Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-01-10
There was no answer, but another

There was no answer, but another
sob.
do not torture me, Winnie; am in
agony when 1 think of the trouble I
have brought upon you. And yet, oh
God, how [ suffer myself! There must
be an end to this, darling. I shall take
you away with ms. Will you cume?
Oh, Winnie, say you will-that you
will marry me in spite of the world"
His voice grew passionate and husky;
he suddenly knelt by the sofa and put
his arms out as if to clasp the form of
her whom he so loved. But hand
pushed him away.
"You will not?" he cried, springing
up. Winnie, have pity on me. I can
not keep faith with that woman. Would
it be honorable, when Ihate her?"
1T would really be absurd to keep
up the farce any longer, Atlee Lang
don," and Maude arose from the sofa
and walked with her usual slow steps
into the room, turned on the lights and
flooded the room with light. No trace
of tears on that fair. calm face; the sobs
had been but part of the farce.
%Pray do not remain in that cold
window, Mr.. Langdon; if you will
touch the bell we will have more Goals
put on the fire. As for the pretty
little story which I have long suspected,
and am now fully informed of, beg
you will believe it will not cost me an
other thought. regret that you will
have the trouble of repeating your pro-
posal to the one for whom it was in
tended; but really, under the circum-
stances, 1 do not think you willlfind an
elopement necessary"
81 have nothing to say in exculpation
of myself" ne replied; 81 know have
behaved dishouorably, and you have
every right to reproach me-"
Pray spare me any discussion of
this" said Maude, calmly; 81 have no
reproaches to make; your regard is
now, and has always been, a matter of
indifference to me"
Then why did you accept itp"
Because thought you would do as
well for husband as any one, and the
world makes the position of an unmar-
ried woman uncomfortable"
"Then you never loved me?"
"a
%Thank God 1 was spared from such
a marriage" he thinks inwardly. al
low me to finish what was SAYING" he
said aloud; sin this entire affair 1 only
have been to blame Winnie was led into
| it by me and the poor child has suf-
fered."
ooh of course" said Maude, indiffer-
emily. but really all this is of no conse-
quence to me, and must beg you again
to drop the subject.
As she spoke the door opened and
Mrs. Langdon entered.
what subject is to be dropped ?"
she asked smilinglY. Il fancy under
stand now why you were so reluctant to
go out tonight Maude; you craved q
tete-a-tete with Atlee."
%Yes, stopped at home for that pur-
pose"
Atlee stood by the table, watching
the door. 'tDid Winnie come with you?"
he asked.
%Of course; she went immediately to
her room, I believe"
@No, I am here, cousin; was so
tired that I had to creep up stairs, she
explained.
Atlee stepped forward to meet her.
winnie" he said In q quick, breath
less voice, SMaude knows all; it is ali
over between us. Tell me now, before
her and my mother, that you are mine. I"
pray what is the meaning of this p
cried Mrs Langdon.
Atlee took no notice of the question ;
he looked beseechingly at Winnie, who
stood trembling near him.
as Il true?' She whispered ct last.