Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-06-10
III.

tied that they were 10 he married IN
n,,ite q short time-ip about six weeks.
Frank had been helped by some OF his
old friends to obtain an appointment
rs engineer in q great Glasgow firm;
Eva was to have her mothers fortune;
there were no difficulties in the way.
Frank now always spent n whole
sunday at Sir Archibald's house. He
came to lunch, sitting rs silent as eV-
or. and after lunch they were usually
left to themselves. At first IA hours
flew by, sped by Eya's day-drealns,
though she was still, and In spite OF
herself. somewhat nervous; they wouid
discuss various matters, end even READ
together. But then for some time,
minute would link itself to minute,
while they did nothing but sit side by
side on a deep sofa, holding each 9TH
er's hands and gazing into vacancy.
And a moment came when they could
no longer endure that grasp-nO longer
dared. The image of BERTHE, with his
purple. blood-stained face, would rise
up between them; their hands parted
they were both thinking of the dead.
AS it grew darker, intolerable misery
would so oveTpower her that 1t seemed
rs THOUGHT Slt IIuSt t1NAa
they would throw the windows open
and stand for a long, long time to re-
fresh themselves in the cool air, look
ing out over the Park in the gathering
gloom. She listened in dread TO
Franks breath rs il came and went.
Ay, and she was afraid of him, III
spite of her love. After all, he had
committed murder; he could do such
things in his rage! Obi If. in a fit or
passion, she, too. But she would de
fend herself; with the strength OF de
spair she would cling to life. Had Il
not herself felt strong enough TO Kill!
No, no.. Not she, surely. She was too
timid. And, besides, she loved him SO
dearly; she adored him, and o she
would soon be his wife! Still h
was afraid.
The Sundays were no longer days SO
sweet as To leave a treasure of MEM
DRY In which she could live through
the week. On the contrary, Eva now
dreaded Sunday; she awaited 1t with
terror. /. Friday-Saturday.
Here it was again! There was Frank;
she heard his step. And still she vas
afraid, and still she loved him.
They were sitting thus one ven
ing. had in hand. and silent. 1t was
still early in the afternoon. but a
storm threatened, and the gray gloom
peercd in through the thick lace III
tains. Eva, depressed by the heavy
weather, thirsting for some comfort,
suddenly, in spite OF her fears, threw
herself on Franks breast.
Il can no longer endure this wealth
err she walled, almost meaning.
This dark, cloudy weather always OPP
presses me of late. / want To go TO
Italy, Frank; to the sun, the sum-
He pressed her to him. but did not
speak. She began TO weep softly.
Say something, Frank she sobbed.
Yes; | do not like this heavy sky"
he said, duly.
Again there was silence; she tried to
control herself, clinging closely to him.
Then she went on:
II cannot bear up against Il; I be-
lieye since that rainy day which v
took us In Molde, so long ago now
five years and more-you remember
when We had met three or four times,
n few days before at D~ronthjem?" She
smiled and kissed his hand, remem
bering her youth; she was old now.
You reeollect we got to the hotel
drenehed. l believe | have been in
ever since that day; that L toOk n bad
cold, which settled in me. though at
first | did not feel it and said nothing
about it, but which has been under
mining me ever since, all this long
time"
he made no reply: he. TOO, had a
vague recollection of something trag-
ically painful at Mode; but he could
no longer remember what. But she
suddenly burst into a violent fit of
weeping.
oh! Frank, speak. Say something"
n besought him. in despair at his
silence, feeling her terror grow greater
IN the stiffness, and her heart throb-
bihg wildly in spite of herself.
lie passed his hand over his fore.
mead trying to collect his thoughts
Then he slowly replied:
les, Eya-for l have something TO
say to you. Just this very day"
what Is that She asked. looking
up through her tears, in surprise nj
his strange tone.
l want TO speak TO you very serious
~. Eva. Will you ilsten?'
Yes
Il want to ask you somethinp-to
ask II you would not rather be FREQ
10 ask III You would not be glad thar I
should release you:''
She liz not Immediately understand
mouthed. ~ oi"n-
"WhyT' she said. at length, shudder-
ing, terrified lest lie should undar.
stand something of what was tortur.
ing her soul. W
"becarse it would be so much bet,o,.
Tor you, my child he said. gently ar
nave no right to fetter ycslr life RI
mine. l am w~recked-an old man
II you are young"
nne CHUNG to him closely.
NO, am old, too.' said She. with a
smile, "and I will not have n r will
DE true to you. / will always comfort
YOU when you are out OF heart And
80, together, we will both grow yonnc
again, n both be happy"
lou are a dear. good girl. hc
whispered. In a husky, TREMBLING
volce. I do not deserve that von
SHOULD be 50 good to me. Bnf. sari.
ousiy' Eva, think it over once more