Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-09-25

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Why should she waste her life in grief
love herr So wrote to her-I coulC
not have spoken the words-I wrote
and told her | loved her. l asked hel
what the voice of the world mattere6
to us. The law might free her from
you, and we might be happy! Hell
answer was to send me back my letter
accompanied by the papers which
gave you to-day. She knew that
would guard the secret. l knew that
she left you, not because your love had
waned. The hate l felt toward you
the passion felt toward Viola, turned
into the deepest pity. Now you know
ALL"
1t was just after saying this that
Grant babe me goodnight, and left me
to my own reflections So l watched
and watched until morning dawned,
then broke broad and bright; until the
sun was well up; until at last we
steamed into Havre and l could step on
the broad quay and tell myself that in
a few minutes my wife would be weep
ing in my arms.
We reached the hotel. We learned
that the ladies were still there. Grants
telegram had done its work. My i'm
pulse was to rush in search of my wife,
but Grant checked me. AS he said, she
knew nothing; his message had given
no information as to the discovery he
had made. Let him see her first and
convince her that I was without a
shadow of a doubt Julian Loraine's
adopted son. Then | might see her as
soon as liked.
l consented and curbed my impa-
thence, | sat in the courtyard of the
hotel counting the minutes. Grant
must have told her by now. She must
know what joy is awaiting us. She
must be longing to throw herself into
my arms. Why am | not summoned?
Perhaps the joy has killed her! l will
wait no longer!
rose, but at that moment Grant ap-
peared. His face told me that the
good tidings had worked no evil. I
ran toward him. He grasped my hand.
Stay few minutes" he said; "she
wishes it,"
"She is well? There is nothing
wrong?"
"She is well and happy. In ten min
utes you shall see her."
Somewhat sullenly reseated myself.
Presently we were joined by the sweet
faced Sister of Charity, who had for
the time discarded the spotless linen
insignia of her calling and was dressed
in simple black. She talked on various
subjects, but if l answered at all I did
so mechanically her voice bearing no
to my ears. At last she rose,
and I understood that she wished me
to follow her. Grant wrung my hand
as passed him.
With a beating heart l followed his
sister up the wide stairs, followed her
until she paused before a door and
placed her hand on the handle. Then,
turning to me, she whispered:
"Mr. Lorraine. 1 know all the sad
story of the last two years. I know
what this poor child has suffered.
There are some griefs which are too
acute to bear even the mention of.
Take her to your arms as if you had
parted with her but an hour ago, and
until she speaks of it let no word OF
the last two years pass between you"
She made the sign Of the cross,
opened the door and left me free to
enter.
What did l see? Viola, even as she
left that morning so soon after our
Viola in the very dress she
wore that day. How well I remem-
bered it-remembered its hue, its very
Long afterward she told me
that during those months of separa-
ton she had treasured up and kept al
ways near her everything that remind
ed her of the few happy days she had
spent with me, before the fatal mis-
take crushed her to the earth. Yes.
I saw Viola as of old-even down to
The sparkling ring which I had, it al
most seemed to me, that morning,
given her. Viola, my love, my wife!
The door closed softly behind me.
The Sisters care must have done this.
[ opened my arms. With cry of rap
turous delight Viola ran toward me,
and in a moment was sobbing and
laughing on my breast.
Dearest" she whispered, when at
last We found speech for more than
calculations and broken words Of love,
dearest, it has been dream-a black,
cruel dreamw
She shuddered as she spoke. Once
more pressed my lips to hers.
Let us forget it," said.
Then, hand in hand, out of that long
night of dark dreams we passed into |
he full daylight of the JOY which life
can only know when frightened by
such love as ours!
(The End)