Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-02-20

why SO, Roy?"
Listen, little woman. am in an
odd mood tonight, and I wish very
much to talk to you. May I?'
For answer she touched him lightly,
| lovingly, ON the face with her Olsen
gagged hand and bowed assent.
"Then listen while make my con-
fession. am different from other men,
much as count you different from all
| women. l have met many, in all the
capitals of Europe, and here in my own
country. 1 have never been affected by
| any as was by you. In the first in
stant Of meeting yOu l had chosen You
for my wife When I asked for you, I
had not the least idea that you would
refuse until, having spoken, saw the
bold audacity of my words, and for half
| an instant the idea lived with me that
l was too presumptuous.
lyon were not, my Roy. Like you, I
have passed lovers by as unaffected as
by the ocean breezes. When met you,
said to myself, This is my master, "
"God bless you, Emily. Let me con-
tinue have chosen you to be my wife.
As heaven is my witness, l shall never
deceive you in aught. But-and this is
the hard test which your love must en-
dure-I may be compelled at times TO
keep you in ignorance of some things.
Do you think that your love is great
enough to believe that when do so 1t
is from love of you that l keep a secret
from you?"
"Roy, perhaps this is conceit, but if
so, still I say it. a weaker love than
mine would say to you, L trust you, but
/ love you so that you need not hesitate
to share your secrets with me- l tell
you that trust you implicitly; that
am content to hear your secrets or not,
as your own Judgment and love for me
shall decide.
"I knew that you would speak so.
Had you said less l should have been
disappointed. I will tell you then at
once that there is q secret i'll my life
which I have shared with no one, and
which am not willing yet to reveal to
you. Are you still content?"
"Do you doubt it? Do you think that
I would make an assertion only to draw
back from my boast as soon as tried?"
"No, my Queen, but it is asking
much to ask a woman to marry while
there Is a secret which cannot be told
especially when there are those who
may believe that there is shame or
worse concealed
mo one would dare to so misjudge
you |"
Indeed, but you are mistaken. There
are those who do not count me as ire
proachable as 1 may seem to you. What
if I were to tell you that detective
watches me day and night?"
"Ohol That would not frighten me.
You have explained all about your wa
ger. I suppose Mr.. Barnes is keeping
an eye on you. Is that it:''
Partly that, and partly because he
thinks that I am connected with this
murdered woman. To certain extent
he is right.
"You mean that you knew herr"
Yes Mr.. Mitchell paused to see
whether she would ask another ques-
tion after bis admission. But she meant
all that she had said when asserting
that she trusted him. She remained si-
lent. Mr.. Mitchell continued: "Natu
rally Mr. Barnes is desirous of learning
how much 1 know. There are urgent
reasons why do not wish him to do so.
You have it in your power to aid me. "
II will do sop
"You have not heard what it is that
wish"
"I do not care what it is. will do
it if you ask me-"
"You are worthy of my love. " He
drew her gently toward him and kissed
her lightly ON the lips. II say it not in
egotism, for I love you as much as man
may. Were you unworthy-I should
never love again.
"You may trust me, Roy" Her
words were simple, but there was a
passion Of truth contained in their Mt
terauce.
Il will tell you at once what l wish,
for it must be done promptly. You
must be ready Who is that?"
Mr.. Mitchell spoke the last two words
in O sharp tone, rising from his seat
and taking step forward. The large
room was but dimly lighted, the gas
having been lowered to please Emily,
who abhorred well lighted rooms. At
the farther end some one was standing,
and had attracted Mr.. Mitchel's atten-
tion. It was Lucette, and she replied at
| once;
Your mother sent me TO know If
you are ready for supper, Miss Emily" "
"Say that we will be in in few
minutes, replied Emily, and Lucette
left the room.
''Who Is that girl2" asked Mr.. Mitch
el.
Emily explained how the new maid
had been engaged, and Mr.. Mitchell,
speaking in tone louder than was real
ly necessary, said:
"She seems to be quiet, good girl.
Rather too quiet, for she startled me
coming In so noiselessly. Shall we go
in? What have to tell you will keep.
1t is something WISH you to do for me
| the day after tomorrow.
After supper Mr.. Mitchell took the
two girls and their mother to the thea
ter, much to the delight Of the latter,
who was always shocked whenever En-
| lily went unattended by chaperon.
The party walked going and coming,
and as Dora and her mother were ahead
Mr.. Mitchell had ample opportunity to
explain to his fiancee the favor which
he wished her to do for him. When
| leaving the house that night he said:
"You will not see me again for
couple Of days. Keep we'll till then. "
Lucette, who had overheard this re-
mark, was therefore rather astonished
to see Mr. Mitchell walk in the next
! morning as early as 10 O'Clock. She was
still more surprised to have her mis-
tress announce that she was going out.
What puzzled her most OF all was that
Emily went out alone, leaving Mr..
Mitchell in the parlor. In fact, this
seemed to give her so much food for re-
fection that, as though struck by the
conclusions arrived ut, she herself pre-
pared to 90 out. AS she was passing
along the hall, however, the parlor door
opened and Mr.. Mitchell confronted her.
Where are you going, Lucettef"
Il have an errand to do, sir, " she re-
| piled, with slight tremor.
Come into the parlor first. l wish
to speak to you. " She felt compelled TO
obey, and walked into the room, Mr..
| Mitchell opening the door and waiting
| for her TO pass through. He then fol-
lowed, after closing the door behind
him, locking it and taking the key from
| the lock.
why did you do thatf" asked Lu-
cette angrily.
"You forget yourself. Lucette. You