Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1917-01-24

somehow before another week 1t was
| rumored he had been for some time
engaged to Miss Kate Moore. Clyde
! saw her in church, a tall, elegant wom-
an, stylishly dressed, and with the air
of princess. She had no further call
to meet Mr.. Bruce, and he had no ex-
cuse for coming to her uncle's. So,
that was the end.
All March, Clyde grew pale and thin.
The warm days in April exhausted the
little remaining strength, for the con-
fict she had been going through had
not left her much.
DR.. McKinstry, in his slow, cautious
way, fathomed the secret. She little
guessed then the keen pang it. gave
him, and how gladly he would have
made her happy over the ruins of his
own heart. For it had come to that.
Clyde Donovan was the dearest thing
life held for him. Dying for the lack
of little love, when he had so much
to give her! He tried to rouse her in
many ways. She was patient and
grateful, but she did not care to live.
The rest of death seemed to promise
so much.
He brought her some roses one day,
crimson with the deepening breath Of
summer. She was alone in the shady
parlor, lying on the sofa. Her voice
was very sweet as she thanked him.
IF you would go out little way
with me-" he said. his eyes pleading
as strongly as his voice, 1T would do
you good"
You are kind: but I don't care
about it,
mo; that is the trouble. Clyde, do
you know you are sighting Gods best
gift to you-life and health"
rs it the best gift?" Her eyes wan
dered out to the blue sky.
YES; for with it He sends every
thing else. Dear child, are you treat
ing Him rightly, by thus refusing to
be comforted?"
Something in DR.. McKinstry's eyes
brought back thought Of the night
he had taken her to Bessie's-the
night she had first met Mr.. Bruce.
She took his hand and buried her soft
face in it. He felt what she was
scarcely conscious of-tears. And the
voice was broken with which she
said: "You know all?"
Il think l know ALL" His tones were
low, and wonderfully tender. They
thrilled her with a strange, quiet a.
surance deeper than friendship. She
even began to tremble for herself.
and how weak | have been?"
How weak you have been. The
strongest of us faint at trials, some
times. The wisest of us come to
places where we believe the sun will
never shine again. But God keeps
that, and the strength, and giveth lib
orally when we ask Him."
Il believe l never have. Oh, DR..
McKinstry-"
AS she raised her head he took her
in his arms. She made a faint strug-
gle, but it was of no avail.
Il know you love me" she began, in
a rapid, excited tone. II might have
guessed it before, If 1 had dared. l
am not worthy of it. And yet, don't
broke my heart When l found tina.
was false, I believe l said I would
trust no one-that there was no truth.
And yet don't know how far he was
to blame. He never said word but
what might have passed for friend
ship. l was so weak"
II watched it ALL thought he loved
you. l would have given you up, if he
had. But now dare to love again-to
hope a little. l am willing to take
what is left. I believe I can nourish
it into bloom and beauty
You are so good" That was all
she said for many minutes.
Much older; tried with many sor-
rows, yet still believing in happiness.
You can do so much for me. Can do
anything for you?"
YES she said, sometime, when
am stronger and better"
You must let me help you to grow
strong"
She promised at last that she would.
And all the rest of the summer he
watched her with tenderest care. Mr..
Bruce saw her growing radiant again
under the influence of truer and bet
ter love.