Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-09-26


she had met Barton Conway.
Old Farmer Gray had died, and she
who had been mother to Leslie in her
childhood had come to live with her IN
her stately home.
James Gray had left the farm also, and
was pushing his way in the mercantile
world.
One evening, when lights flashed
from the windows of Leslie's home,
and soft music stole out on the per
fumed air, Leslie stood talking to Bar
ton Conway.
AT a little distance from them stood
James Gray, Watching with passionate
eyes every look of Leslie's face.
Standing there watching her, he felt
if she should become Barton Conway's
wife-oh, God /! he could not think Of
it. From the day he had carried her,
senseless In his arms. hope had sprung
up anew in his heart.
When the great pain of her despair
was over she would turn, perhaps, to
him, and if the earnest devotion of his
life could teach her to forget the past,
he would be rewarded 1t was not pos
sible that his great love could fail to win
some love In return.
But when his hopes were highest
wealth came to Leslie, and she LETT the
home that had sheltered her childhood,
and he knew she would meet Barton
Conway again.
She was SO beautiful then. with her
eyes raised to Barton Conway's face,
her lips parted in smiles. that it was
more than James Gray could bear; so
he turned away, his face strangely
white, and wandered out of the gay
rooms, and passed into the conserva-
tory, and stood leaning against a flower
wreathed column
How long he stood there he could
not tell, but voices near him made him
start.
He was standing in the shadow of
the pillar, as Leslie and Barton Conway
came over.
Before he could go forward, he
heard Bartons passionate, musical
voice.
Leslie-Leslie viii you give me
the love again that you once gave me?
Oh. my love tell me you do not forget
the old days, when you let me kiss your
lips p
He had no thought of failure She
had loved him then, she must love him
now, and so he essayed to draw her
towards him.
She drew back haughtily.
g You say you love me?' she said
quietly.
have always loved you," he said,
&" even when left you
And Leslie knew that he spoke truly,
knew that he had loved her as far as
he was capable of loving anything but
himself.
She knew that he loved her better
now than ever, for he had given his
love full sway, and this stately, proud
faced woman had won a deeper love
from him than the simple girl Of
eighteen
Were she to lose wealth and position
now, he would still seek her for his
wife. He would not again give up the
only woman that had ever caused his
heart to thrill
Leslie, give me my answer" he said,
passionatelv.
Your answer" she said slowly, is
this: "Sooner would go back to the
obscurity of my old life than become
your wife. Much as I loved you then,
[ despise you now My love died years
ago-for [ do not deny that l loved
you but not forever could | love any
one SO unworthy of woman's love as
you are y
Leslie !''
Miss Chetwynd," she said, laughing
lightly.
His face grew white.
You have triAed with me-" he said,
and [ know the reason you love
another"
You presume" Leslie said coldly.
may presume, but I speak the
truth, for YOU love James Gray. Per-
haps Miss Chetwynd will return to Leslie
Gray again"
You have strangely forgotten your
self, Mr. Conway" she said, her red lips
curled with contempt, and without an
other word he left her.
After he had gone, Leslie stood mo-
ment silent, and then murmured half
aloud
/" Leslie Gray again! I wonder will it
CFSl NC SiIlO tlItu odlIlcS OIdy oGOOu
before her
Leslie" he said, Il heard all that
passed between you and Barton Con-
way. Leslie, darling, [ love you-have
loved you from childhood. Oh, my
love, my darling! can you forget all
past pain and be happy in the love [
offer your"
a have already forgotten it." she
said, a red flush staining her fair face,
and-and-"
"You love me, darling, now-love me
as much as you ever loved Barton Con-
way?"
She smiled softly.
The love | give you," she said, 8" is
the love of my woman's heart love
that can never die Or grow less. Oh,
James how could / ever have loved
Barton Conway?"
There was no one looking, SO he drew
her to him, and kissing her scarlet lips,
whispered
Tell me, darling, when will you be-
come Leslie Gray again?'