Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-02-01

told any woman OF my own love. Ishall
harm yours in telling. 1 will do 1t; but
you must give me the words-the how
the when. 1t will be-terrible"
He was deadly white now-not only
pale; but Aaron went on unheeding:
Tell her story-this! You know
man who has loved her long, but who
has never dared to say SO. He feels
that his own deserts are too small to en-
entitle him to hope; but, on the eve OF
parting, he can restrain himself no
longer; he must tell her that life Is
nothing without her; that her love Is
the only thing worth striving for; he
mast ask her in this strange way, be.
cause he has not courage enough to do
otherwise; to bid him hope or despair.
Then she will ask who this lover is, and
you may tell her; but not until then,
mind you-no; until all the story Of the
love is told. And you will bring me the
answer"
Julian turned q CHASTITY face toward
him and replied: IF l live"
'And-you will tell the tale just So
Just as / have told you?" asked Aaron.
Again Julian answered: ''If ! live"
Then he left Aaron and sought Miss
Atkins.
She held out her hand, but he only
bowed and seated himself beside her.
In q moment more he said: ~ have
come upon an errand that will surprise
you, Miss Atkins. am commissioned
to tell you story"
"That of some poor persons" she
asked. "You have only to say that you
know him to be in need and worthy"
ut is the story Of one who asks q
gift" he said; "but not gift of alms-a
gift more precious than gold could be-"
and here, as he spoke the thoughts of
his own soul in another's service, his
voice trembled-"a gift that you can
only give-you, of all the world"
Ada looked at him shyly now. In q
moment more her eyes dropped and her
fingers began to trifie with her rings,
and the lace above her bosom to fiutter
softly.
II know a man who has loved you for
q long time," he went on, taking now
sort of fierce and bitter pleasure in this
cruel usage Of himself, framing from his
own knowledge of his own love the tale
Of Aaron Pennel. "''For months he has
thought Of you by day and by night,
until there is but one woman in the
world to him-the woman who is called
Amy Atkins OF all the objects that
there are upon the horizon Of the future,
he only sees your face. He could do any
thing FIR your sake: without you he will
be nothing. He has seen no token Of
any liking for him in your face, nor
heard it in your voice; yet he would
have you hear his story, and know his
fate. His name"
But then sharp spasm Of pain caught
his breath. He paused for an instant
In that instant Amy turned toward him
and put her hand in his.
"My love is not worth so much" she
said, tearfully, ''but since you value it
SO highly, it is yours. It always has
been since l first knew you"
And tears came faster. and woman's
historical sobs. And what could he do
but take in his arms the woman he
adored, and who had just admitted her
love for him under the impression that
he had proposed to her, and hold her
with q lovers tenderness against his
breast.
He was almost mad; he was quite dis
traught, indeed. The suddenness Of his
happiness was in itself enough. And
then there was the awful remorse, the
consciousness of terrible breach Of
trust, when he thought OF Aaron PEN
mel. His utter Joy and his woeful shame
mingled themselves in his soul, as, hav-
ing bid Amy adieu, he found Aaron Pen
mel waiting for him not far from her
house.
Aaron looked at him. Julian turned
away his head, for he could not return
the gaze of the man whom he had so
wronged.
"What have you been doing?" asked
Aaron. ''Why do you look SOP"
How can ever make you believe
that have not played you false?" fall
tered Julian; and then Aaron burst into
. laugh.
"You have proposed to her." he said,
land she has accepted your"
Julian could not answer.
"You have the right to take my life,"
he said, 'but L"
''Do you think I wanted to marry Amy
Atkins?" said Aaron, 'or that dreamed
she would accept meP read your hearts
too well. know your love and your
pride. / saw two who we're made for
each other tearing themselves asunder;
and / took advantage Of your foolish
promise to place you in q position in
which it was impossible for you to con-
ceal your true feelings. Somehow, !
felt sure you would understand each
other; and at the worst should only
have refusal, and the reputation Of
being rejected lover. Ny happiness,