The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-06-27

you know, my child, to find me willing"
~ am perfectly happy here. father" she
replied, sand like this quiet, peaceful exist
encs far better than would a gayer place.
So say no more, pray you"
The real reason that she did not wish to
leave her present home for Paris was that she
knew that Raymonds vacation ended very
soon, and that lie then would be near her
there, following her at every turn, and here
she would he free.
Summer passed all too swiftly, and autumn
came with its gorgeous beauty Of coloring
and its wealth Of harvest, and October had
nearly gone. Already the nights were cold
and fros y, though the days were bright and
sunny, and Suzanne wandered about their
park and even into the forest beyond, as If
she hunted her lost peace of mind Her young
heart was heavy with unshed tears, but
though she knew she loved Raymond, she
had been through such awful and strange ex
periences that she was matured far beyond
her age, and her reason and knowledge of the
past taught her that love or marriage with
an honorable man with an untarnished name
was not for her; that fate had ordered that
her life should be passed alone.
One day as she sat on fallen tree absorbed
in these thoughts, her tears fell unheeded
upon her cheeks for her withered youth and
lonely future which a fathers love could
now never fill, and she thought she heard .
step behind her.
She knew so well who was there that she
did not even turn her head, but by supreme
effort of will conquered her agitation and her
face wore mask of scorn and naughty dis
dain as RAYMOND came in front Of her, and
Joining bis hands exclaimed:
Suzanne, Suzanne, have pity on mel"
"You can have nothing to say to me that
wish to hear. beg, therefore, you will per-
init me to pass"
"No; this life is intolerable! You treat me
as if were the veriest wretch Oh earth. 1t ia
not so that an honest mans love should be
trampled upon"
n do rot know what you refer to. l simply
find your attentions distasteful, and l wish to
make you so understand. As you seem to be
unable to understand actions | am obliged to
tell you so"
She wished to pass him, but he stepped in
front of her, saying:
"You shall not so until you have heard
me-"
"Your action makes me but the more posi-
tive that have done right in refusing to
speak to YOU Since you threaten me, re-
gard you as a coward"
$50 be it. | am a coward"
She recoiled little before Raymond, who
seemed no longer to be able to control him
self. But behind her was the ravine, with its
abrupt and stony bank, so that she could not
escape him that way without danger, and she
turned to him. saving angrily:
"If you make one step toward me l shall
throw myself down."
Suzanne, pity you"
Mel You pity me?'
eyes, for you must love me we'll to treat
NE in this manner. You must have some
reason why you do not want-not dare ac-
ccpt my love, and thus try to hide your own.
| feel now NEat have never dared hope
you do love me-"
''You are utterly mistaken; [ do not love
you. Inever did, never SHALL and your love
is all offense to me-"
suzanne! you ure very hard, very cruel.
Listen. Impose upon me any condition you
think necessary. However hard it may be
will accept"
Still no answer
''1hen there remains but one thing for nle,
and thst is death. l cannot live without
Aope, without your love. Adieu, Suzanne.
May you be happy"
And the young man, in half demented
condition, raised the muzzle of his gun and
placed it against his heart, both barrels
loaded, and before Suzanne could speak
raised lis bootto strike the triggers. Suzanne
spranS forward involuntarly and caught the
muzzle: turning it slightly, SO that the two
charges wliizzed by her head and the powder
burned her dress.
Her heart melted. One second more and
ne would have been lying corpse ct her feet,
and, forgetting all that had seemed to her
such potent reasoning, she sank to her former
seat, powerless and faint.