The state herald., 1892-05-13

pulsive, that, once given possession oI
desired object, she would discard the
toy. sought to cure her by making
her believe ! cared for her. Whether
my actions were right or wrongN the
motive was good.
But l played with fire and was burn.
ed. l became infatuated with Olive,
but the real feeling within bade me re-
tain you, and so deceived you. The
intimacy with Olive was stimulated
by the fact that was separated from
you by reason OF our agreement made
that night when l left you the last
time but one, the understanding be-
ing that ! was not to see you for a
year. That night, how vividly it
comes to me. You came in your car.
riage and stood on the step. l kissed
you then, and, Floss, when l left you
Twas all but heart-broken.
Pshaw-why talk in this strain.
was weak, despicable. went to Chi
cago and from there correspondent
with Olive. The contest that was
going on within mo was something
terrible. Then | knew that ! loved
only you, and wrote to you. Up to
this time you did not know OF my de.
ception. Your answer came. You
wrote saying you were too young, and
that we should be but the best Of
friends until You more fully knew
your own mind. was not satisfied
with this, and made up my mind that
the only course for me to pursue was
to prevent Olive being rendered un-
happy, because contrary to my judg-
ment sine had not cooled as yet, so l
continued the deception.
visited the town where she lived.
My year was not up, and pride kept
me from showing to you how glad l
oiiS9.o o1s = "a fss 4 81 T; ~ ti.ss
xgo Ne1S tasrA TEN 1ms ths tiuS
E9th ypn lsAffsd u my deception.
Why did you answer me 90 when
wrote you from Chicago? You said
nothing OF the resolution made by
you, of my deception, but did you tell
Olive you knew then how much you
really cared for me2
Knowing you loved me, you shut
me out OF your heart, But am find.
ing fault with you, Floss. Forgive
mo. returned to Chicago for two
months before coming to this city.
While there met Olive, and thinking
that she retained the same regard for
me, continued the deception. /
thought when she said she had chang.
ed her mind that she was trying me,
and so / played the part on. know
now that judged rightly in the first
place, and she cares nothing for me.
| am glad OF it,
Floss. il you possess the love OF u
noble man, and are happy in that
possession, be true to that one. did
not deceive you, Floss, for was weak.
Ha! hal You said l was strong.
They say the same here. look into
the future and see the darkness that
hangs about the pathway. 1push my
footsteps forward and grope blindly,
seeking that | know does not exist for
| mo.
The days and years will come.
shall work. Already is the sunshine
OF praise OF my writing beginning to
cresp in, presaging a bright day for
the writer, but the man sees only the
!! clouds that hang dull and somber be-
hind the uassiiEs; s;sye.
Floss. j wish you wouf6 ysits TO mo
occasionally. This 10 Christina a..
and a beggar asks for aims. -sE :
While was reading this letter Jack
paced the room, his hands behind ms
head. Seeing that had finished, he
turned toward me with an unnatural,
freezing laugh that sounded so forced
that / shivered in my chair.
"Read her answer" he said. "Was
1t not n pleasant gift for Christmas?"
Slowly unfastened the blue ribbons
that held the well.worn pieces OF n yell
low envelope together. From the par
Gel iell three dried pansies. unfolded
the message and read:
Hove you, Jack, but It's too late;
was married Mt noon to-day.
That was all.-Chicago Press,