Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-07-24

% MENSVVV Spect 10 NlOla, ii
wv unworthil y con =
ceived, at least free
from evil. This
thought strengthened me, and I was
able to face my interrogator. But, all
the same, it was a great modification
to feel that in order to explain matters
to this man must, as it were, lay bare
my most sensitive feelings.
"You know my true name?" asked.
mo. But l have seen you some
where-Vienna, Paris-I forget where.
Then you were not called Vane."
my name is Julian Lorraine"
Julian Lorraine" he repeated, mus
ingly. 81 have heard that name In the
world, and with little good attached to
it. But it could not have referred to
yourself. You are too young. But your
reason for deception? Speak" he
said, fiercely.
IGurbed my rising anger, and, as
as we'll as could, told him why I had
wooed Viola under a false name.
think he believed me, but saw scorn
on his face as he listened.
"The act of a fool" he said. "Mr.
Lorraine, such romantic affairs should
be left to poets and novelists. Viola
Keith would need no riches nor poverty
with the man she loved. / tell you, II
I were to go tomorrow and make
known to her your doubt of her single
heartedness, l could SKATER the whole
fabric of your happiness. Why should
! not do so?"
ut would be the act Of fiend," I
said.
He laughed, not pleasantly. Eyes,
it would. l will not do it. l will even
keep your secret, and let you carry out
your ridiculous plan. But l will also
do this: will follow you on your we'd
ding morning, and see with my owr
eyes that you have married Miss Keith
in your right name. MOI" he said,
seeing was ready to spring from my
seat in indignation. mo! l will have
no protest. You have brought this up
on yourself. You have given me the
right to mistrust YOU"
"Will you be good enough to show me
the right by which you interfere at
all?" l said.
Until her twenty-f1rst birthday I
IN Miss Keith's guardian"
"a very young one," I sneered.
Eyes; but older than you think. Her
mother died six years ago. 1 was then
thirty; she thought me old enough to
,e her child's guardian, and 1 will see
the trust to the end"
The meaning thrown into the last
sentence did not escape me. 1t i'm
piled that he still viewed me with dis
trust My anger was thoroughly
aroused.
"Perhaps, Mr.. Grant" said, there is
. nearer and dearer right you wish to
exercise over your ward-one which she
herself alone can bestow."
He drew himself up to his full height.
"That, sir" he said, calmly, sis ungen-
erous. I had hoped that my love for
Miss Keith was matter unknown to
all save myself. love her as it may be
beyond your power to love woman.
would lay down my life for her far
more easily than to-day lay down my
love. Yet l do this, and to you, my
rival, can say, Take her, and make
her happy-make her happy.
The repetition of the last three words
was not a wish; it was command, a
threat.
Grant was still standing above me,
and as I looked at him saw that his
face was pale, and on his forehead
were drops Of moisture. His appear
ance almost startled me; but l said
nothing. rose, and wished him good
night. Somehow, in spite Of the dislike
with which the man had inspired me,
there was about him strength and
dignity which impressed me more than
cared to own. He accompanied me to
the door. When 1t closed / paused for
a moment to light one of my own cigars.
Then crossed the road. AS l did so
I glanced back. The gas was burning
in the room which had just left; the
blind was drawn up. saw Grant enter,
throw himself into the chair which l
had left vacant, stretch his arms out on
the table, and lay his head upon
them, like one in agonies of grief He
was bewailing the loss of the happiness
that had won.
l pitied him, but I hated him. 1t
seemed to me that II this man set his
heart upon woman's love, sooner or
later she must give it TO him. What
would it be If now he used all his power
tb rob me Of Viola? l knew that till