Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-30

you, and the time Is snort am alralo 70
say it at all, but cannot let you 60 without
speaking. That's it'll Your going-it tears
NV heart out, and I can think only OF the
pain"
got dreadfully solemn feeling. From
some inspiration right from my heart
walked over to him, and laying my hand as
near his shoulder as could reach I said in
a very gentle voice for me: "Please, dear
Ernest, we have known each other all our
lives-ever since was little girl 1 have
been fond of you-and we shall be sorry to
say goodby, but it will not tear my heart
out, nor yours, either" He moved as if to
speak. but 1 hurried on: "You must not
think me changed because for a few years
you have not seen me. You and l are
friends, Just as we were at school. We can
never be any more, or any less. tits lovely
thing to be friends SO, and it would be cruel
if Should, or you should, do anything to
spoil or change it-would it not, Ernest?
No, don't answer. No one should think
twice of me, Ernest. I am just as used to
be-selfish and thoughtless and frivolous.
1 haven'ta bit of heart, dear Ernest-in-
deed I haven't, except so much as can ache
with regret if anyone for whom care comes
Ernest, and don't let's talk of this any more
please, please, for my sake!'
/ had been hurried on by some frightened
impulse. 1t seemed to me that it would be
the saddest thing in the world if Ernest
should change. The tears were in my eyes
at the thought His face softened and
cleaned as if from an inward light. He
clasped his hands over mine that was pushed
against him, and bending kissed my fingers.
Then he answered: 81 know, Katie, you
are warning me. Out of your gentle heart
you are trying to save me the pain of the
mistake which, for all that. 1 must make.
1t is too late and must go through with it,
mistake or not. Do you think I could see
you as have and my heart not grow about
you till only you are there, and will you
tell me there is no hope for me? am big
fellow, and I don't know much about how
one should ask such things, but it is humble
enough, is it not? if 1 put my knee to the
touch your hands, tell you that love you
love you-I love you."
He turned his face with a sort of sob
against my dress. slid, limp. miserable
wreck, into the chair behind me, and began
stupidity rubbing his head, while I said,
more or less, that I was so sorry, that for the
world would not give him pain, but that
1 knew 1 should be wicked girl if L did
not honestly tell him the truth. He stood
unsteadily asking: "And that is?"
THAT do not love you the least in the
world more than 1 always have" made
answer, crying softly; that-oh, forgive me,
Ernest-I know I never shall feel for you
as some day expect to feel for the man 1
shall marry"
He took me close In his arms, kissing my
forehead and cheek and eyelids. His lips
were cold. Then he put me from him, say
ing vaguely: "Goodbyl'
mo, no, Ernest" cried, "you must not
go that way. You must care for me as you
always have-ss care for you, and always
broken up. I cannot spare it-I will not.
You will forget that you ever felt like this. "
"Do YOU think SOP" he asked, and his
eyes had such look of somber pain in them
that felt as if were numbering him. All
could do was to turn angry.
"Have no rights?' cried; "how can
you take from me friendship have never
forfeited, the sincerest. deepest proof of
which have Just given? I never wanted
you 20 love me, and 1 won't have it, 1
won't give you up. I hate people to love
me. Why could you not be nice, and fond
ot me, as Bright Hale is, and stay SOP"
At the name his face darkened. "Had
Bright asked you, your answer would have
been different" he said, doggedly.
1 gave a small scream of rage "Oh /!
would it? Please let me tell you Bright
would not do such thing. He is too kind
o repay girl for a friendship, which has
asted nearly as long as she has, by falling
in love with her, and then throwing her off |
Is you propose doing. Bright Hale would
lot do so cruel, unkind, unnecessary, dread
ul disastrous thing as loving me.
de -"
A discreet rustic at the door, and Mary |
.ntered. "Mr. Hale, miss" she said, and |
n walked Bright Ernest broke into laugh |
ng.
"You seep he said, and then to Bright:
Good luck, old fellow. am just leav- |
ng." |
lifted my hand in protest against his |
litter implication, and with hurried greet |
ng to Bright, followed Ernest to the door,
aging: "Please forget it all and be |
rfends." He drew a long breath, that
made me feel his heart was breaking, and |
aid hoarsely. his arms straining about me:
Let me say once more that love you. I
hall have no right soon."
"Where are you going?" whispered in
anticipation.
ITO the back bay, I suppose" he re-
urned harshly. Never mind me-go to |
/ stood moment in the hallway. Was |
yer girl so unlucky as I, or anything SO
rearing or worrying as mans love? Then
hurried into the parlor.
81 thought you half way to California, I |
aid, reaching out my hands.
"I was half way to Chicago" said Bright, |
nd then paused. His eyes were cleaning, |
lis voice quite new, I shivered little, and |
TODD staring anxiously at him. "Iwas half |
ray to Chicago when I found had some
hing to say to you, and -"
broke wildly to the other end of the
DOM behind chair, saying: "Don't you do |
II 1 won't have itl''
you've got to, Katie, {" he returned stead |
"; 81 should have spoken before 1 went |
way, but at least have come back all this |
ray to say itl'
"You shall not, " / interrupted again. IT |
-on't hear it. Haven't / been holding YOU
p as shining example, and swearing by
on? What have I done to deserve all this, |
nyhow?" and I stamped one foot after the |
ther.
You have been yourself-that's all, Kate
the sweetest, frankest, most winsome self |
nat ever breathed. You have looked at me
'om two OF the clearest blue eyes that ever
on mans heart. You have spoken from
wo lips that are sweeter to look at than any
ps in the world-you -"
81 have not! I've got two eyes and a nose
nd a mouth, like any other girl. I'm like
ny one else, and 1 don't deserve to be
-eated so. Go home before you say any,
lore. 1 won't hear itP'
"Kate, darling, you must hear it. A man
Ikes no such trip as 1 have to be set aside
-ithout hearing. I love you as no one else
IN. am rich-you shall have everything
on want"
81 don't want it, put in breathlessly.
"Then you needn't have it." he replied
ithout pause, and going on as if 1 had not
,oken. ''I love you from the tip of the
lrl on your forehead, through every pink