The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-04-24

sDondsa .'On the contrary, il is the
very best thing II the world for me
indeed. for Us both I'm much stronger
than yol suppose He could hardly re
strain smile as ne made the assertion
the plans must not be changed We
must leave by that 2:20 train. II is i'm
perative that we should- You are ready.
suppose?''
He Intended 70 take her whether she
should be or not. bit put the question
from sheer nervousness. Anything was
better than sitting beside her In state
OF absolute passivity.
''Ob, yes. Iy trunks wera packed
some days ago. md al the arrangements
made. fOa were SO eEEllclt-5o-so
nasterflll with another ripping laugh.
'Yoa have n9t changed II thar, john.
Iou love your own way SIN. Is 1t not
50: B-T tls- arrangements need make
no dl1ereace. Ne can stay over day
or Two . resi- If II viii be bst5sr for you.
You VII Ike . SEE the old place and 20
VISIT Aa1t AIne's grave. she was Sc
fond Of yOa. We could stop over for
that.
But Rgy:-l ..auld not hear OF stopping
over for ss;IT ling. His private feeling
toward JEla deceased lady was one of dis
tlnct au-2oai1y. He hoped orthodoxy
and yepgeEl-!y that she might be doing
spiritual peaznce for me trouble and dis
uess likely 70 De entailed by the acts of
her material lie, and would gladly have
Know ------ --L- sF-4s ware o. the mis-
carriage q her plans and greatly tor
InalCci tEs-eby. He eecerahzed for
no-neEs n regard 70 the old home and
the desire 70 seeir Which he was expected
TO feel; but he made It evident that ne
INTENDED u la..Ee by the first down train.
Unlike brides IN general, this young
lady appeared dOcile and amenable 10 an
exceptional decree. ROYAL, IN the midst
OF his anlsty. wondered over her, and
felt the soul Within him moved TO graft
Tude. Then his professional experience
reminded him that women are usually
submissive TO the power conferred by
suffering. In the eyes of this woman ne,
perhaps. appeared a wounded hero.
Her next words made evident that
such was inieed the case.
"That horrible accident she muir
INJURED, and a quick shudder ran through
her frame. Il can't help feeling that
half has not been told me-that you
have all conspirei I'd keep the worst
back and make light Of it, in order to
spare me pain. You poor fellow! how
You must have suffered! Itwas terrible
"a home coming like that, after six
years exile. Whan I think of it aIl-of
what yOu have done for me-of what
you are doing for me and enduring for
my sake-and then think OF the anxiety
II store for yod-f1r Us BOTH feel that
lifetime OF love and devotion viii
hardly pay interest on the debt owe
you. Am worth it to You, John: VIII
| ever be worth II TO YOU"
Her voice t-embled q little. and ROYAL
had an intuition that she was holding
back tears He felt a sudden structure
of the heart, as though the blood had
been drained AWAY This was not the
happy chatter Of girl bride, loving and
beloved. Through this woman's voice
pulsed an undercurrent OF pathos, thrill
ing its sweetness like minor chords IN
music. He felt, somehow. that IN spite
or his best endeavor he was taking I'M
fair advantage of the man who had
trusted him, was getting a glimpse into
arcana winch no stranger unauthorized
should penetrate. Els pity grew apace,
and beside Il developed devouring
curiosity, until his very breast seemed
strained by stress and cOmpls1ity OF
emotion. He yegrDel 70 speak 70 her,
but burst not for LACK OF proper words
and an assured position, and 50 dUlnbly
waited, feeling that if she should con-
Gnue TO talk IN that strain during the
rest of the drive he could not be held ac-
cOUuta5le for his actions.
She did not appear 10 notice his silence
or 70 be hurt by II; perhaps she was IL
some subtle W. conscious Of the tension
OF his mood, or she may have been pre-
occupied by her own thoughts. For a
little space there was silence.
THAT old time is SO long ago that You
can't love me IN the old way, John. 1t
isn't possible. There has been so much
in your fife-change, adventure and
quantities of new and interesting people.
Not quite IN the old way, but enough
still TO enable me to develop new and
stronger love. They say a love increases
with the strain put on II, and IN that
case yours VIII grow as compact and
firm as the heart of an oak That's
pretty TO think of, isn't it, Then with
a sudden change OF tone: 1t is six years
since we have Snnn each other John
Just think Of II! They say that I have
changed very little, and I suppose you
would have known me anywhere. Have
you changed, wonder: Let me see"
Royal involuntarily turned his face
away and drew his breath hard. This
was the moment he hssd dreaded; for If
she should detect the imposture there
would be the end of his scheme for spar
ing her still little while. And how