The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1893-01-20
CHAPTER lI.-COntinued.


He soon contrived to murmur in my
bar: Il would not hesitate. Olaf Avel.
ing is ready whenever you are. Better
take what risk there Is than 20 on, like
this, in anxiety and self-tOrment."
Very well. l answered, tell him, II
you see him before do, that am will
ing it shall be tomorrow night"
And tomorrow night it was. But be-
fore then I had long talk with Linda.
To some Of this Conrad listened, and
thought that he did SO with hungry
eagerness, varied by suspicious glances
at myself. The poor fellow seemed to
have some distressing doubt of my own
continued love for him. l we'll knew
that this was at the root of all his I'M
easiness. 1t refreshed me wonderfully
when he at length yielded either to my
will power or his own WEAKNESS and
lapsed into a feverish yet decided
slumber.
I promptly addressed Linda then
with these direct apd tremulous words:
You have shown me that you care
for me. II can only speak in whis-
pers like this. or he will hear. Do you
understands"
Yes" She answered, family, droop-
ing her eyes.
"Oh, Linda" pursued, how much
do you really care for me?"
Il, Victor?" she faltered; why, I'm
your fond, devoted sister. Have I not
said this to you more than once?"
1t has meant nothing to me, Linda,
II love you in another way from that.
You must have SEEM"
Victor, what are you saying?"
Then you think me madly fOolish?'
"Oh, yes, yes; why not?"
you mean-because Of him."
"COnrad-yes."
But listen, Linda. If were freed
from him, what them"
Freed from Conrad? Oh, you can't
be serious-you can't"
But l am. There is a possibility Of
our separation. Aveling has told you
nothing Of it?"
mo. no" she answered, in consterna-
ton and alright. Victor, you don t
dream that such thing could be accom-
plished?"
controlled my yearning to tell her
the real truth.
1T certainly might be accomplished,
Linda" And here 1 seized her hand,
raining soft and soundless kisses upon
1t. If it were, Linda, what them"
What them" she repeated, bewilder-
eddy, letting me retain her hand. Then,
on sudden, precipitately rising, she
threw her arms about my neck and kissed
flash, she glided from my sight.
felt, with great, fierce, intoxicating
thrills that had had my answer And
such an answer! 1t nerved me for un-
told bodily agony to come.
That nirht oftor ond 7 hod 70
tired, knew that the operation would
occur. For some time my brother lay
sleepless at my side. and piled me with
questions.
why are you SO wakeful, Victor?" he
queried.
Il, Conrad?" came my response. 1T
is you who are wakeful. You know 1
do not sleep as readily as yourself"
But you're excited. Your heart is
beating fast. Why is that?"
You only imagine, Conrad"
mo, no; feel it beat. I feel it all
through my frame. Why do feel your
heart beat like this, Victor? Why?
Why"
"You do not, Conrad" strove to say
calmly, you only fancy it.
Fancy it. Pah! You're unhappy
about something. All, I know know,
and his voice became fearful. You're
sorry we're joined together. You
you want to have us cut apart. Am I
not right, Victor?"
NO." 1 said, steadying my voice as
best could. mo. indeed. There, are
you satisfied"
IL can't be-"
What puts such strange thoughts
into your mind, Conrad?" l urged, re-