Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-09-07

But the startling vehemence of this ap-
peal produced an effect altogether contrary
to the one intended. Clara only gave way
to perfect passion Of sobs. where's Miss
ders. and without another word walked from
the room.
CHAPTER Nv.
You did me great injustice" said she
YEARLY. You should have acknowledged
this sooner. Had you done So"
"Well?" came the eager question.
Miss Illerton finished her sentence with
Icy composure:
Had you done 80 you would have spared
me much annoyance. that is all"
Does Clara know that?' commenced Mr..
Cover. then paused abruptly.
That you and came to an understanding
yesterday? No. she does not
Amoment of silence. then spoke Mr.. Cow
er -a 2gain ,;n.t MT a..n,so no nom c,r,.
tine"
I did-yes. despised what appeared to
me an unmanly weakness and pitiful false
hood. did not consider the mistaken sense
of honor which caused you to hesitate be-
fore inflicting an imaginary pain"
If you had ever loved me. Christine"
But never loved you." she interrupted.
with great earnestness. This marriage
was arranged between our parents. We
lent ourselves to the sinful plottings of
others; therein lay our fault. Why. we
have been miracles Of obstinate Stupidity"
Christine. suppose that all had been DIFF
ferent; suppose that
That you had loved me. Is that what
We'll. yes. that had not loved Clara
would you then really have sacrificed your
self to me?"
Miss Illerton did not answer Immediately.
She sat for moment quite still. her head
resting upon her hand.
L can not tell" she said at last. hall
dreamily. Heaven help me. I can not tell!
I believed that was doing right" Then.
with sudden energy; Never mind what
might hare Seen! Think only OF what is!
Wait here. will be back presently" And
she hurried from the DOM.
She was back presently-with Clara Vol
ney. The young lady was very pale. but
preserved a remarkable composure. Miss
Illei tons keen eyes, however. detected the
sudden flush. and her firm fingers felt the
tremor of the little h>ld they clasped.
But here was one who would not waste
SO much as one poor word on all this an
euish. Leading her companion forward.
she paused before her visitor: then she
spoke:
Mr.. Arthur Cover. give you my cousin
as a wife,"
"Christine!"
do not interrupt me. Mr.. Cover has
and we understand each other now. You
must
It was Mr.. Cover who interrupted her
here. He had taken her hand ard kissed it
reverently.
What can say. Christine?-
is Clara"
She turned away iaughingly At the
door she stopped suddenly. then retraced
her steps.
DO you see nothing?" she asked. DO
neither Of you miss anything?"
4 dol" cried Clara. Where is it?-
Are you sure that you understand me?"
All. yes. am sure! Oh. Arthur, where
is it?-
But Arthur said never a word. only stood
silently gazing at Christine.
He does not know. averred the latter.
with mock gravity. but I will tell you. l
threw it in the river this morning when l
was riding"
Here Miss Illerton held up her hand. and
10! the ring. the token of betrothal. was no
longer in its place!
Thus had she decided the matter Of her
marriage with Arthur Cover.
There had been busy time at The Crag.
such busy time as inevitably precedeS
marriage. and now came the hull which as
inevitably follows those periods OF hazard
Gus excitement
was gone. and his wife was gone. and only
u lonely woman remained at the old place
very lonely woman. one who had let her
hopes go by. had pur her suffering aside.
and now. patiently bearing the puroen Of
the day. waited for that night for which. In
the cruel pangs of her anguish. she long
inely yearned.
So time woi 9 drearily on. until one day
Miss Illerton sat in the library trying to fix
her mind on the book which lay open in
her lap. when suddenly, she knew not how
1t came about, a strangely rapturous ex-
pectRncy seemed to have overcome her.
when directly she heard the drawing-room
door close and visitor enter. A charm
took possession OF her. and che Immediately
parted the portiere her breath came in
deep. gasping sobs. and she stood quite
motionless, her eyes resting on Ralph
Gresham.
-Christinei'
The woeful eyes brightoned now.
L heard Of this. Christine. have been
away. you know-far away. I have como
for you Chr stine.-
And have waited for you. oh. my be-
loved!-
His strong arm was about her now. her
head was piliowed upon his faithful breast.
and If tears wet her cheek be sure they
were very happy tears. The past. with its
sorrows and shadows. was gone: and now
love SO great had come to her that
through its radiance she read the promise
Of blessed peace. and JOY unutterable.
II you do not believe that the fates were
kind to Christine ask Ralph Gresham's
wife.
The world always judges man land
rightly enough, too, by his little faults,
which he shows q hundred times day,