Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-07-15
Gales aud 5Sketthts.
FOUR WOMEN AND ONE NAN.
Continued from yesterday. }

The hope in the woman's eyes made her
more beautiful than ever.
II am so glad We have met" she said
simply but are you i'll ?" she added as
her swift glance took in the misery of his
face.
81 am sick unto death, Olive" was the
strange reply.
Then you have purposely avoided
me ?'' she said.
'.Purposely. But Olive beg of you to
tell me that you have changed. Do no,
let me leave you now, perhaps for the
last time that we shall ever meet, believ.
ing that you still-that you are still the
same"
Il am still the same. can never change
| Damon" the woman answered.
And you have been expecting me to
come to you? Oh, Olive, this is indeed
more than l can bear"
did you know that should expect
you?"
There was no assimilation here. II
would have been Notifying admission
tor most women. and it was a hard truth
for this one to utter, but as it was the
truth, it must be spoken.
WHO has come between US this time p
she added, her face now as white and
worn as her companions.
My wife, Olive She exacted the
most solemn promise. and there was nc
choice left. The only comfort I have had
in my agony. Olive, has been the though,
that your contempt had been sufficient tC
kill your love for me. but now
"God only knows what manner of man
you are, Damon Leicester" his compan-
ION replied, stung to bitterness by this
last most cruel blow. You are the
weakest creature that ever walked the
earth, or you are the strongest. | know
not which. But whatever you are-take
this assurance along with you to the altar
i love you and you love me. and you
have no more business with the woman
your wife has selected for you, than you
had with the girl your mother chose"
With this Olive Carroll opened the door
of her carriage and entered it without
another word.
An hour later Damon Leicester was
seated with his promised wife. He had
walked like mailman. until he could
walk no longer, and there being nothing
to gain from postponement, had gone to
meet his fate. Many men have doubtless
been burned at the stake suffering less
mental torture than this man suffered on
this occasion. 1t was strange interview
Leicester had reached the utmost limit of
his power of endurance, and he could no
longer play part. He was crushed,
helpless human being, and that is what he
appeared to be.
Il am here, Esther. to redeem the
promise made my wife," he said, after a
few commOnpaces had been exchanged.
land though this may seem an Indifferent
and perhaps ungentlemanly method OF
procedure,'' he added. after a painful
pause, "you may depend on my doing my
best to make you kind and faithful hus
band"
| 81 have no doubt of that" Miss Des-
mond replied; ''your past is a sufficient
guarantee. But. Mr.. Leicester. there is
surely no haste about the fulfilment OF
this promise"
"My wife wished the marriage to take
place within year, you remember.
have not treated you very we'll, Esther,
but | will not be so thoughtless, again"
"Why have you not been here before
Mr. Leicester
1t was pretty and attractive woman
that looked very searchingly into this man.
face. and the thought went through the
poor fellows mind as he returned her
glance that she would make man a very
sensible and attractive wife. There was
something extremely kindly in her face
and Damon wondered, even in this mo.
ment of indescribable misery. why it was
that he had always dislked her. Proba-
bly, because Polly liked her so much. and
he wondered if he should hate everything
that this woman liked as had been the
case with the other one. All these things
went through his mind before he replied
to his companions question.
81 know | have not treated YOU well ~
he answered at last; "but will you not
forgive me and let it pass ?'
"That would seem reasonable request
under most circumstances, the lady said.
quitely calmly. ''but my position is
somewhat peculiar. and really must in.
sist upon an answer to my question"
81 did not feel that | could come be.
FORE the man replied making supreme
effort to control himself
''ln other words YOU put it off as long
as possible ?"
Yes, Miss Desmond"
"Did you WOO Polly after this fashion
Mr. Leicester?"
II do not think there was much differ.
ence''
There is great difference in women
Polly could meet you more than half ay
but. unfortunately. am more receptive
than demonstative. Even the half dis
lance is too much for me-" was the
strange and smiling response.
but. Miss Desmond"
Excuse me-" the lady interrupted
but before we go on with our plans.
want you to give me the assurance-the
only assurance that can modify the awk-
wardness of this union-that while You do
not love me. You are equally Indifferent to
every one else
That is impossible. There is one
woman that love with my whole heart
and soul. and that woman loves me-
"And that is Olive Carroll p
"Yes. 1t would have been better" the
wretched man went on, in pitifully hope.
less fashion. mot to have asked this ques-
ton. since what must be, must be, and
such knowledge will only make it harder
for you"
Have you no misgivings, Mr.. Leces-
ter. no sentiment of honor or conscience
about the wrong you contemplate doing
mep" Miss Desmond inquired still reso.
| lutte, and still smiling