Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-01-03

save the reproach must ever feel for
an acted lie Here, Roy
She drew of and extended toward him
the ring with which he had plighted
her.
He, startled, shamed. shrinking UNI
der the steady, scornful gaze of her
dark eyes. with his arms fallen from
about her cousin, and his own face
crimson with hot, traitor-blood, felt
the old spell fall over his heart once
more and the new one pass from it.
"lnez," he said. pleadingly. ''listen.
/ will"
But she unclasped her fingers, and
the ring fell nj his feet. She turned
and passed again into the shadows.
Beatrice laid her hand on his arm and
smiled in his face.
You are free, now, Roy" she said
softly. "Are you not glad?'
He looked down ut the fair face
which had so charmed him, and it sud-
denly lost all beauty for him.
'You want me to answer honcslly?"
''Why, of course"
Then" he spoke through shut
teeth, and more cruelty than lie re-
alizcd-'then, Beatrice. no, ! am not
glad l would give all own 10 have
all things rs they were before your
coming between Inez and myself. Now
you understand, and now will You care
to wear the ring she cast back to
mc?"
a hot color lived transently in the
face, then died; n look OF pain was fol-
lowed by II flaming wrath in the blue
eyes.
Mo- rang ont her angry. silver
tones-'mo, Roy Alton False to her,
and false rs well to me! Farewell!
And she left him standing, wonder,
ing ut his own sensations, feeling n
dull! pain at his heart for the broken
troth, although an hour before he had
wished il broken.
Fate sometimes grants prayer, in
very scorn of man.
Five years later, Inez Claire, still un.
wed, although Beatrice had for three
years been the wife of man old
enough to be her father. but wealthy
lnez Claire entered IL city hospital by
mercst chance.
The nurses were 81 ding from couch
to couch, silent, gentle, soothing; now
laying soft. cool hands on a flushed
check, now touching with light fingers
bandage, now holding draught TO
fcvered lips.
lnez followed one whose voice and
touch seemed TO calm and heal. us she
went among the sufferers; and this one
paused at last, and stood long gazing
on the wan, worn face OF man.
which lay still on its pillow
Such white. cold face-such thin.
bl0odless face! Inez felt her own
pulses pause us she looked on it; then
low, agonized cry broke from her,
and sire darted forward aud caught the
nurses arm.
'.ls he dead? Oh. tell me that he is
not dead my love. my lover
The nurse took her hand gently. and
laid finger on her own lips.
He is sleeping" she said. softly;
they sleep SO after long fever. All.
his yes unclose! Back. nv dear lady.
DO not let him see you. lest it should
excite him. AMI he is so weak
But his lids had lifted. his eyes were
fastened on the face of Inez; and with
an effort. he put out thin. weak
hand
''Inez" he whispered "Inez. will
you stay beside me for tile while?
1T will be but little while. for | am
dying; but stay Inez. because-because
dear. L have seen no woman like YOU,
in all the years since that Nav night,
and my-my heart has ached for YOU
beyond my telling Twas weak, false.
but--but-"
Hush" faltered Inez. bending over
nun 'il'o 'oUClIcu ii >
cheek. Speak no more. Roy / VIII
stay and you shall not die. for | have
pardoncd he past. and the old love has
not persisted"
"Stay," whispered the nurse. "Bid
him sleep and have no fear for his
life. He is but weak after long
fever"
And so they met, AMI the old love
which had slept for brief time in the
mans heart, lulled by the charm of u
new. fair face, awakened to sleep no
more; and the woman. never having
forgotten, forgave rs readily as most
loving women do. even the lover
who returns repenlant from his stray
ing.
! A month later there was a aniet
wedding at which Beatrice was not
present. When she heard the far
beauty smiled triiie scornfully.
How can she trust hm?" she asked.
lie was false once. and as false TO
me-" she added, with touch of bitter
I