Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-10-03

to the other that her escort had to CIV
her very real support and assistance, on
as she closed the door of the library 81
gathered up new courage, and her volc<
though very low, was clear, as sn
said:
"Mr. Gordon, . few ehort weeks ag
Won honored me by q proposal of maj
rage. Do not think me bold or unmalo
emily to mention this before third PEI
son:: until I tell you my reason. l reiuse'
you, and yet. in spite Of my utmost en-
deavor to conceal the truth, you knew
that loved you. What agony 1t cos
me to send you away-to try to tear yo'
out of my heart-you can never know
I loved you, but would not marry yoi
because I believe, and have believed TO-
years-eight long. weary years--that
had murdered the man know to nigh
still lives"
"Your intention to murder me wa
good" was the cold sneering answer.
"You know that to be false-as false
as all else in your cruel faithless life
But Mr.. Gordon, win, l think, believe
me-"
I'm all things" was the quiet firm as
surance.
"You know little of my life" sht
said, turning her pale beautiful face to
wards him; "but its utter misery and des
olution no one can ever know but my.
SELF My aunt hated me, grudgiDg mt
my verv existence; my father never drew
sober breath. At seventeen had
never had any knowledge of home hap
pipess or home love. I found my onle
pleasure in study, and the old ministry
of the village lent me books, and helped
me- Being hungry he satisfied the heart
hunger bore for years.
"Into such life romance and dream
ing come with a force that happy girls
can hardly imagine, and l dreamed inn
possible visions Of love and lovers. And
with my empty heart, my visionary
longings, 1 met Sidney CARL. He was to
me the embodiment of every hero of
whom had ever read-handsome, winn-
ing, gracious. Why he made himself
my apparent lover he alone can tell; for,
winning all my girlish devotion, he gave
me only semblance of love in return.
l am very frank. and if pain you, for
give me, for I must tell the whole truth
now.
II was but seventeen, but, with all the
fervor of youth, all the tender poetry of
imagination, I invested my hero with
every virtue, and gave him worship
ping love. And by every art his false
heart had studied, he wooed me to love
him. How could my ignorance meet his
craft? How could my Innocence suspect
his falsehood? ALI through one long
summer he made my life q FOOLS para
disc, and was blindly, Utterly happy,
scarcely looking forward day, so COM
pletely content in the present. We lived
near the sea, and within easy walking
distance of our cottage there was q high
rocky cliff, overhanging deep water,
many feet below. Oftentimes I have
turned sick and dizzy looking over the
rocky ledge down to the angry waters
that dashed against it far below. But it
was favorite walk, the approach from
the village being gradual ascent. Here
met my lover often, walking to and fro
upon the edge of the cliff thinking moth
ing of danger, when my hero was beside
me. 1 was fool, grant, but I had
some excuse for my folly, for never was
q great lady more delicately, tendely
wooed and won.
Autumn came, and in October Mr..
CARL told me he must return to the city
to his home and business. One more
walk upon the cliff, and then he must
leave me. But even then I did not
doubt his loyalty or that he would return
TO me. 1met him on the cliff walk, and
hen he told me q cruel truth. In words
70 gently spoken they might have been a
saress, he told me that he was not free,
but the promised husband of q great city
belle-a women for whom he professed
10 have no love, but who had social
position, accomplishments, riches-all
hat had not. And as Istood dazed,
his words ringing like knell
N my bewildered brain, he came towards
ne with extended arms, crying:
"'You have never kissed me Kiss me
now, in token of forgivnessp
"All the woman in my child's heart |
rose to resent the insult, and when he |
vas near to me pushed him back with
Ill my force-pushed him, as Heaven is
ny witness, only to prevent his touch |
ng me! But l was strong and angry,
md my arms had an unsupported force.
pushed him over the cliff. As he reeled |
md vanished from my sight my senses
eft me, and fell. I must have lain long
for it was dark when at last
fully awoke and realized what had
lone-what I wss!"
She covered her face for q moment,
While both men stood silent waiting,
me in sullen defiance, the other with q
,ity too deep for commonplace words.
"How he escaped" Hester presently
Il cannot tell; but have car
led for eight years my heavy burden OF
remorse Could I 20 to q
God mans home with such sin upon
ny soul? Could be the wife of good
nan, believing myself murderess?"
"If you have quite finished this dra-
natic explanation" said Sidney CARL
a q cold voice, perhaps you will kind
y excuse my presence ct the love. scene"
Frank Gordon stepped quickly to-
Yards him, but Hesters hand fell upon
lis arm.
"No violence" she pleaded. "Let him
o. wished to speak before him, and l
7ould like now to ask him for what
rime was made to bear 30 heavy q
"What crime?" was the fierce quick
nswer. 1.-THE crime of attempted muir
or. Just by . hairs breadth did es-
ape the rocks below the cliff, and fall
ato deep water. Stunned for moment,