Year: 1879

her identity


As may be readily imagined. l va,
Lot long in seeking an Introduction TO
her. If. on her part. she recognized me,
she maintained her composure simira-
bly,. A small red spot, rising to her
cheek and fading instantly, was the
only sign Of anxiety that l could de-
tect.


II had thought her beautiful in her
ugly male attire two years before.
found her doubly 50 now. The express
sion OF care and grief had passed out
ot her face. but it had left its traces in
her soft eve and in the t,emulous out.
line OF her mouth. An air Of quiet
thoughtfulness-the repose Of . soul
heavily chastened with sorrow-hsd
supreme charm for me.


had not been sitting near her ten
minutes before it became painfully ap-
parent to me that my solitary life was
. very cold aud selfish one. This bean.
ti!ul girl had lived and loved and suf.
fered for another. II her experience
had been sad one. it had likewise
been noble. Somehow my adventure
with her that memorable night seemed
to give me q right to her regard. Per
hsps it was because had never forgot
en- her, and that the simple memory Of
her bad kept her always close to me.


BE that as i. may. when 1 left her
that night it was in a very unhappy
frame Of mind Emotions had been
aroused in me that would not 10 put
asleep again. For the first time in my
life l knew what love meant-love for
q large hearted. noble woman.


had hoped that had secured the
means Of familiar intercourse with
Miss Lee. by which might be abled
to enlarge my Acquaintance with her
But soon found that I was mistaken.
Converse with her l might. but not
freely. Enter her house when and go
often as chose. but her sympathy not
at all. She seemed to hold me firmly
q, distance. With all my efforts l
could not even establish cool friend.
chip between US.


Did she remember me then, and hate
me for my knowledge of that one dark
event in her past history? 1t seemed
50, indeed. Yet was she blind Could
she not see that loved herr Or was
it because. while sacrificing herself for
her fathers sake, | had inflicted the
wound whose scar she would carry TO
the grave, Either way, | was supreme
iy unhappy.


Six months elapsed before l summon
ed up the courage to put her feelings
toward me to the test One afternoon
/ entered firmly resolved to declare my
love for her. and abide the result. l
could NOT be more wretched than l vas
and my love might at least teach her
to respect me.


She was alone when entered. Some
thing in my face must have alarmed her
for she rose hastily, and won,d have
left the room had l not called her
back


Julia Windsor" said calmly, will
you hear me.'


That is not my namo.' she faltered,
turning very white.


No; but it was your name that night
in the far west. when you pointed q
pistol at my head and demanded my





She made no reply for moment but
stood with her face avertcd; then she
TUNED and confronted me with a ges-
ture OF contempt


Yes, l do remember she answered.
passienately. Am likely to forget
it while this, inflicted by your hands.
remains?' She pushed back her hair
and laid her finger upon the scar upon
her temple. You struck me down. put
to pay me for my wound you left your
money in my pocket. 1t saved my IA
tbe''s life-ior that thank you. But
you may cancel oil. Go tell the world
what you know. Wake the tongue of
slandcr against me. Say that once upon
time lived in abject poverty, under
an assumed name. and that to succor q
perishing father robbed passengers
uyon the road in male attire I do not
fear you"


You need fear nothing" answered
quietly. except that l shall love you
too much for your noble sacrifice"


Love me- she echoed, looking ct
me suddenly with filing eyes. II
thought that you despised me for my
unwomsnly act"


Then you wronged me deeply"
returned. approaching and taking her
hand. MY remem brance Of that night
is full Of admiration and respect. Since
l have known you intimately. I have
learned to love you-how truly I have
no words to say"


But l threatened you with pistol"
she answered, demurely.


1T was harmless" returned, emil
ing. Il kept it have it at home now"


'.Do you remember the handkerchief
with which you bound my head ?" she
asked shyly "Mors faithful to the
spirit of that night than you. l have
always kept it near me. l have it now"


Julia" said l earnestly. "suswer me
truly. why"


Because" she returned, lifting her
sof, eJes to mine. IL loved you from
that hour. When l saw you again my
love took new strength. and though l
felt that you despised me. 1t remained
unshaken, as i. shall to my dying hour"


My darling" said stopping to kiss
her upturned face. ''on that night you
robbed me Of more than ny purse.
You made wholly yours my healt. my
life. my future happiness.