按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the consideration that weighed most with him was this： they urged
upon him in every possible way that hopes had been raised in the
heart of the young lady herself； and although he was always very
reticent in regard to her。 I think she seconded the family scheme；
for the marriage would have joined two very large estates。 Although
my heart often stood still with fear while he apparently wavered a
little； I can honestly say I left him free to make his own choice。
They persecuted and urged him to that extent； and so confused his
sense of right and wrong； that； in order to escape from his dilemma；
he managed to get a lieutenant's commission in the army in spite of
his physician's protest； and before his family realized what they
regarded as an immeasurable disaster he was in the Union ranks at
the front。 It HAS proved an immeasurable disaster to me。
〃He came to see me before he went south； and told me that he preferred
death to any other bride than myself。 In sad foreboding I begged
him to give me up rather than go into that awful war with his
imperfect health。 But he went。 The rest of my story is soon told。
Life in the field seemed to brace him up every way。 He wrote me
that he had lived hitherto in books and dreams； and that contact
with strong； forceful men was just what he needed。 He wrote almost
daily； and I lived on his letters。 He grew strong and heroic in his
exposure to danger and hardship； and won promotion on the simple
ground of merit。 At last； after an arduous campaign； he was slightly
wounded and greatly worn； and he received a long leave of absence
after the troops went into winter quarters。 He wrote then that he
was coming home to marry me； and no power on earth could prevent it
except my 'own little self；' as he expressed itoh！ I can repeat
all those letters word for word。 He wrote me the very day and hour
on which he would start； and I have waited ever since； and I have
vowed before God that I will wait till he comes。〃 And she bowed her
head； her eyes were tearless； and she went on still more hurriedly。
〃I afterwards learned from a brother officer； and also from the
papers； that he left his regimental headquarters at the time he said；
but that he had to ride through a region infested with guerrillas；
and that is absolutely all I know。 I am sure he wrote to his family
of his intentions in regard to me； but they have never recognized
me in the slightest way。 The young lady to whom they would have
married him wore mourning a year； and then was led to the alter by
another man。 But； as my Harrold said； God mated our souls； and I
shall wait till he joins our lives。 Your name startled me greatly
when I heard it last June for the first time since I had spoken
it myself to one who has seemingly vanished but is ever present to
me； and while you do not resemble him in appearance to any close
extent； there is at times something in your expression that is
singularly like his； and this fact must explain and excuse all the
weak exhibitions of myself this summer。 And now； my friend； permit
me to say that your rather ardent words on one or two occasions
never deceived me for a moment。 You mistook your warm sympathy
for love。 I； who had seen and known the love of Harrold Fleetwood；
could not make such a mistake。 You do love Ida Mayhew； and she is
worthy； and in no possible way could you do so much to add to my
happiness； now and always； as by aiding that beautiful girl develop
her new and beautiful life。 Harold Van Berg； I would regard it as
an insult if you ever spoke to me of love and marriage after what
I have told you to…day。 I shall always value your friendship very；
very much； for I am now alone in the world； and I think I have
found in you a friend in whom I can trust absolutely； and to whom
I could go in case there should be need。 Probably there never will
be； for； in my simple； busy life； I have few wants。 You may tell
Mr。 Stanton what you think best of my story after I am gone。 I
regret unspeakably that he should think of me as he does； for I have
learned to respect him as a true； noble…hearted gentleman。 It is
one more of life's strange mysteries。 Mr。 Van Berg；〃 she said；
springing up； 〃you have made to me one pledge that you can keeponly
one。 You have promised to 'make me happy in my own way。' Brave
Ida Mayhew caught me in her arms when I fainted last Tuesday； and
she watched at my side till morning。 Yes； she did； the noble and
generous girl！ But I promised myself the pleasure of rewarding
her； if possible。 Now； if you wish to do something for me that
demands prompt； heroic action； scramble into a buggy and let one of
Mr。 Burleigh's men drive you to that old garden before she leaves
it。 She found her new spiritual life there； let her also find her
happy earthly life in the same loved place。 Not a word； but go at
once if you have any regard for my feelings and wishes。 As I have
told my story； your sympathetic face has been more eloquent than
any words； and leaves nothing to be said。 I refuse to see you or
speak to you again till you have fulfilled the only promise I ever
asked or wished you to make；〃 and she left him and quickly disappeared。
Ten minutes later Van Berg was being driven towards Mr。 Eltinge's
place； at a speed which threatened； in case of accident； to place
him beyond the use of crutches。 As he rode along in front of the
house he saw that Ida's old horse and low phaeton were still in the
shade of the trees； therefore； dismissing his driver； he hobbled
with singular alacrity across the lawn and suddenly presented
himself before Mr。 Eltinge and Ida； much to the surprise of the
latter； who hastily wiped her eyes and sought to hide the fact that
her thoughts had not been very cheerful。
〃Pardon me；〃 he said； 〃but I left my sketchbook here some days since；
and I especially wished to bid Mr。 Eltinge good…by and to thank
him with all the warmth and fulness that can be put into words。〃
Mr。 Eltinge was cordially and gravely kind in his reception； but
Ida kept her face averted； for she knew that the traces of grief
were too apparent。
After a few moments Mr。 Eltinge said： 〃Since this is your last
visit； I cannot think of letting either of you go back before dinner；
and； if you will excuse me for a little time； I soon can see that
our simple arrangements are made。〃
〃I shall be very glad to remain；〃 said Van Berg； so promptly that
Ida turned and looked at him with surprise。 She was still more
surprised when； as soon as they were alone； he hobbled to the rustic
seat and sat down beside her。
〃Miss Ida；〃 he said； 〃you have always given me such admirable advice
that I come to you again。 Miss Burton refuses me absolutely and
irrevocably； and in language that renders it impossible for me
ever to address her again on the subject。 You thus perceive what
a forlorn object is before youa rejected man and a cripple！〃
〃Miss Burton refused you！〃 excla