Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1894-04-14
CHAPTER XLVI.
PREPARING FOR POSSIBILITIES.


"Oh. cannot marry" said Judith, her
voice betraying extreme agitation.
With Gordon's infidelity fresh in your
memory the idea of marriage must have
been repugnant to you,' Kavanagh re-
piled "For that reason | have subdued
the natural impulse of my heart and con-
trolled the expression of my dearest hopes
even to the extent, fear of seeming re
served and cold. If Gordon were dead and
had died faithful to you, ! should feel that
his memory was still bar which respect
for widowed love forbade me TO pass. But
the proofs of his preference for worthless
woman, of his heartless treachery toward
you, must lougago have eXtinguished every
spark of affection you felt for him or am
utterly mistaken in your character. No; !
would rather have you refuse to be my wife
for another cause. much as that othercaus
would strain the bonds of dear friend
ship"
THAT other cause-l do not understand
YOU quite now"
II will speak plainly. though ! betray
my own weakness. am jealous Of Taras
! have been jealous OF him since you came
here and this feeling has grown, not with
out reason, until it is too great to be con
cealed. IL urges me on to this last point
! can be silent no longer-hde my passion
no more. must speak and end the tor
ment in which live. The vitriol that was
thrown into his eyes is nothing to the cor
rudiug venom that sears my very soul and
blinds my reason when Nee him take your
hand"-
"Oh, Mr.. kavanaghr'
NO, no-you must hear me out now that
speak, for it may be the last time. You
are all in all to Taras. You are with him
every hour of the day He loves you-you
must know that"
III 1 knew that, should not. could
not, stay with him."
Tell me that again." he said eagerly.
for If ynu do not know that it is because
you do not love him."
He does not love me. II ! thought il
necessary to defend myself | could tell you
why"
II do not ask for explanation. 1t is
enough for me that you say it is so, and
thank God for il. Forgive me If | have
offended you You must forgive me- know.
ing how deep my passion is by the mad
lengths to which it has led me. Look in
my face-see how my hand trembles Oh,
If you knew, az one day hope you shall
know, what | have done to make you
mine" lie paused, MS If perceiving that
his passion had brought him TO the edge of
an abyss.
You frighten me. Let us 20 You hurt
my hand" Judith said in pain
1T is past. See, am a rational heing
again now. There, you are free to leave me
II you will, but for PHYS sake give me an
answer now. | swear TO abide by your de
cision, and If you bid me 80 | will go, and
you shall never see my face again. You
have told me you cannot marry. but not
why"
II do not know. II may be only senti
ment that makes 1t seem impossible-a
feeling that ought not to marry"
IF it be only sentiment, reason will in
time prevail. Take time to consider my
offer. 1t is too grave II question to be de
cided in one moment Until now the idea
OF being my wife has not presented itself
to your imagination"
Indeed il has never entered my
thoughts. have regarded you ways as
friend-a most generous and loyal friend
but not-not"-
Not as lover. No, my manner is
against me. Filtration Is odous to me
Love seems to me TOO great a thing to be
frittered away. A man should have one
passion ana no more, u grand passion 10
which all ends are subjected, and such II
love offer you. Think Of me during the
coming week not as friend only, but AS n
lover, and next Sunday let me know my
fate ask you now oply to promise me
that" '.sttafs ssBr
~ promise" said Judith family.
with all my soul thank you. Rest
assured that l shall not attempt to alter
your decision. IL shall be final, II you
tell me that you cannot be my wife. shall
throw up everything on the, morrow and
leave England forever, Come. let us 20
back mere friends as we came. Your
father still there-see.
Judith made no answer, She may have
been thinking, rs doubtless Kavanagh in
tended she should think, of what would
befall her father II she refused to marry.
thought it advisable to tell Mr.. Pelham
of the discovery | had made, or at least
part of it, and that, confess, not the least
important part in my estimation. An op
portunity occurred that evening.
Mr.. Pelham had brought his sister home
from church, and being induced to stay to
supper with us we were left together while
the precise Miss Janet was changing her
churchgoing dress up stairs.
II am delighted to see you looking SO
we'll" said he. smiling. as he seated him