Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1893-01-19
CHAPTER discontinued.

He soon contrived TO murmur IN my
ear: Il would not hest ate. Olaf Avel-
ing Is ready whenever you are. Better
take what risk there Is than 80 on, like
this, In anxiety and self-torment.
very well, answered, tell him, II
you see him before do, that am will
Ing 1t shall be tomorrow night.
And tomorrow night twas. But be-
fore then l had long talk with Linda.
To some OF this G nrad listened, and
thought that he did so with hungry
eagerness, varied by suspicious Chances
at myself. The poor fellow seemed to
have some distressing doubt OF my own
continued love for him. ] well knew
that this was at the root Of all his un-
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 hat you care
for me. IL can only speak In whis-
pers like this, or he will hear. Do you
understand"
yes, she answered, family, droop-
ing her eyes
"Oh, Linda" l pursued, how much
do you really care for me2"
Il, Victor" she faltered why, I'm
your fond, devoted sister. Have / not
said this to you more than once?"
1T has meant nothing to me, Linda,
IL love you in another way from that.
You must have SEEM
Victor, what are you saylng1"
"Then you think me madly foolish?"
oh, yes, yes; why mott"
you mean-because Of hlm?"
"Conrad-yes,"
But listen, Linda. II l were freed
from him, what them"
Freed from Conrad2 Oh, you can't
be serious-you can't"
But am. There Is possibility OF
our separation, Aveling has told you
nothing Of it,"
"No. no." she answered, in consterna-
ton and alright Victor, you don't
dream that such thing could be accom-
plished2"
controlled my yearnlng to tell her
the real truth.
at certainly might be accomplished,
Linda And here l seized her hand,
raining soft and soundless kisses upon
1t. III it were, Linda, what them"
What them" she repeated bewllder-
eddy, letting me retain her hand. Then,
on a sudden, precipitately rising, she
threw her arms about my neck and kissed
mo full on the lips. Afterward, like u
flash, she glided from my sight.
l felt, with great, fierce, intoxicating
thrills that l had had my answer. And
such an answerl 1t nerved me for I'M
told bodily agony to come.
That night, after Conrad and | had re-
tired l 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, Ylctor2" he
queried. ~
Il, Conrad2" came my response, 1T
is you who are wakeful. You know |
do not sleep as readily as yourself
But you're excited. Your heart is
beating fast. Why is that2"
you only imagine, Conrad.
NO, no; feel it beat feel 1t all
through my frame. Why do feel your
heart beat like this, Victor Why2
Why"
You do not, Conrad, strove to say
calmly, you only fancy it.
Fancy It'll PAIL You're unhappy
about something. All, know know,
and his voice became fearful. You're
sorry we're joined together. You
you want to have us cut apart. Am l
not right, yictor2"
NO. said, steadying my voice as
best could. mo, indeed. There, are
you satisfied"
Ill cant be.
What puts such strange thoughts
into your mind, Conrad2" l urged, re-