Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-12-17

be able to treat Eric more kindly
when she mad conquered herself.
He might almost sympathize with
me-" she thought, 'ssince he has been
through the same experience"
81 suppose she is heartless as Maude
il the truth was KNOWN" Eric
thought bitterly, as he put down the
picture and began to walk OF his dis
turbance.
There was rap at the door. He
opened it.
There stood Henry Nash.
'Good-evening."
sAh, good-evening. Come in; have
a chair.
Gin the doldrums?" asked Nash, as
he sat down. with glance at Eric's
moody countenance.
"Why, no." said Eric slowly, re-
Stunning his seat, and slipping Clara's
picture under a pile Of papers, q
movement which did not escape the
eye of his caller.
'.Ive seen you with a happier
phiz," remarked Nash, as he took up
volume of Shelley's poems and be-
gan to turn the leaves idly.
The two young men had been
friends from boyhood. It was union
of dissimilar temperaments. SWELL,
I have felt happier in my lifetime, !"
assented Eric.
"May I ask what is this docu-
ment?" said Nash, as he came upon
Eric's resolution between the leaves
of Shelly.
He took up the envelope and read,
''Compact with myself, to be kept
until Oct 16. 1890"
''Oh, that's private matter be-
tween myself and me-" returned Eric,
reaching out his hand for the mis-
sive.
Nash saw that he changed color.
"I'll wager it's compact that is
better broken than kept, come now,"
declared Nash.
II don't know about that" Eric
rejoined, quickly.
sDoes it relate to a woman?"
"Ye-es."
Nash's eyes shone keen enough to
see CnrOuRQ milestone.
"Excuse me. Whose picture have
you got there under the papers,"
photograph? Oh, that's of Clara
Raymond, 'said Eric carlesslY enough,
as he drew it from the hiding place.
"What did you put it out of sight
for?"
''Out of sight? 1t was purely
mechanical movement on my part"
"You are in love with Clara Ray
mond," declared Nash, bluntly
"Who says I amp" asked Eric, to
gain time
II say so. I've been watching the
game from the first"
s'Then wish you'd tell me exactly
how the case stands on her side," re-
marked Eric.
"You would know yourself, if you
weren't binder than bat. She has
been fond of you. but she's weaving
herself now as fast as possible"
Eric stared at him helplessly.
Show long do you expect a self re-
speeding woman to stand with her
heart in her hand waiting for you to
ask for it?" demanded Nash.
Eric still stared blankly. Then his
eye fell upon the sealed compact. He
took it up obviously.
'sBreak it open!" exclaimed Nash.
Eric obeyed. Nash had the whip
hand of him. He drew out the sheet
of paper and handed 1T to the other.
''Shall I read it," asked Nash.
eyes If you want to-"
Nash's brows puckered over the
resolution.
This is a pretty piece of tomfool-
cry" he declared. But keep the
compact by all means To be kept
until oct. 16, 1890. nine months
ahead. By that time Clara will be
as far beyond YOUR reach as the moon.
She'll reject you as you deserve, and
you'll see at last what a one sided,
selfish specimen you really are"
Eric was kindllng now. He caught
the document" and tole it in strips
deliberately.
ssGood," said Nash. ssNow If you
want to win Clara Raymond, don't
let the grass grow under your feet"
r +
'But Clara, I have loved you from
the first. NY profession of mere COM
radeship was a mask. I have lived
only IN your presence. But I have
been deceived once. feared to trust
myself or you. I meant to be true
and wait"
"You meant to treat me as a child,
to keep me on probation" she inter-
rupted. "You compromised me in
the eyes of the world. was pitied
as woman who had given her heart |
to man who cared nothing for her.
Eric may have loved you once. but
I love you no longer. I have out
grown my weakness. But we can be
friends STILL"
without word he turned and
left her.
And so these kindred spirits, mis-
guided, the one by suspicion the other
by pride, went separate ways.
Went separate ways, but not for a
Lott