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

CHAPTER L.
He had been telling her all he had to tell
and now she stood there quite still, neither
by word nor glance vouchsafng the answer
for which he pleaded.
L must know the best or the worst
Christine he whispered. Speak to me
darling"
She started violently, and vivid color
rushed to her cheeks. Fer broad garden.
hat hid that. but it could not shut out the
sigh which died away in low, half sob.
i am sorry if l give you pain" she said
softly, SO softly that the words came al
most in murmur. but I can not be youl
wife,"
I understand" with short. hard laugh
you will not. Pray, be frank"
At tn she silently removed Der glove and
held out her hand. A soft. white hand it was
and one little finger was encircled by a heavy
band of gold.
-Married?"
Not vet" And Miss nlerton's voice grew
trmer now. L am engaged to Arthur
Gower.
Her companion was a tall. dark man.
with a sunburnt face and a heavy mustache
and honest brown eyes. evidently not the
man to be easily overcome by any passin g
emotion. yet now he fairly staggered be-
meath the blow hLf words had dealt; so
when he spoke again it was with a calm
desperation.
Forgive me-" said he; I have had SO
many hopes that
Why did you not write to me?" she inter-
rupted, turning upon him sharply.
I waited to tell you. was fool. that is
ALL"
Let us have done with folly" COM
menced Christine. almost YEARLY. Then.
with sudden. passionate outburst--Ah
why need you have done this? Could you
not see? couk you not unde: stand?"
Now he caught her outstretched hands.
and. holding her in his arms. pressed
moment the poor lips quivered beneath
a rail- of kisses, for one little moment only;
then. adroitly freeing herself. she said but
this:
60 now. Ralph"
"Christinei"
Co." she repeated: 1T is too late; under
stand me-too late! 1 shall marry Arthur
Cover. and would not do otherwise now,
even If could"
And so. quitting the deep shadow of the
willows. never looking back, Miss Illertor
walked down the garden path. her dainty
white gown fluttering in the morning
breeze, her whittier face hard and fixed and
strangely stern.
Some one met her as she crossed the
hall.
Where is Mr.. Gresham. Christine2-
Gone"
Are you i'll. dear?"
No; I will be down presently. Clara
This abruptness would have offended al
most any otner woman, but Clara Volney,
being unlike almost any other woman
simply turned away. panied pitifulness
easily read in the troubled glance Of her
blue eyes.
She stood leaning against the doorway
just little tinge of color in her cheeks
her slender little fingers mechanically
threading an unruly yellow curl, when Miss
allerton sharply called to her from the gal
lery above.
-Claral"
Yes, dear.
i want YOU.
Obedient Clara was presently in her
cousins chamber. listening to half con-
fession born of self rebuke and q wild
yearning for some word of tender consola-
ton.
we have no secrets from each other
have We. Clara?" commenced Miss Illerton.
NO. none"
From the time-so long ago!-when my
poor father died-from the moment when
he put your hand in mine, and babe US love
each other, not as cousins only but as
sisters dear. have ever. by word or decd.
Never, Christine"
Think again"
Never. reiterated the girl
1t is falseI" cried Miss Illerton. her
cheeks ablaze now; i have wronged you
by foolish silence; have insulted the
dead by willful disobedience: In nothing
have I acted like q sister; sister would
have gone to you and said: Clara. have
promised to be Arthur Covers wife; this
ring I wear is the token Of love; I am
happy. share my content That Is what q
sister would have done-what should
have done; is it not?'
Arthur Covert"
The flush had quite faded from Clara's
cheeks. but her eyes were bright with some
keen emotion Of surprise or Joy. or maybe
pain.
Yes went ON Christine. never needing
this. and just now. in the garden. who
should come but Ralph Gresham. and-he
loves me. Clara
-Wen2"
But it is too late said Miss Illerton.
almost in undertone.
what did you tell him'' asked her
cousin. eagerly,
what / have told you-that it was too
late. and that I would not. even could.
She spoke very slowly. marking each word
with a lingering emphasis: then. as the last
fell from her lips she started up with merry
laugh. Just think Of it. Clara--ArthuE
Cover! Did tell you what he said2 Lis
ten. It was the drollest wooingI He took
my hand and slipped that ring upon my
finger: knew then what was coming. and
SO kept very still. Christine said he. ii
Is our parents wish. you remember. that
YOU should be my wife-will you consent?
And I consented. OF course. So. there
now. that troublesome affair Il arranged
and am to marry him. and For heav-
ems sake. Clara. open that window! one
stiles herel"
She came and stood by her cousin, and
In silence the two looked out upon the
stretch OF land where the 1at brown tracts
were all cut by low fences. and then be-
yond upon the dark belt of woods. now soft
ened and Swallowed by the purple haze Of
the fast falling night.