CROSS-CURRENTS

They parted — a pallid, trembling I pair,

And rushing down the lane

He left her lonely near me there;

— I asked her of their pain.

“It is for ever,” at length she said,

“His friends have schemed it so,

That the long-purposed day to wed

Never shall we two know.”

“In such a cruel case,” said I,

“Love will contrive a course?”

“— Well, no... A thing may underlie,

Which robs that of its force;

“A thing I could not tell him of,

Though all the year I have tried;

This: never could I have given him love,

Even had I been his bride.

“So, when his kinsfolk stop the way

Point-blank, there could not be

A happening in the world to-day

More opportune for me!

“Yet hear — no doubt to your surprise -

I am sorry, for his sake,

That I have escaped the sacrifice

I was prepared to make!”