The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-02-28

Hene am born gambler George. | felt the demon in my heart yesterday noon. l was at the Fifh Avenne hotel, and when the Santa Fe dFopp.d to B and my broker said 1t might go to 3S and knew you would probably oe ruined. would have given nay soul for stake to help lou--to help us.s
 ~You did sen me $io ooo4S
 Sss, S2~ : .> house hvs r, and raised SIS 900 on that. l sent you ten. 1 took it down to your office myself, and stood outside while my messenger de. hvered it to you. l stayed down town until the stock began to go up, Then bought as much Santa fe as could my self. You see how wild ! was. We would have been poor together. wouldn't we, Georgeg But 1t all came cut right"
 You made yourself homeless to save me-" said George.
 "WhAt of that. You are all my world l vas playing for you, George and my hte-and my soul. You dou't know me. You don't know my love for you. Home. lesss What is home, fit were palacef What is home without the love of the man a woman loves ?" Harriet lay quiet in Georges arms, and did not even look at him as she spoke. She seemed to be vindicating herself to some third party. George loved and admired and pi,ied her with an intensity of feeling he had never before experienced. She put her arms around hts neck and kissed him "Do you love me. Georgea' she whispered.
 "God knows love you, Harriet"
 "Am smart enough to belong to you. Georee2 Do you wish l was your wife ? Call me your wite-sav my own dear wife to me just once, George"
 George was silent.
 What is your wife's name P she con tinued in her soft whisper. Tell me her name2 You must tell me-" Harriet said as George continued silent
 Eva" said George.
 "Say 'mv dear Eva, my own innocen, wife say it once to me, George."
 For Gods sake, Harriet, why do you ask me to say that? You know love you better than all the world beside and wish you were my wife. wish could hold you as l do hold you, and love you as do love you. and not feel tha, was guilty of the deepest baseness and in- gratitude to you, Harriet, the tenderest and most generous woman in all this world, and to my wife, who never de- served anything save worship from me"
 Harriet lay back in Georges arms wearily, and turned het eyes away from his tace.
 Listen to me-" she said. "i had a husband. thought loved him before marriage. Alter we were married tound what love really was. l adored my husband a, frs; had :osae sease, and kept part 0! my worship from his knowledge. Then as time passed, and 1 felt secure in his tenderness, grew care less. lived only in his presence. My whole life was one long hour of intense fondness for him. He wearied of me day by day say him grow cold and in- different. never showed him ho~ bitter it all was. l kept smile for him always. But returned rem me wholly al last. think he loathed me. But l had no thought of another love. made up my mind 70 wait for time to bring him back to me; pictured an old age when he would need my love and care, and should be dear to him again." Tears chased each other down Harriet's cheeks and dripped from the beads of the veil. George sat silent, and watched them form little pool in one of the wrinkles of his coat sleeve, " Finally" continued liar. riet, a day came when we had an un- pleasant feeling over trihe. He used word did not like. All of my love froze in my heart grew cold and hard-yes, and guilty, too, in one instant. You men do not know how one word can crush every good thought in a woman's heart. The next day answered your personal Since then-n no matter, am here"
 Harriet" said George, ~ill not speak of love. It IS not word that am good enough to say to you. You have not sinned. You have no deed to repent. Your good name is untouched. am a villain. Go back to your husband. Never sec me again. Keep your self-respect. It is more than all the world else to woman"
 linen you do not love me, even a little ] am not dear to you as women are dear to their lovers ?"
 Do no,2 1 say this to you because l do love you with all the passion l can fec. because cannot touch you without desiring you-and because 1 am un- worthy of you"
 George caught Harriet close, and pressed his mouth to her lips.
 "You are crushing the Easter hat" she whispered Watt a moment"
 With trembling hands Harriet un- fastened her bonnet, and despite the many feet on iron decks, the rattle of trucks and the noise of machinery, George heard the tinkle of the jet beads as the F. aster hat touched the cabin floor. Harriet flung her arms about Georges neck, and kissed him. In the dim light George was uncertain even then of the features of his wife. Eva-Eva is this you r he said, utterly amazed.
 |" told you your Harriet would bs gone forever when the veil was lifted - speak to me, George! tell me you love mccall me your wife, your wife v said she wildly, pressing his head to her bosom, and kissing his cheeks and his forehead while the tears fell like rain.
 "My own dear, dear, precious wife," said George, "my Eya-my Harriet.