The Mystery at Grassy Spring

"You could not offend me, Edith," he said; "that would be
impossible, and if I am sometimes could an abstracted, it is
because I have just cause for being so. I am very unhappy, Edith,
and your visits here to me are like oases to the weary traveller.
Were it not for you I should wish to die; and yet, strange as it
may seem, I have prayed to die oftener since I knew you as you now
are than I ever did before, I committed a fatal error once and it
has embittered my whole existence. It was early in life, to,
before I ever say you, Edith."

"Why Mr. St. Claire," she exclaimed, "you were nothing but a boy
when you came to Brier Hill."

"Yes, a boy," he exclaimed, "or I had never done what I did; but
it cannot be helped, and I must abide the consequences. Now let us
talk of something else. I am going away to-morrow, and you need
not come again until I send for you; but whatever occurs, don't
think I am offended."

She could not think so when she met the olden look she ahs missed
so long, and wondering where he could be going, she arose to take
her leave. He went with her to the door, and wrung her hand
nervously, bidding her in heart a final farewell, for when they
met again a great gulf would be between them,--a gulf he had
helped to dig, and which he could not ass.