The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-04-02

will stay In England, but If Motif l
am no use here, if there is no hope for
mel may as well co.
There was note of deep feeling in
his voice that set my heart beating mad
", joyfully. But next moment | was
reasoning with my unreasonable happi
ness, bitterly smiling at it.
you do not believe in my love-" he
continued, in his quiet, steady tone. Il
have felt your incredulity. But you
must believe, Nab"
~ do believe" returned. believed
that he loved me, but | believed, too,
that his love was based on pity. be.
lieved that it was forced growth. which
he had carefully fostered, and which, il
the care and encouragement which he
had bestowed on it were Withdrawn.
would die an easy and natural death.
Four years ago he had learnt that
cared for him; the thought of my unre.
Quilted love had panied him constantly.
he had been very sorry for me, very
grateful to me; he had ionged and
which, unasked, / had bestowed. And
his heart had answered the demand he
made upon it. lie loved me. l had
watched bis love grow, read it in the
softer chances which nowadays he gave
me, heard it in the gentler, less mas.
terful tones with which he spoke to me.
But such love was humiliating-more
humiliating than his Indifference had
! been. He loved me, not inevitably, but
/ ~ 6n1ih 70 0rvinpS lnSipn
Il do believe" said. Il think you
love me-but think, too, that if you
try you will forget me-
NAB, you are cruel!' he exclaimed
in quiet voice. but reproachfully.
lie made no further protest, nc
stronger denial. Protests were not
much in Ned's way, but chose to ig.
more that truth. In my pride and bit
terness chose to tell myself that he
knew he would, If he tried, forget. Love
which is based on gratitude and pity
will die an easy death when the basis
ofgratitude and pity has been withdrawn.
"You think me tickle. Nab. Perhaps
! deserve your judgment; have proved
tickle once. / shall not change again,
| think
He qualified his assertion by ~
think" for Neds statements were al.
ways temperate-but there was little
doubt expressed in his voice and glance.
He came step nearer me and took my
hands in his and looked down into my
eyes. In spite OF myself, let my soul
for one long blissful moment drink its
fill Of happiness. Ny heart danced; my
head was light with Intoxicating joy.
Then resolutely struggled away from
the love that tempted me; again called
pride to my aid.
Ned, tell me one thing. Will you
answer one questson-truthfully?
AS many questions as you like
truthfully, you may be sure"
did you love me at first because yo,
thought that loved you?"
'.At first, perhaps SO. am not sure
The beginning of my love dates . long
way back"
drew my hands from his, and pu
them tightly together behind me.
"Ned-lately-" asked-''what have
you thought? Have you fancied still
cared for you?"
He hesitated for a moment. Then
"Yes,' he answered, truthfully, Il hav,
thought SO. You have often been COLI
to me, and sometimes little cruel: bu
believe in your heart You love me;
have read your love in thousant
ways"
.You have been Mistaken returned
harshly. "You have read what doesn'
exist"
He was silent for few moments space
"You do not love me, Mab?" he asked
in a grieved tone through which a threa
of surprise ran. That note of surpris
braced my pride, which his sorro,
would have otherwise softened "Yo
used to love me.'
"Why should be more constant tina
you? ! was . child-no more than
child. Why will you always remembe
that childish folly against me? On
outgrows ones childish loves and hates.
"Is that my answer, Mab?"
"Yes.'
l turned away from tho door of tn
, summer-house; went slowly littl
way along the garden path. He followed
lyon will very quickly forget mt
, Ned" said; and l stopped hastily. i
time to check sob that rose.
. + 1--WE need not discuss that question,
[ he replied. T.. =,
, 'ln year or two you will be rathe
glad that / refused you"
, lie half smiled. "You hold one vie
OF my character, Nab, and ] another.
he responded, quietly.
/ Very slowly we walked toward tn
house. When we reached it, / spok
again.
"Shall you-go away?" faltered.
. "Yes. You have decided that poir