C02
THE WEST 8H011E.
arc indeed no strangers to each other," face, she turned quickly and disappeared
she answered, slow. " Often am I among the frees. Stanley, leaning lan.
tired, often unfortunate, and disoour- guidly upon one elbow, looked after her
aged; sometimes even discontent throws until lost to view, then dropping back
the shadow of her gloomy wing about me. upon the grass, stretched himself, onco
Yet, friend, never, in my darkest hours, more, full length, drew a long sigh, and
have I known a moment of such unrest muttered
as yours. Never have I felt that I would " A sweet, earnest little woman. But,
willingly exchange my busy, toiling life, oh dear! I'm too tired to even wonder
iU little joys and sorrows, its hopes, who she is. How well she talks; yet
fears, and aspirations, for an existence how painfully her logic grates upon my
.of idleness and sensuous enjoyment, weary sensibilities. Pshaw! I'll put
such as you describe. You are but the her out of my thoughts at once, and for
chance acquaintance of a moment, yet, ever. She is just the sort of a creature
somehow, I would fain hear you say, be- to march forever ahead of a fellow, shout
foro I leave you, that you will strive to ing back ' Excelsior! ' until fie drop dead
put such recreant fancies from yon, ere in his tracks. And after all, what is the
they pervert the highest and purest im spirit that animates and restrains her?
pulses of your manhood. What is there What is the theory that falls in such
in the existence of an idle voluptuary, beautiful shape from her guileless lips?
that is not contemptible? Yet, could Fallacy; nothing but fallacy: nothing"
your present dream be realized, what The words died away upon his lips,
would you be but the idlest of voluptu- his eyes closed wearily, and he lay si
aries? You are weary and worn at pres- lent A moment or two passed thus;
ent; you must rest rest long and well then he started, and became conscious
But when you feel the strength of your of some 6trange, intangible presence
manhood returning and reasserting it- near him a sweet, subtile, caressing
self; when your brain throbs to the birth presence, that soothed, even while it
of new thoughts and fresh impulses; startled, him. Soft fingers lifted the
and your veins surge once again with hair from his throbbing temples, with a
the vigor born of hope and purpose, touch that sent thrills to the center of
something very like gratitude to fate his being; a perfumed breath played
will blossom in your heart, that you are upon his cheek; a sweet voice sounded
still in this world where life is nothing in his ear: " You called me, and I am
without a battle. In that land of doke here. Arise, and come with me."
far niente, your imagination so fondly " Who are you?" he cried, starting
pictures, how long, think you, could the up and gazing eagerly about
kiss of passion, and the lullaby of idle- No form was to bo seen, but the thrill
ncs, hold your soul a captive to your ing fingers still toyed gently with his
senses? How long ere, like the mon- hair, and the same voice murmured in
arch in manacles, your spirit would reply
chafe beneath the enforced inaction? " I am she whom you have this day
How long-but there I must leave you so earnestly invoked. I am the spirit of
or my whole boisterous band will be repose, come from my distant realm, in
upon you, and then farewell to your answer to your prayer. Poor, weary
dreams of dolcefar mWi" being, come, and I will give you rest"
With a smile that seemed to illumi- A soft hand closed over his in a firm
nite every feature of the dark, little clasp, and yielding to an influence he