Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-04-13

and To learn to separate you from John
IN my mind. And | wanted to be my
very self when we should meet again,
hesides-not helpless and dependent any
more. but Il woman who could take her
life into her own hands if need were.
Do you understand"
Royal bent his head. His brain was
in a whirl, but it held fast to one joyful
fact; she had known the whole story
when she had written that note. His
heart leaped. but he held himself in
check.
When | learned that John was dead
it seemed at first as though half my life
had been broken off and buried with
him" the soft voice proceeded. And
dared not weep for him, even when my
heart was aching. That was hard, for
there was never time in my life with
out the thought of John. 1t seems
strange that he should have continued
to care for me so much through all those
years-that he should have shortened
his life through trying to provide for
me. 1t makes me feel so guilty, so self
ish, that after my sight began to fail
should have been more taken up with
my own hopes and fears than with
thoughts of him-that | never should
have loved him as he deserved to be
loved" The voice was wistful and very
tender, but the sweet gray eyes were
fearless.
Royal rose and came to her, unable
any longer to master his emotions. Bend
ing down he took her hands and raised
her to her feet:
You knew it all when you wrote that
note-knew that you were not, and
never had been, John Royals wife, but
were mine? And you asked me to come
to you'll Phyllis, do you know what you
are doing? Do you know that you are
giving me hope of more than forgive
ness?"
Her sweet eyes met his in all simple
ity, and her hands were not withdrawn
from his clasp, She was without the
catlike impulse which leads women to
play with men in moments of strong
emotion. And in her unworldliness,
her lack of self consciousness, it seemed
to her that so far from having aught to
forgive, no woman had been so loved, 30
honored.
You have done so much-suffered so
much-for me, both you and John. 1t
hardly seems credible that men should
80 sacrifice themselves to the helpless
ness of a woman. But"-with proud
uplifting of her head-"you must not let
me hamper your lfe-must not feel
obliged to hold to the marriage. Nina
told me what you said am so CRATE
full to you that to have you feel yourself
bound in any way She faltered
and broke down, for his eyes were on
her eyes, and she could not fail to read
their meaning.
With quick, almost passionate gest-
ure Royals arms closed round her and
drew her to his breast.
my own-my own, at last" he muir
INJURED, bending his face and seeking her
lips with his lips. "Do you think will
let you go?-that | can let you go?
Never, until death shall part us. my
love! my wife!"
And for space there was silence.
After "a wolfe, when they had talked
the affair over from beginning to end,
and canvassed it extensively, Phyllis,
twisting and turning around her finger
a diamond ring new to the place, said in
low voice:
THAT marriage with you was legal,
know, and would stand in court, and all
that; but, DIR. Royal, you were not in
my thoughts during the ceremony, nor
afterward, as yourself | thought Of
John. Perhaps it Is woman's fancy,
but l wish She hesitated.
"You wish WHAT" Royal questioned,
possessing himself of her hand, and
merging rapidly into that state of mind
in which anything short of half his
kingdom appears to a man too paltry to
offer the woman of his love.
ITO marry you, and think of you while
I'm doing it." She smiled and then the
blood mounted to her forehead; she
turned from him petulantly; why did
you make me say it? You should have
asked me yourself"
Forgive me, my darling, l should
indeed" Royal admitted penitently.
IA mans laundering simpleton at
best, and when he's in love and very
happy he's like a creature dazzled. !
ask you now hundred times! I'll get
the preacher and the ring this very
evening"
But Phyllis shrank from such precipi-
tation. They must consult with Nina
and see what she thought best. And
she did not want another ring. John
had faithfully loved her, and had been,
moreover, the means of their union; it
would be heartless and ungrateful to