Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-05-02
CHAPTER XNYm.
MY OWN TRUE LOVE.

Leaving my place of cOnceaIment,
walked swiftly down the carriage drive
and took up my position near the gates.
1 had not long to wait. I heard Gas
cOignes quick military tread upon the
gravel before he came in sight. When
he was within a couple of yards or so
stepped out into the moonlight, right In
front of him.
"Ha, Dudley!" he exclaimed, with the
old hearty ring in his voice, as he held
out his hand.
made no attempt to take it. For a
few seconds we looked at each other thus.
What is the matter with you. Jack?"
He put the question with the most limo
cent air imaginable.
You've come from my house?" said
Significantly.
you've seen my wife?-
81 have"
you don't deny it, them"
NO" he answered, fixing his eyes on
me with a look that 1 interpreted as one
of cool defiance. And now, perhaps,
you'll let me pass, he added.
The quiet scOrnfulness of his manner
exasperated me past endurance.
You're devil" I cried, with cOncen-
trated fury, and struck at him-I struck
fair and full at his hooking face.
He parred the blow, however, and be-
fore 1 could help myself his arms were
around me. 1t was hand-tO-hand strug-
gle. I was the taller, but he the more
muscular of the two, and with shame I
felt that, although the aggressOr, 1 should
be conquered. He flung me from him
with force that sent me ree1ing across
the roadway.
Jack Dudley, " said he go home. re-
Quire no explanation from you tonight.
Tomorrow I'll come and demand one"
His assurance petrifed me. With a
muttered imprecatiOn, giddy and still
reeling I turned toward the house.
For hours 1 walked up and down be-
fore the house that contained the false
woman whom once believed I loved.
If not as yet guilty in act, my wife was
Mt least morally guilty. Her words had
proved it. I had heard her own lips say
she was ready to leave me and 60 with
GascOigne when and whore he wished.
He had only to come to her, she said
The villain had got her written promise,
too.
The lights were extinguished, the moon
and stars grew dim, biting wind began
to blow.
I stepped in, closed the window and
approached the hearth, where a fire was
still burning.
Weary, miserable, and faint had not
tasted food all day cast myself upon
the couch, and closed my eyes. could
afford to rest. L knew the worst now
In an hour or two's time I would leave
my home forever.
A slight sound, a sigh quite near,
reused me, and the soft touch of a hand
upon my shoulder thrilled me as could
the touch of only one wOman's hand on
earth. Looking up, L saw Edna Lyntou
bending over me and holding toward me
n glass of wine. Her sweet eyes were
full of tenderness and pity. An angel
had come to minister to me, whose very
presence Gained the tempest of my soul
and brought me peace. She looked gen
tie, sweet, and timOrOus as a dove.
I drank the wine gratefully, gave back
the empty glass, and, at a sign from her
lay down again upon the couch. She
turned the shaded lamp upon the table
stirred the fire, then moved toward the
door. L must 60 now and say you have
come in. will return, she said, in an.
swer to the unspOken question Of my
eyes. know not the length Of time thai
INTERVIEWED when she came again,
extended my hand to her, mutely implor.
ing sympathy.
She understood. She sat down and
slid her hand in mine. At first it trem
bled Just a little, like the futtering of
frightened bird, then it lay still. I strovt
to conceal the rapture with which thi
voluntary act of hers inspired me, anC
closed my eyes lest she should read il
them the truth. My heart was beating 81
that my one fear was that she shouis
hear It. I could have lain thus for hours