Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-07-11

you have played the role of teacherY'
She shrugged her shoulders - the
movement indicating neither admis-
sion nor denial.
what would you have DONE" he
said, what would you have thought,
II had kissed you?"
what would / have thought?' she
repeated, slowly. Really, I cannot
tell you, for no man has ever done
that"
He burst into harsh laugh
sob, l dare say notv'
"You do not believe me?"
"You are a woman" he answered
| "Believe me or not then, it is true"
"What would / not give to think So"
he cried. What would not give to
blot this last hour from my memory.
But something here"-he laid his hand
on his breast-"tells me that yours
were no idle words, the thoughtless
utterances of listIess mind; but the
sincere convictions of one who has
known this pitiful world at its worst
Where did you learn it all? Who is re-
sponsible for it? And who would
have dreamed that you could have
changed like this.' .......
She had been listening attentively;
but now she broke in: II have not
changed; 1 am to-day just what was
six years ago."
| mot changed! You! Why, if you
had died and some one else had taken
your place, you could not be more un-
| like the girl knew"
/ ssVnn
| What did you-a mere boy romping
with my brothers, or playing at love
with Kate-know of me and my life?"
playing at love with your sister!'
he repeated. Now, what folly is thisp
/ admired and liked her. as one likes
good comrade or pleasant friend, but
beyond that nothing. 1t was you I
loved" ... 81.
She stared at him incredulously;
then she said: II wonder if you know
what you are saying"
81 always loved you," he cried. For
six years l have had you constantly in
my memory; there has not been an
hour of the day when you have not
been with me. Sometimes have won
dered what you'were doing in your mer-
ry world; sometimes have dreamed Of
you as l last saw you-all in white,
with duchesse rose on your breast;
again, have recalled idle speeches,
careless words, little gems of fancy
that you no doubt forgot Immediately,
but which fingered with me always,
and, no matter in what guise or at
what time thought of you, it was al
With ho
When people disappointed me, or when
women Jared upon my finer sensibili-
ties, Ihad only to rememb Der there yet
lived one whose mind was pure and
whose soul was unsullied from the
world" r.a ...
Her eyes dilated: ''And do you not
think so now?" Ga H..#H.r.r
He turned away, and for moment
there was silence in the room; then he
answered, sadly: II cannoty'
She looked at him curiously. 81 am
very sorry for you," she said, "but 1
do not think / am to blame. II is
pity you should have thought so we'll
of me-"
YES" he responded, at is pity"
And then, before she could prevent
him, he was kneeling beside her and
looking with hungry passion in her
face.
II could kiss you now," he said, "for
we are all alone, and you have said
enough to justify my doing so-but 1
will not, in memory of what thought
you were" "
He took her hand and stroked it gen.
~ Al
dead.
why did you do it, dear? Why did
you rob me of my illusion and turn my
JOY into bitterness?"
She did not answer, but for the first
time in her careless life she was gen.
timely touched, and If it had been in
her power she would have given much
to recall her words and restore to him
the ideal he had lost. Hitherto she had
Knocked at the protestations of men;
but now it was impossible to do SO.
II believe you are sorry for me-" he
went on, ''and 1 suppose that is some
thing to your credit; but do not think
you know yet what you have done.
You have broken my heart! Oh, I
shall not play the fool, or the coward,
either-for that matter, nobody will
know the difference, but 1 will know"
you will forget me-" she said.
after time shall be but memory
to YOU"
He dropped her hand and got slowly
to his feet: How pretty you are and
how gentle seeming! 1t is not strange
1 should have loved you. Do all men
love you who know you? Have many
come to grief as 1 have done-or do
they understand you better? This is a
charming room," looking absently
around; Il wonder how many hearts
have been broken in it-how many
glad hopes wrecked? Yes, it is pity
should have been mistaken in you; but,
as you say, was mere boy, SO L may
be forgiven. In future / shall not err
so readily; and for this owe you my
thanks. And now 1 must be going
my train leaves at midnight, and 1 will
not detain YOU" .r.......
She arose and offered him her hand.
~ did not mean to hurt you," she said;
"if had known-if it'had ever crossed
] nv mind"