The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-12
WHEN A WOMAN WON'T

'Ricketts g. Eastwood wired TO me as
soon as the decree nisi was made absolute.
I left BY the first steamer, landed at Plym-
outh yesterday, and here 1 amp
There was an appreoiable pause; then
she said softly;
"Ah-hl I have been here all the time. -
'fWhat do you say to sea voyagel
Wouldn't it bring back your roses in dou-
bic quick time?"
"a sea voyage9" she echoed vaguely.
81 don't think quite
y "Look hereP' he said awkwardly, but
persuasively. GIVE settled it all, subject to
your approval. When we're married-eh?''
81 didn't speak, - she murrnured, brush
ing back her hair from her forehead with
q feverish gesture.
''That is the first thing to be seen to of
course. I've been to Wilson Bakett al
ready, and he promised me he would. -
would whatg'' she asked helpIessly.
s'Marry US, - he blurted out
"O-hp' she exclaimed under her breath
and flushing painfully.
e'Then Lynn-good old chap he is-has
offered to lend me the Aurora, and we can
start for the Mediterranean at once.
You've never been to Algiers, have you7''
s'No and-he is there She spoke
shamefacedly.
The man WINGED as if with a sudden
smart.
"a.
CT forgot how. But he always used
TO rave about the place, and now, as soon
as he-as soon as the case was over he went
out there. They say he is building him
self Villa
"Weu, then, we must skip Algiers in
cur travels Happily the world is wide.
Now want you to tell me when We can
start. -
'sWhen we CAM
will you join me in town and-and go to
church with nle9''
They halted in their walk, and he took
possession of her hands.
Come" he said. There's no possible
reason for delay. We have waited long.
Let US lose no more time. ]"
She released her hands gently, but deter
minedly.
my dear, " she said, ''I have something
70 tell you"
'WelP" he questioned, with a distinct
suggestion Of impatience
'Au this time, and, indeed, it has
seemed very, very long, have had moth
ing to do but to think. The first thing I
realized was that I was fFee-free to love
you as much as could. Perhaps man
cannot quite understand what that means
for a woman. l tried not to think of my
past hfe-uy life with him. You know
the blot, the sin upon it. fell short in
my duty and my faith, and despise my
self. So must you"
She spoke deliberately, as was her habit,
and very low, with her hands tightly
clasped.
''DesSest," he assured her, "you are
Hkesan women
"Oh, mol Some of them are good. I
have been weak and wicked. Perhaps
was tried too far. I used to say so in the
days when made excuses for myself"
i \ =.
doggedly. ''Why rake it up AGAIN."
Eyes. I felt the uselessness of doing so,
and turned my thoughts to the future. "
sob, sweetheartp'
"There I saw nay salvation.
"Of course 3"
but not in the way you mean"
Gin what way?"
ST should not have allowed you to come
back she said wistfully. ''Wiu you for
give me9''
You speak in riddles. -
81 must send you away, !" she said, meet
ing his gaze for the first time and without
hinching.
He burst into q laugh of genuine amuse-
ment-
Don't make 1t harder for me than it is
already, she said, her lips quivering ire
pressibly. 81 am in earnest indeed. For
how can allow myself to marry your I,
q creature of no account now, whose name
has been banded about as a common
thing. And deseryedly. Oh, one can't
pretend to the contrary. -
whats all thisp' he asked, his mouth
twisted into the semblance of a smile I'M
der his short, dark mustache.
You must admit that all say is true.
am not a 1T woman to become a wife
again.
''You mean, - he said, ''that you don't
care for me any longer. "
the night, which had at last fallen,
the outline of his face looked sickly; his
voice shook
"Oh," she said, ''you know that isn't
sol But feel I can't, 1 mustn't marry
you. have fallen low enough. Still
have only injured myself-fOr he is we'll
rid of me. I needn't injure any one else. -
At would very much like to know he
said grinnIy, if you ever cared for mes'
''Gt was my excuse, wasn't its''
''And you wish me to leave2"
She put up her hands to her face.
''Have you thought it carefully over?''
he went On in a steady, matter of fact
voice you staked and lost everything
for my sake, you said, and it has cost me
something too Not that reproach you,
for, by heaven, do love your
"You will soon get over that, almost as
soon as if married you, and then you
will zee that was right and perhaps be
grateful to me. -
SIS that al7''
Eyes -
'You are quite decided"
Quite
at had better say goOdby at once"
''Goodby.''
"We are not likely to meet again in
hurry, are we?''
mo" admitted the woman.
She held out her hands as by an impulse,
and he Immediately took possession of
them.
Your cheeks are wet, he said
care they?''
''PoOr pale little faoel Poor lonely lit
i L. IL