The Hero

gain to breathe the buoyant air of heaven. He imagined that his depression would vanish like an evil spirit exorcised so soon as ever he got from Mary his release; bu

rivolous reason, but with sorrowful reluctance, and full knowledge of

ad before him the announcement to his mother

putting new stamps into his album. He chattered delightedly over his treasures, getting up now and then gravely to

dge Wells who has such a

the other day, but it's not ne

ine?" replied the Colonel, with some envy, for t

sons, reassuringly; "but not

gether a good collection of stam

up when Ja

ose Free States you brought m

with the satisfied look with which

l of Jamie to bring th

y'll be valuable in a year or two. That's what I always say with regard to postage stamps; you can't waste your money. Now jewellery, for instance, get

's Mary th

ving a long t

asked the Colonel, with

N

ngs weren't like this when we were young. Why, Jamie, your mother and I

ste, Richmond," said M

ime to repent of it, my dea

it's too

ook her hand

e, Jamie, I don't think you'll have r

ichmond," replied Mrs. Par

to get married v

it. I want to see what the new generat

, Jamie has somet

her son, and was struck at last

t, Jamie?"

appointed. I'm so sorry-Mary and I a

in the room. The old Colonel lo

ean, Frances?"

not answer, and h

nest, Jamie? You'r

as the weaker of the two, and p

u, father. It's quite true-worse luck!

gagement with her after she's waited f

I no longer loved her. We should bot

self slowly, he turned ro

ie, what ha

'you think it's a step I should have taken lightly? I fe

lovers' quarrel, Frances. They've had a little tiff, and they say they'll never speak to one another aga

s mother to speak. She unders

afraid it's not t

loves him,

it. If I could only persuade myself that sh

izened and frail; the wisp of white hair that concealed his baldness fell forward grotes

it harder for me than possible. You talk to him, mother. Expl

t, with his head bent dow

say to Mary

exactly wh

you didn't

had

r th

without speaking, each one t

mustn't blame the boy. It's not his fault

me marry her with

as answered by

her. But what's to be done, I don't know. Po

y to see the great circle of confusion that he had caused. Mrs. Parsons

a little? Your father and I wo

, mo

ng her hands on his sho

her husband; he glanced up, and catching her eye, tried to s

be done,

shook his head w

ce in Jamie's feelings, but I fancied it would pass over. I believed it was only st

nces," said the old man at last, his voice t

it if he does

she's given him the best of her youth-and he jilts her

worn cheeks-the slow, sparse tears of

d. We're so ignorant of the worl

no fashions

liam. Perhaps he'll

sons. He was a bachelor, living in London, and con

talk to the boy be

let us sen

een in it so intricately woven that they could not realise the total over-throw. They felt as a man might feel who was crippled by a sudden accident, and yet still pictured his lif

libborn

ar

hich she had put on to hide her pallor

nd and see you quietly," she s

y, M

er tenderly. Mary pretended to laugh, and ha

ns. You mustn't do that.... Let

nel's hand, and g

?" he asked. "I c

o marry one another. I want to ask you not to think badly

king of you

e all right. I

what he's done, Mar

ered right. For my sake, don't think ill of him. He can't help it if he doesn't love me. I'm not very attractive; he mu

ie's been a good son to us; he's never given us any worry. We did want him to marry you. We're so fond of you, and

them. Don't be too distressed about it, and, above all things, don't

m now, when your heart m

sadly. "I can't help it now. Oh, I don't want him to suffer! His

Parson

nd he's behaved

not ask me for his release. But I couldn't mar

ed to love you, Mary

oping with all his might that I would refuse. He would have hated me. No; it'

resently Mary got up. "I must

ics," said Mrs. Parsons, wit

ted," returned Mary.

u will have to s

good. I was

yone else?" asked the Colonel. "Major Forsyth is coming do

over quickly while I have the courage. And it helps me to think I have s

eal of rea

eir friends! Oh, I didn't mean that! I don't want to be bitter.

f you without the sin

e into the room. He started when he saw her and turned red; but

been having a little c

," he answered, awkwardly. "

engagement. At all events, you have no reason to b

at his parents. His father did not speak, s

to be angry with you, Jamie.

ry kind

uld you? Ho