The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-02-28

Then why not remove ikT said George, eagerly.
 will, on one condition ?"
 Name it."
 Darkness !"
 "DarknessT
 GOT blindness on your part. You can choose"
 George turned the lights down to mere sparks.
 "Lower,s said Harriet.
 George turned the lights out, and stood still in total darkness. He heard the rustic of Harriet's dTapery, and the tinkle of the beads on the veil. Then all was silent.
 "Where are you, Harriet T' he asked, in whisper.
 Here, at the sofa" George walked to the voice, and ran l against Harriet, as she stood beside the sofa. He put one arm about her waist. and passed his fingers lightly over her hair.
 "Where is your bonnet?"
 "On the bracket under the mirror, with my veil"
 They sat down upon the sofa George drew Harriet's head down so that she reclined upon hts breast. As he kissed her velvet cheek his lips met a warm tear. "Are you crying?" he asked.
 "Yes," said Harriet, in a trembling whisper.
 For what, datling?"
 To think that you love me, and that know It and love you-worship you-in spite of all."
 I do love you, C od knows love you, if l can love-" ~k;speied George. @But l do not see why to4t should make you sad"
 Think of your wife, George. Think of me, here in this place nth you, and that l must go rom this room to my husbands house what am from this minute-foreverp Harriet's tears fell like rain, and her sobs were pitiful. George half released her from his em- brace. "Oh, no! no!' she whispered Hold me close !-let me feel your arms about me-let me know you love me whatever amp
 George drew his unhappy lover close, and pressed her face to his. He could have wept with her, so deep was his pity for her sobs, only he never did that sort of thing Five minutes, ten minutes passed, before Harriet's sobs quieted down to gasping sighs, and she whispered, :" Let me go, George, please" George released her, and she sat erect for a mo- ment. Her hand sought his, and she laid her face on his shoulder.
 "Oh, what will become of me when you do not love mep she whispered.
 George kissed her, but did not speak.
 .,' :" Death ".she whispered" Death will come. know tha .."
 There was silence that was very full of thoughts to George. Harriet broke it.
 :" "Ieh me of your wife, George5"
 "My wife p
 "Yes, is she good? Does she love you? Is she beautiful? Why do you prefer me to her? You know she loves you"
 "l do not know whether she loves me or not. know love you"
 But she must love you. Was she not good, pure girl when you married her! She must love you-she has never known any one else to love"
 Harriet, l love you," said George. Whether my wife loves me or not, do not love"
 Oh, no no o!'' said Harriet, put ting her hand on Georges lips. "Do not say that! Wicked as may have been thought te be, do not tell me I have de- stroy ed your love for her. You will go back to her when you are tired of me. You will forget me and love her again as you did at first" Harriet's sobs were convulsive again, and she could not speak. George kissed her and caressed her tenderly. When she was quiet again he said, Listen to me, Harriet. God knows am sorry we ever met. But love you, love you, Harriet As for my wife, she is good, and pure; she is beau tiful she is a noble woman; we have grown away from each other-how 1 do not know. You are the only woman I have said love to since my marriage. was true to her. But 1 cannot feel to- ward her as l do toward you. Why,I do not know. respect her. I am prsud of her beauty, her accomplish ments. I would trust my life to her.n Harriet crept closer into Georges arms. and kissed his lips with a cold mouth. and sighed as if her soul was passing. " But love you, Harriet, better than my soul, better than your welfare, perhaps. And thought you loved me as loved you"
 "I do love you, George. would die this instant, Oh, so gladly if you could " StSe 6ns NhAOoku my uSdtu 10 knOW all my love for you!' Harriet flung her arms about Georges neck, and pressed his face to her bosom, and kissed his hair passionatcly time and again. George took her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers they were burn ing hot.
 Harriet shrank from the touch. "No, George" she whispered, with a sudden calmness: " am all yours-all-my life and my soui-but leave me now. Let me think. Oh, if could die nowhere if this could be the end of allp She slipped out of his arms, and he heard again the tinkie of the jet veil. "Light the gas, George" she whispered.
 George did as he was bid, and then helped Harriet with her wrap. She sank into his arms, and he held her tenderly. /" My darling. my poor, poor girlp he murmured. A minute passed. Harriet