to me-"
Awhile she pondered, then: did
bou ever think how little we knew of
bach other? I do not speak of con-
ventional knowledge; of things that
are patent to all the world; but of
those deep personalities that are the
real man and woman. Let us confess
i'm the citation of this sanctitied hour.
will give you all my past; my wishes
and hopes; desires and actions. You.
Dick, will bare to me the secret re-
cesses of your soul; depths, hereto
fore concealed from all but God"
He gazed upon her, an eloquent
fear glowing in his eyes. "Why res
urrect the buried past, dear Kate?" he
asked. LET US be happy in the life
. to come, based upon our present love
and trust"
Trust? My soon to be husband,
there can be but little trust in the
future, If the past is unknown. l love
enough to forgive the actions of
r immaturity. Is your charity as
Ege and comprehensive"
But, Kitty, they are divergent
cases. For you, some school girl pee
cadiloes; for me, alas, a vastly chang
ing story"
Proceed" said she. "Unbear to
me your soul; your thoughts; your
actions"
"Be careful, my little one, and do
not shame me thus. AS long as life
shall last, rare fidelity shall now be
mine; but men are men, and there
are memories Of my past that it were
better to forget?"
"And women are women" she an.
swered. 81 shall also have some tales
to tell; and clear conscience before
our marriage, will conduce to a happy
after life. Let US at least" she con-
tinued, give some evidence of the
confidence we profess in each other"
He told his story honestly, and with
thoroughness, for he was truthful
man. For awhile she sat, regaining
decent composure, then with a tremu-
lous smile quivering over her face,
looked up.
Kiss me, dear" she murmured.
lie caught her up with a caress.
Listen now to me-" she told him,
and proceeded with her story. Plainly
and without circumlocution she spoke,
just as he had done, and waited on the
verdict.
His countenance expressed a strong
emotion; the skin upon the cheeks
was white with straining; and mis-
eyes cleaned sorrowfully.
"Well?" she Queried.
Il am stunned" he answered. ''Let
me walk"
She waited with sorrowful spirit
for his return, but only a note was
brought, saying that they had made
a mistake, and had better part. His
spirit, he mentioned, was writhing in
agony, and he was going abroad, in
an effort to forget.
Far into the distant wilds he wan
dered, struggling with the melancholy
desolation of his thoughts, the pic
tured image of his shattered happi-
ness continually pursuing him. A
wild uneasiness possessed his mind,
and grew with the lapse Of time, into
an intolerable yearning for the wom-
an he had repudiated. Finally there
came time when he cast what he
called his honor to the winds, and
journeyed to the place that knew her;
determined to pardon, since he could
not forget.
Arriving in due time, Dick descend
ed, with well simulated composure
from the cars, and proceeded to the
house. She blushed at the vivacity
OF his greeting.
How kind of you" she anticipated
him, "to come and congratulate me
in person. l was not aware that you
ow Of my approaching marriage.
IS, tomorrow. l am really very busy
0w, but we would rejoice to see you
at the wedding. In the morning at
ten"
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