The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-06-08
CHAPTER yXXTV.
FOR wINIFRED's SAKE.

hand IN again
"Do you know why I came backg" said
John Fletcher abruptly one mornin :,
when he CHANGED to find himself alone
with Winifred.
They were in that rigidly arranged
parlor, with the same table between them
across which he had stretched his hand,
that she would not see, two years before.
Winifred looked up, but before she
could frame a reply he went on, hurried
":
"You know I did not have an oppor-
tunity to say good-by."
"Ah, then, yoli GaiGo bscG TO say good
by?" exclaimed Winifred.
''To say good-by, if that be your pleas
ure," he answered gravely; 'but-to say
something else first. [ came to confess
myself-a coward"
Winifred locked at him IN SUI prise.
"When I saw you last" he went on,
impetuously, Sin this very room, beside
this very table, let mere uplifting Of
your hand impose silence upon me,
though had right to speak-the rigf ;
of every man with heart to feel. Twas
a coward not to tell you then what have
come to tell you know. Alien though
you deem me, To- You: were you 10
proclaim thousand times that the war
is not over, still, still love yea"
Winifred r ned her face avg.
Between you and me thore is a great
gulf fixed" she falcered.
81 love you" he repeated, and came
and stood beside her chair. az love you
with love that can bridge over any
gulf"
You forget-you-forcetp she sigh
ed; but her voice died away; she coulo
not say again that the war was not over.
81 do not forget; I told you that I
should never forget Col. Thcrne's IN
compromising daug hter. Whether you
wish it or not-you are all the world
to me-"
Winifred uttered a little cry and raised
her hand, as if in protest; but John
Fletcher did not choose now 20 obey that
gesture; be claspcd hnr hand IN both his
own and Winifred did not take it away.
She said to hersel[ t,aat all this availed
nothing-thct they must part, must
surely part presently-must say good-by
forever, since all the world, on her side
and on his, would be against their union;
but she would not deny this little mo-
ment its fleeing happiness. She shiv-
cred, but she did not take away her
hand.
How had it come to pass that this
~
should stand between her and all that
she held dearest-father-br other-home2
How had he kindleG in her passionate
and devoted heart a tenderness that
dwarfed every affection she had known?
She had not been willing to love him, she
had struggled hard against it; but she
did love him, alasl Why had he not
stayed away? And yet, though her heart
should break in parting from him now,
all her life long she should rejoice and
be glad that he did come, that this
moment at least had been her own in
which to enjoy her empire. Come what
might, this moment at least was hers,
now and forever, and she bowed her
head upon the two hands that clasped
hers and cried out, with passionate la
ment:
IF YOU knew how I have hated youp
THAT makes no difference, If you love
me nowr" John Fletcher declared, with
an exultant smile.
81 have not wished TO love you" Win
fired said, as she lifted her head, and
withdrew her hand
Must l say good-by then-forevn?7
he asked.
She turned her face away, and there
was long silence. John Fletcher wait
ed; he desired that Winifred should
make her own decision, At last, Il can /
not help it, she exclaimed It was not I
a radiant face Tat she turned toward I
him, but John Fletcher knew that he /
need not say good-by 81 never should E,
have hated you 50 if l had not loved .
you'll"
She turned vS-y pale and bowed her
head on the arm of her chair. She had |
brsved the shadow that waits on Love,
and she was ready to defy Sorrow for
Loves dear sake, but Loves glad eyes
she could not meet.
John Fletcher bent over her with g
smile inefable, and laid his hand upon
her head. Dearest, look up ne whis-
Pe-ed- DO you think cannot under
stand; Some mus De the first to clasp !,
hands across toe bitterness OF these sad /
days; why not you and L
Yes, sad Winifred. and she put her
hand IN ais again
Just then-lcst then
Enter-fGe coloHel,
Ee stood yyfThIn taEee eject ofsthen
andsstsrea ASK peExihsd " fz1 does
his nsssS:' leasske8 iotS ,Sssp vo4cs-of
Ammonia 70