Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-06-24
ever" he said, softly, after had sung

1
him a selection or two later.
''Am | 2" 1t seems as though had
everything to change me-" I answered.
| listlessly. eft, .tfygf5r
"Why that sad little voice, Miss
Cecil--a thousand pardons-Mrs. FL
lis For was conscious of reddening.
and strange tightening of the throat.
''Of course you are much more beau
tiful, but still the same. Have YOU
been happy since | last saw your But
need hardly ask-you have everything
to make you happy and his eye glanced
around the luxuriously furnished room
IAN but the chief thing" | returned
bitterly, "and that is the love of a sin
gle being as | answered his questiSo,
ing gaze, f
Surely your husband loves you; he
worships you"
did not answer this time. but played
softly on the keys.
"And you love him 2" He bent a
little closer. as though not to lose
word .... .-f...
"No. My love was dead when mar.
ried Herbert Ellis"
You mean that you have loved be-
fore, and he's he alive ?" he asked 10
a low, constrained voice.
For q moment wild desire seized me
to tell him all my life-my thoughts
and my passionate love for him. II was
fierce struggle, but short one, and
| felt that | would not stoop so low be-
fore tho man honorcd.
"No. lie is dead y | answered me
chemically, and was glad of the dim
light which hid my face.
"You don't mean that" he exclaim-
ed, suddenly. "You know he is alive
and near you"
Cecil, my dear, your guests are 90.
ing" said my husbands voice at the
door, and | rose and followed, letting
Jack come as he would | wished thea
| might never see him again, aud
despised myself for my weakness aud
him for being the cause of it.
Again ! saw him and it was for the
last time in life was sitting in my
library when he came in was firm
that morning and quite calm. had
conquered myself the week before and
my better part had gained tho ascend
oncy. | realized could trust myself
and need no longer fear.
Jack never looked handsomer ia his
life than that morning, but there was
new look that | had not seen before.
Jack, are you i'll I" asked sudden
ly, after we had talked some time. IIs
had grown strangely pale and his fea.
lures looked pinched as though with
pain.
eyes, | ain i'll and the doctor gives
mo little encouragement. may 20 at
any time. | longcd TO SEQ you once
again, and you don't mind very much
do your His eyes grew very soft, and
pleading as he looked at me. "Don't
you feel bad for me, Cecil" he con
tinued, az some unbidden tears came
into my eyes. 81 should die perfectly
content, knowing you were near me, il
not with mo. DO you know, little one"
and be laid his hand on my trembling
one, "that your letter was nv death
blow? ! had every intention of return.
ing to you when heard of your aunt's
death aud that you were dependent. |
loved you always. | prayed to live 40
to see you again, but it's too hard
battle to fight Don't cry. darling, but
do you care for me little 7 Your hus-
band will forgive you this time, am
sure. lie cares for you so much that
in time you will learn to give him some
of the love | know you are capable of.
lie is brave man and noble one.
Will you try?'
81 will try to love him for your
sake" | answered, solemnly.
Cecil" he said. suddenly bending
toward me, "for old-times' sake kiss me
once-just once-that | may die with
something to take with me-
There was one last look and word and
| leaned forward and kissed him ten
derby. All F! ! do not regret it and never
shall. He was my one and only love,
aud although years have come aud gone
since then | still remember him with the
same thought running through my mind
THE pity Of it "