Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-09

known its dlSaDpOlntmentS. It's Ditterness.
No; please, Walter. put this thought out
of your head. can't be your wife. You
| must find your wife in your own class. il
you want happiness"
"You don't love me-" he said. in de-
spair. 49,,
time to love. To me you were friend
nv best friend. One of these days you
NAV think of me as your best friend. ;"
She dropped her head. but lifted it quick
", smiling. There. we must be practi-
cal shall never marry second time
Besides, am going on the stage again"
What !" he cried, in horror.
Il have signed a contract for two
years."
.Ohi Celine, entreat you. do not
wrong yourself. Tear up that contract.
Listen to me.
Impossible. love the stage. I was
born an actress-as men are born poets,
artists, soldiers. Fate gave me career
and | shall live my life in it. By turning
aside from it once lost nearly everything.
MY mind is made up, Walter"
He grasped her hands, kissed them. and
without uttering another word, rushed
from the room.
| III.
Walter went straight from Miss Mont
vert's apartment to his home in Spuyten
Duyvil, though he could not have told.
probably, how he got there. When he
LETT Celine he was like a person overcome
with wine or some subtle drug. He had
the symptoms OF one whose first expan-
sion of the heart. like the opening of a
rose, had been chilled by night frost.
First love is often trivial thing; it brings
short fever OF disappointment and By
ronic cynicism, and it is then cheerfully
forgotten. But serious and sensitive
nature finds in the misery of first love a
depth of despair which is never quite
sounded. Walter had this kind of nature
He arrived at the old stone house later
than usual. His grandmother was wait
ing for him anxiously. He returned her
atfectionate greeting without warmth and
hurried upstairs. She was astonished at
his manner and his appearance, but she
did not bother him with questions until
alter dinner, they went into the library.
Throughout the dinner Walter had been
morosely silent, strangely unlike himself.
In the library he seemed to be less con.
strained, and Mrs. Van Duren felt that it
was time to speak.
"Walter, my son." she began gently,
'are you i'll or unhappy"
Forgive me-" he answered. with an
effort IL have been rude. Yes, l am
unhappy. | forgot everything but my own
trouble"
You should have made me your conf
dant. We have never kept secrets from
one another you know
There are SEINE things" he said, and
hesitated.
"Some things you can't tell mep" she
added. Il don't believe that. Be frank
with me, Walter. What is the matter p'
He moved uneasily, but did not reply to
her question. With feminine intutive-
ness she jumped at conclusion.
Are YOU in love ?" she asked
He started, and his cheeks flushed.
81 am sure you must be-" she went On,
smiling.
Yes" he admitted, II am in love.
You have guessed the truth"
THAT is woman's business. Have
you proposed to her?'
"Herp Yes"
"She accepted you. of course. Why,
then, are YOU so miserable ?"
"She did not accept me-"
"Did not accept you, Walter! Impossi-
blen - The fact was to Mrs. Van Duren's
mind preposterous. 1t was like shaft
driven into her strong pride.
"She will never consent to marry me-"
Walter said slowly. II know her. She
has given me her answer. 1t breaks my
heart to think of her now" Tears came
into the young mans eyes.
care you sure?" Mrs. Van Duren asked
TREMENDOUSLY. That you know her so well
Did she say she did not love vou?"
NO" he replied. looking for the first
time eagerly into his grandmother's face
"Well. is not that hope enough? ?"
"How can tell p'
"What is the lady's name ?"
Her nameP Pr he repeated. trying
moment had come and Walter knew what
to expect. But he said, firmly. "Miss
Montvert''
Mrs. Van Duren withdrew instinctively
from her grandson. This revelation over
whelmed her She was incredulous and
angry At length she mani ged to gasp
"Miss Montvert-the actress '
Eyes"
"Yuu are serous?''
Yes"
hO "oihdu Nuo was divorced from
that person, Gayar, the notorious heroine
OF law courts, an adventures"
Her eyes flashed with wounded pride.
She arose from the sofa and faced Walter
She is not an adventures" he asserted.
quietly. And if she is notorious. that is
not her fault. She has been unfortunate.
poor girl. But,in spite of your preiudces
she is good and true, and love her-I
love her" Walter uttered these words
with passionate vehemence He was en-
tirely controlled by his emotion.
"And you would be willing to marry
herP" Mrs. Van Duren inquired, with
forced composure.
Il have told you that asked Ter to
marry me-"
You shall never marry her," Mrs Van
Duren declared, coldly. ut would be
shameful ~
You are unjust. You have not met
Celine.'
"Celine. You call her BY her first
name? How should meet herP Have
you lost your head. Walter?"
TO love woman like Celine is not
disgrace, it is honor" he rejoined. ''She
is more beautiful, more gentle, more
/ +bar tb