Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-01-13

which that of yourself TO mo Is very
slight DO your duty by her, what
ever that duty may be. To know you
false to mo may kill me; but l would
rather lose you, knowing you to be
false, than to retain you, knowing you
to be villain. They say you arc tS
marry her-that she expects it. Il
you have broken your VOWS TO me, nj
least keep faith with hcr"
L Poor Ruthven!
He elevated his handsome eyebrows,
drew deep breath and emitted long,
low whistle. Then he remembered sew
eral little matters no had not hereto
| fore noticed. He recalled certain words
/ of the widow that now seemed charged
with deepest meaning. though at
tho time they wcro uttered he
had not accorded them serious
thought. He reno mbered that her
eyes were moist last night, that her
hand trombled as-HeavensI he was
not vain, but-tho woman loved him.
How stupid it all was to be sur.i
He sat and pondered for full hour.
He did not often display emotion, but
at the end OF that time his face was
very stern and his teeth were clinched.
Then he suddenly arose and went out.
He sauntered into the 1ower-shop.
As usual. ho was scrupulously dressed,
and the widow thought hc had never
looked 80 distinguished or so hand
some.
Good evening. Mrs Fox.''
Good evening. Mr. Ruthven
Thon he noticed that her lips were
trembling and that hor soft. white
checks were wet with tears He grew
dcathly pale, but advanced steadily 10
the counter. Then no noticed that
she was trembling. trembling violent
ly, in tho effort to conceal her teafA
He held out prettily- glovcd hand,
which she graspcd firmly enough.
Then he spoke: Mrs. Fox" he said.
calmly, and very softly, IAN l right
in believing that you love moP'
The perfect self-possession that had |
characterized the widows demeanor
until tonight deserted her wholly.
She simply gasped. "Whatt she
screamed
1t is to DO feared that part of
Ruthven's solf-possession deserted him
also But he had set himself his task
and like tho gentleman that he was,
10 go through with IL 10 the
end.
II believed Che did not say hoped.
you will observe) that you did. and
| short pauss-I came to ask you to
hurry me-"
The widows face was still the
picture Of astonishment but she col
ected herself. and smiled on him
indy. pityingly; "a thought you know,
ir Ruthven," she said, that / was
married already"
Ruthvon's hand crushed TO frag-
nents a tiny earthen flower pot that he d
ad boon lingering lJlSsEScn. SIR" she 1t
Ia. still kindly. What woman w
IS who does not pity a case of hope re
} love. particularly whom she herself hi
he object of 1t. II have been mar nj
d six yearA Ny hus band Is on the in
inter with General Crooks COM te
md. Iexpect him home in May" 81
Whatever Of pity there was in her d
art for him suddenly vanished ut
Fly. Somehow she felt, after n
rutiny OF his face. that Ruthven Ia
uld dispense with it. Il
'Thon may l ask" he said, with
nile courtesy, ito what l am to at
butte your display of emotion as l u
tered fow moments ago?'
A good deal of her sorrowful ex- 4,
ession returned. "0h, il Is nothing
ry much, SIR" she answered, wearl-
'only must have $3.50 TO- morrow a
pay two months rent Mr.. -
gorge q don't know'his other name),
res me $3.50, and took the liberty Of
nding to him for 1t tonight did
vt like to do It, because l know az
III pay me in his own time. q
1t he has gone to Canada TO hunt re
ID won't be back for two months "
ey tell me. Pm sure l don't know IL II
hit do. l have no other bills that 3
IAN collect. ~ =.
] hen 1t was that Mr.. Ruthvon aban- n,
mo all conscience and all principle. In
ID disburdened himself Of this colos- in
| lie. K
II had letter from George this nj
orning," he announced. calmly, land
commissioned mo 10 hand you the
M"
Ho drew q small book from his "
cket filled out check for tho
iount and, turning upon his heel :
thout waiting for receipt, left the r
OPP And. even in her joy at the re- |
wal of her difficulties, fair Mrs Fox
uld not stihe the reflection that for n
lover Ruthven bore his
rible news with remarkable oqua- a
nitv.
Ruthven laughed softly all tho way
me. When he reached his rooms
strobe to his telephone and called E
2007. |
'HelloT' he remarked, composedly, \,
en- the desired connection had boon III
de. THAT you. Burtonp All right
k Miss Grace If sho will kindly step
tho telephone, will your" p,
long pause Then tr
'Hollo" very softly. "Yos, It Is L So So
pray don't go away" His eyes Il
wv little dim, for no distinctly ca
ard the sound of smothored sob y
ne quivering over the wire. "Now, X
en." added this unmltigated rascal. n
We read your note, and can not un-
stand Il. Mrs. Fox, who is very
tivated woman, Notwithstanding h
: occupation, has military hus- !
IN - ke
,z9Nsa&X&. { J! ! !;