The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1892-03-10

to see new sights, new faces. l want
ed some one to help me forget that
had given my heart to man who did
not care for it.
"And so you married me-" Mark
Evelyn said again.
Six hours before that they had
stood side by side, vowing to cleave
unto each other while their lives
lasted. Their wedding had been a
noted one. Mark Evelyn was the
"catch" of the season. Elizabeth
Gilman was much envied when her
engagement was announced. She had
no great gift OF beauty or talent-she
was not in her first youth-had been
"out" for five years. But Mark
loved her from the beginning of their
acquaintance and rejolced when she
promised to be his wife.
Mark Evelyn's nature was a noble
one; selfishness had not the slightest
place in it. Heretofore he had de-
served little credit for this; the best
things in life had always come to him;
he had never been disappointed, was
an adored son and brother, general
favorite i'll society. Without being in
the least conceited he knew his power
and worth. And now this woman he
adored-his wife-had told him that
she did not love him.
Elizabeth sat miserably before her
husband. He noted everything about
her-the way her soft wrapper chung
to her form-just how she held her
hands-clutched, not clasped. The
little pain lines about her mouth hurt
him so. Her eyes were cast down
her face looked dead. Mark felt sure
that her heart was saying: Life is all
over for me-"
Elizabeth" he said, slowly and
kindly, "you have done yourself a
great wrong. You should have told
me all this yesterday"
You did not ask me ifIloved you,"
began his wife, half defiantly.
II did not think it necessary, dear, "
he answered. 81 believed you incapa-
BILE OF marrying one you did not care
Ior."
Elizabeth shivered. She felt that
she deserved this and more. But
Mark never reproached her again.
ga few hours ago you promised to
honor and obey me-" he continued
after awhile. ''Will you let me shape
your future? You married me to en-
able you to forget. May help your
Do not tell me that mans name; it
will not mend matters. You want to
leave home--to make a new life for
yourself-you shall do so. We will
stay in California; have interests
there. If l thought you would be hap
pier away from me | would leave you.
But know you would not. Our sep,
aration might give rise to q scandal.
You would have to bear the burden oil
blame. I will be your husband only
in the eyes of the world; bat lean pro
tect you and be your friend. l have
the right to ask what l please of you
Elizabeth, and ask this"
Thus was formed a strange friend
ship.
A year later Mr.. and Mrs. Evelyn
occupied a suit of rooms in a Sar
Francisco hotel. They were mode
pair-quite the talk of the house. Aft.
er whole year of married life this
husband continued to spend his even
ings with hiswife. He gave no little
dinner parties, freouented no clubs
participated in no innocent hirtations
seemed scarcely to be aware OF the
many beautiful women who were
ready to smile upon him and hi:
wealth.
And the men soon discovered
another remarkable circumstance
Mrs Evelyn paid not the smallest
attention to their admiring glances.
The dead look in Elizabeth's face
had gone, and so had the pain lines
about her mouth. Day after day SHE
acknowledged to herself that she hac
never been as happy as she was now
There was nothing Mark could dc
that he did not do for her. He Law
ished his wealth upon her. She hat
no petty annoyances and enjoyed
complete liberty. She had no moods
to contend with in her husband. /
Mark had faults he lever displayed
them before her. Her life was like {
beautiful dream. Every little atten
ton was hers-her very wishes were
anticipated.
! Mark studied her tastes, her ideas
on every subject. They were entirely
congenial. Both were devoted tt
music and art. They practiced ant
sang together. They loved books ant
read the newest and best of literature
Elizabeth was fond Of flowers. Mari
brought her fresh ones every day HI
never bored her with his society, anC
yet he never left her too much alone
Every day Elizabeth had some ney
thing to be grateful for.
| Mark never approached her will
lover-like attention. He was he
friend and appeared satisfied witt
things as they were.
One day in her husbands absenc
Elizabeth went into his chamber
their bedrooms were on either side @
their parlor. She found there pho
tograph of herself; the following poer
was pasted on the back of it:
Oh, love is weak
| Which counts the answer and the gains,
Weighs all the losses and the pains,
And eagerly each fond word drains
A joy to seek.
When love is strong
1t never tarries to take heed,
Or knows fits return exceed
Its gilt, in its sweet haste no greed,
No strife belong.
It hardly asks
fit be loved at all! To take
So barren sums, when it can make
Such bliss for the beloved sake
O bitter tasks!
Elizabeth cried bitterly as she reat
Yes, Mark s was the strong love an
she was not worth it. Why coul
she not love him? She did, dearl,
after a fashion; she revered him an
was grateful for his goodness to he
But the old passion for the man wh
had not cared for her was still aliv
She could not pretend what she di
not feel
She felt very humble. II she coul
only do something for him! In tt
beginning, when she first realized no
he intended to treat her, she ha
begged him to be less kind put hi
away from him, She never forgot h
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