Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-17

sometimes she thought of the time when he
must go away The thought always brought a
| quick. sharp pain with it.yet only for a moment
rms love Is mine whether he goes or stays
nothing can take that from me" she reasoned
and the spirit within her looked out throu rh
her lovely eyes. until all who saw her remarked
how young and beautiful Gertrude Chester was
growing.
Breeze Berton had been member Of the Ches-
Ter household six months when change
crert over him. He grew grave moody and
absent-lninded
When questioned by Gertrude if he were i'll.
| or IN trouble. he answered that his business
matters annoyed him. nothing more Yet. as
the weeks went by. Gertrude knew that there
lcdS something more
a nameess terror seized her. fear that he
had discovered her secret, aud was angry or IS
pleased. she drew more within herself and
Treated him almost w\h coldneSS
week later he announced that he was going
| away.
They were quite alone-John Chester sleeping
| heavily in his room.
For iongi" she questioned as she bent over
| her sewing
| He had often been absent for brief JOURNEYS
week, or ten days.
For good" he replied; 81 have thrown I'D
my government husiness-ny land agency
affairs-and ! am going back to PbjiatIelDhia to
enter into business there"
! Indeed" she answered very calmly; s.when
ala you decide upon this! and why! something
must have occurred"
Yes. something has occurred" he replied
May ask what! or would you rather not tell
ne"
! Her heart was beating wildly a sicktninr
fear that he referred to TER love for him made
her feel faint and dizzy. But he was not look
ing at her.
81 would rather rot-nay. must not tell
you, be responded at would pain and anger
you"
She knew now that he did refer to her love
for him. That he had discovered it. and was
driven away by it. A blaze of angry pride
brought the blood back to her cheeks She
would convince him that he was mistaken. if
the effort killed her
IF it concerns myself, or my husband" she
said. IL insist upon knowing. think it is my
right 30 Know
1T concerns YOU both vitality" he answered.
yet unless you insist, would rather 90 away
without telling you"
But do insist
He showed back the chair in which he had
been sitting and arose ana came and stood he
fore her with folded arms
''"ell. then" he said in a low. slow way-''I
am going away because lore you with all nv
heart and soul Gertrude. Hour by hour day
by day. week by week, it has crept upon me
unawaras. | had never cared for any woman
but my mother and sister and / did not know
what was coming to me, Grrtrude-I swear it
or | would never have allowed it to assume
such strength. But it is herein my heart-a
terrible, furious passion that makes me hate the
man whom YOU call DISQUALIFICATION makes me
suffer the a-ones Of the damned if he touches
your hand or if You smile in his face | am
only happy when ] am with YOU demonstrating
your voice, drinking in the beauty of your face
A bright look. OF one acc dental touch of YOUR
ringers makes me delirously happy for hours.
! Every day the tbling grow upon me-strOnycr
more furious, more terrible. Do you wonder
| now that l am going away, or do you bid me
stay ?"
He paused and nothing broke the silence be-
tween them tut the heavy breathing of John
Chester.
She had covered her face with her hands when
| he began to speak. Her heart ceased beating
her whole being thrilled with the most eA-
quisite delight as she listened to his words-a
delight that was almost agony. He lnved her
he loved. All. now she was ready to die
lie reached forward and took her bands from
her face, She drew them quickly away and
arose and faced him, white and beautiful AS a
goddess.
NO" she said. edo not stay-gO. It is best
But am not angry with you "a YOU feared-I-
L. tod love You. No: do not speak-do not
touch me. Breeze. Let this love remain as holy
AUD beautiful as its source which is divine. Let
it not be profaned. TO, and will stay But
the love is ours. and VIII help and strengthen
and rl0riy our lives always"
Yes. ana some tiine--sone time, Gertrude
COD VIII give you to me. feel it. l know it.
| can wait Good night"
He turned and left her and the next day he
said "oOd-by to her in the presence OF her nus
band; white circle about his mouth and his
aVerted eyes alone spoke his agony.
He was suffering intensey-it was a young
mans first passion. He was twenty -four,
land had never loved any woman save his
mother and sister until now All his
| heart and soul had gone out to this mature
and beautiful and refined woman who was six
years his senior.
He never liked to think of the weeks which
% hnu fun e
keeneSt torture and misery. There was no SAVIOR
In lite-the city sights and sounds rnaddened
him, the faces of old friends were hateful to him
Every night he dreamed of the broad Iowa
prar'es ana feit the free winds blowing in his
face and heard the sound OF the reapers In the
, fields and saw the glory of one woman eyes
shining over all
He wrote occasional conventional letters to
the Chfsters, letters which all the world might
see. Yes they were life and light and food TO
Gertrude. She read between the lines. Her
days were not SO full OF misery and pain as his
Her love was an exalted sort of ecstacy which,
sustained her in his absence as we'll as In his
presence.
''He is mine, here. there. in life or in death" "
she reasoned. 1t Is a spiritual union which
does not depend upon physical presence. Moth
| Ing can divide us-nOw, or ever"
She believed in this fully and was happy
She wrote in answer to his letters but her
eplStles were quite az proper as his own She
and she felt sure Rreece would understand all
that she left unsad
The months went by and slipped into years
TWO years had passed when John Chester went on
protrartr'i land hunt to Dakota. Gertrude
had mentioned the fact in a recent letter. BY
return mail cane one from Breeze. few brief
passionate lines. begging her to allow him to
see h"r-he could not. wOuid not wait longer
She was filled with a wild longing to see him,
to hear his voice, to look into his eyes as she
read the letter
She pressed it to her lips over and over, weep
Ing passionate tears. but she wrote him a calm
refusal to his request
1T is not right. or wise, or best" she said.
"COme when he returns, but not during his
absence"
Breeze Berton's jealous hatred OF the man
VINO called her wife prevented him from accept
Ing the conditional invitation. He did not go
He wrote lest frequently after that, but he
sent her papers and books. She always felt
herself remembered, even when six months
passed with no letter.
And so two more years passed away. and
then John Chester's robust frame became the
prey OF pneumonia He battlcd with death
| maniuliy. and succeeded in gaining reprieve
He arose from his bed the shadow OF his former
self, only to take to it again after few
months: at the end Of another year he died Of
consumption.
All that tender nursing and constant care