Evening star., 1915-03-21


take that Western work that has been
offered me, and go away into new scenes.
But you must stay here at home with your trouble.
see that. You couldn't go away; at least, you
wouldn't"
"No. There's Father. There's-alwavs Aurora
They'll need me more than ever"
"Yes. Well, you are brave You always have been
since you We're little thing l remember"
"Sshh! They're coming!'
TT was true Ncedham and Aurora were ascending
the terrace stairs. They arm in arm, keeping
perfect STEP moving proudly, happily, as princes of
freer time might have marched in rmphal procession.
Florence rose to meet them. "Ny dear" she said to
her sister, her voice vibrating it seemed, some fine
silver wire of emotion, II going to spare you any
any confession. l know-Robert knows too--that
you and Earl love each other We are sorry that YOU
couldn't have told Why should you hide any
thing from us who love you' Can't you trust us?
Don't you know that love has to deny self9"
ooh, Florence, Florence!' cried the girl half laugh
ing, half crying. "'rhat's where you wrong. Oh,
Earl, isn't that where she is wrong? What do you
know about love, if you say that, Flo? Not to
deny but to take, that is love,-to let everything,
everybody, go,-not to what happens,--not to
mind what anybody thinks right not to worry about
what is wisc-but just to love, love, love That's
what love MEANS dearest, dear girl! Oh you haven't
loved yet! Don't think it-dont dare to think it!'
She snatched her sister to her, and held her for a
moment in convulsive embrace. Then she turned to
Robert Oden.
"And you know nothing about it either Bob dear
You must forgive me if I-f perhaps | have made
you feel alitte lonely You'll get it, Bob, be-
you haven't really loved either. Of course
know you think you have, and you think too that I
loved you but never sure, not quite sure. That
is, I'm sorry promised you. But you urged me 50!
No, never was quite sure, really And now know
by the differencc!'
She turned toward her lover, sparkling like star
and he caught her hand and lifted it with speechless
rejoicing to his lips.
W1HEN the bceches were raining their golden
leaves Earl Nccdham married Aurora Copcy
There no bridesmaids; for Aurora, being of
mind to inct unnecessary cruelty would not ask her
sister to serve her, and would have maids at ALL
But she needed none Her beauty and her happiness
required them neither as fos COMPLIMENTS She
shone tender, ardent eager from her bridal white,
refuting all pessi1nsn, all doubt AS for Needhan, he
looked he might justify his brides expectations
Florence sitting in her conspicuous place. controlled
and at ease to all outward seeming, compelled all
thoughts of self to shrink into the background. What
place there for cnvyings and eaousies at this
bright celebration of love?
hare found him avhom my son lo7etM held him and
7poMd not let him 90 until had brought him into my
mothers honsei
Who is this that coueth out Of the acdeyness like pillars
of smoke, beyfnnied avih mvrh and franknccne, 7ph
all the bosvders Of The merchant?
Ny beloped is ache and rnddy; his locks black as
a rasen:
His mouth is most ssceet; yea he is altogether opely
Were these the words that were being chanted?
They the words that throbbed through the heart
of the silent girl sitting in the chance She seeing
the bridegroom with the eyes of his BRIDE So she said
to herself again and again. through the stound of her
hearts sorrow. With the eyes of his bride!
dearly beloved gathered together here in the