The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-05-07

ting on the airs of q Prince, while
George fretted out the ends of her blue
sash with her slender white fingers.
Every WE'LL" said Walter, tossing
the brown hair, which the damp even
ing air had made into soft brown rings,
from his forehead. George bowed.
If am ILL.," said he, land send for
you"
"rll never 60 to you, Walter Mars
ton, never"' interrupted the young
girl.
"Very WELL" came again from the
lips of Walter, as he turned half reluct-
antly away.
"Take this, if you pleaser' cried
George; and I could see her draw
hastily golden circlet from her finger.
"And this,'' snatching from her neck
a golden cross; Il want nothing. of
yours about me!'
"Do not dare to thrust such paltry
trifles in my face, George Abbott, or
even you may find that there is bound
to my endurance" said Walter.
As sat trying to soothe my per-
turbed thoughts back to the quiet chan
mel in which they were wont to flow, I
heard the quick step of Walter Marston
in the corridor that led to my room,
and before I could wipe the tears from
my eyes he raped hastily at my door.
81 am come to bid you goodbye, !"
he said, as l met him. II shall start
for home tomorrow"
asked, placing him in chair. 81
thought your visit was to have ended In
very different manner"
"Oh, there seems little use in re-
naming here longer" he replied. Il
am not feeling very strong yet, and a
home atmosphere is better than any
other for an invalid"
"In some cases, though l should
hardly think so in yours" answered.
evil Miss Abbott return to Cadlands
with you?''
81 think not" said he.
"And why?" 1 asked.
because, Elsa, she hates me, be-
cause she has never loved me-" he an
swered, with vehemence that quite
startled me.
1t was useless for me to try and con-
ceal from Walter my knowledge of
his quarrel with Georgia; so told him
as plainly and simply as could what
1 knew of it, begging him to be led by
a calm. cool judgment in the affair,
rather than the fierce, passionate coun-
settings of his meaner nature, which
threatened to overpower the good.
"But George does not love me-" said
he.
&" You are mistaken, Walter; she does
love you," replied. "She has been
hasty, even as you have been; but can
you not pardon her as you hope to be
pardoned?''
"Did you ever. love?'' he asked,
quickly, fixing his dark hazel eyes
upon my face, regardless of the ques-
ton I had asked him. sAnd if so,
would it have been possible for you
to allow such words to fall from your
lips, as fell from Georges this even
ingP"
az haze loved, Walter" I said, in a
quivering voice. 81 loved fervently,
and with all the strength of warm,
passionate heart; and more, I spoke
just such cruel words to the man I
loved as George addressed to you this
evening. My words were like keen steel
They ran between his heart and mine,
seyering them forever. That is why my
life is sad and lonely one. Oh, let it
be lesson to your
Tears shone in the dark eyes of Wal
ter, and with a rapid movement he was
by my side with outstretched hands,
saying:
"0h, Elsa! I have your secret at
last. Elsa, dear cousin Elsa, you once
loved my brother Robert! Donot shake
your head-I am sure of it; and that is
why you are moping your life away
here, and why Robert stays away from
home so long,
"Do not speak of this, Walter" 1
said, eagerly clasping his hands. "If
you have any regard for me do not speak
of it to-to-'
"Whom?'' he replied.
"To him." I replied.
"To Roberto said he.
I bowed my head.
cit shall be as you wish," he an
swered, very thoughtfully.
"And now let us talk of George" /
said, anxious to turn the conversation
into a new channel.
"And what of her?' asked Walter,
growing chilly as an iceberg at the mere
mention of her name.
She loves you,' repeated.
"That remains to be SEEM" was the
crustily-given reply.
"And may I prove it to you" /
asked. "Will you allow yourself to be
convinced?''
eff can nothelp it, most certainly"
was the answer.
"And will you trust everything to
me, and do as bid your
Even as you wish, Miss Counselor, -