Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-10-16

strange, unaccustomed burdens.
She began to SPEAK in a strange, tone
less voice.
81 don't know what I'm gcinE to do.
Ever since l. was a little girl the9e was
Enoch. l never had anybody else be-
longing to me, only l never missed
them, for l had him."
She stretched out her hands as n
child might have done and raised her
face to the man beside her as if IL
appeal for help and guidance. He took
her fingers between his own with II
swift grasp, caught her in his arms,
and kissed her.
"Dorcas, tell me, tell me the truth.
Do you love me?"
Their eyes met, and the girl under
stood. A b~ewildering happiness which
TRANSPORTED life thTobbed through her
heart and body. Merry's face was
luminous, his eyes shone, he seemed
TRANSPORTED, in one abrupt moment,
from a l~istless visionary to a man
alive with manly vitality.
GOICdS HSdIu- llS uuOLI6uLo I1ChSu
out by the little gilt clock on the man
tel. Time did not count. The world
had changed. She realized what hap
piness meant, a happiness which
closed a door upon every intolerant
| thing in the world. She remembered
how in the play she had simulated,
night after night, the joy of a woman
ae che -o1k h1r I1xor Che hod Snonf
days in working Up that semblance OF
radiant gladness. She had played the
scene many times to an outburst Gf
applause, now she smiled, it seemed 70,
pale and Intellectual to her today.
Andrew put his fingers under her
chin, raised her face, and looked into
her eyes.
Dearest" he asked, "are you sure
sure that you love me?"
Yes" she whispered.
Listen, don't answer for a minute.
I want you to understand. l would
not be satisfied unless l have every
thing. l want you to trust me, to be-
lieve in me, and to love me as a wom-
an like you could love a man. One
hight JIM o6O, L h00 49,
heart to ask you this. That night
felt like a man who, lonely and cold,
tramps through the streets Of a city
looking into firelit, happy homes. That
night l wanted your love, your faith
yourself. You know the night mean.
when you pulled me out of hell and
set my feet on the high road. Then
you might have given me pity, per
haps-"
Dorcas interrupted him. She put
up her hand and pushed aside the lock
of hair which had strayed ove his
forehead.
Il do o think, then, it would have
been pity-alone," she confessed.
He took her in his arms again. "A
man ought to have pride and manli'
ness enough" he said passionately, "to
want his wife to love him without one
touch of pity. And yet, | have wanted
you so long. l have not a host Of
friends, like some men. | am lonely
Lie has been SO empty for me. | want
a home, where a wife is waiting to
welcome me-and little children, dear
He lifted her hand and kissed it. You
would think me a foolish fellow if
confessed the dreams have had.
have dreamed of you opening the door
of our home, of you coming to meet
me with a smile and outstretched
arms. l have dreamed of feeling your
kiss upon my lips, of holding yor
close to my heart as l do now. l have
f1aliCh Iraaro lkc
these" he laughed TREMENDOUSLY, since
that night in November, and have
scarcely dared to hope that you even
believed in me-"
Dorcas smiled into his eyes. 81 have
always believed in you. / never lost
faith in you or in your genius fol
one moment. And" she paused as i
making confession. Il have loved yor
for a long time, ever since that night
the same night, when you came bacl
and | was so happy"
That night" said Andrew. was thu
miracle moment of my life"
WAS it SO wonderful as that?" she
whispered.
when / think, dearest, of what yot
nave StOOu lOI " me-, II 10 dSiS.
ut is an everyday miraclei"
There are no everyday miracles.
said Merry. Then he kissed he
again.
She turned away from him to stare
out at the window again. On the side
walks the rush of city life went Oh
unanimously. Half an hour befor'
she had thought the street sordid ant
ugly. 1t had changed. The stree
lights, now clear and white, wer'
circled about by lovely halos. TIL
voices of the children were sweete
and gentler. Next door the servant
who was still at work, sang a liltin;
Irish ballad. Through it ran a con
slant iteration of MY W sweet lad.
"Dorcas," Merry spoke h~esitatingly
you said you trusted me?"
Il do" The girl raised her hea'
with a quick gesture.
81 cannot explain now" he began
Il cannot ask you to be my wife unit
something which looks like an ute
tangle has been Strengthened out Cal
you go on trusting, even if | canno
EXPLAIN"
YES" Dorcas laughed. 81 can g
on trusting you indefinitely"
Don't" he cried, don't ~say-indef
nitely. l want you now. darling. and
forever"