The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-10-22

significance of her wordsi
II am glad to bear you say that.
was afraid that you had become 30 nc
customed to the old name that you
would find 1t hard to drop it."
She was thoughtful for a moment.
II remember now that you always
signed your letters with your initials
only, and have never known you to
use your first name."
ut may have been fad Of mine, but
others do the same, and, I added, urged
OH by q yearning I could not resist,
you have not noticed anything differ
snt in me9 I mean since before you
went abroad and after you returned
home 80 unexpectedly"
"You know there was slight change
caused by your hurt. But that il all
gone" she replied. with winsome ten
dcrness.
"And none since them"
"Yes. l have noted a ohange-a
marked one too"
,'"You have? Tell me what it u.s." I
insisted, with tremor of dread.
II thought when Oh the ocean that no
one could be kinder, more affectionate,
more chivalrous than my own Harmon
(she did not slip at the name), but after
you came to me, when you had fully re-
covered from your hurt. I saw my mis-
take"
II am not quite sure I understand
you"
"Why, You were kinder, more affec-
tionate and more chivalrous than you
had been before. Do you understand
that, Mr.. Westcott?''
Was ever tribute more gracefully
made? The only reply could offer to
the thrilling words was to draw her
again to me and kiss her.
During these delightful weeks and
months of my wooing one question was
ever present with me-should I insist
upon telling the truth to my betrothed?
1t has ever been a cherished principle
of mine that perfect union makes it
impossible for either the husband or
wife to have secret from the other.
Could l go through life without letting
her know the strange mystery in which
I had become involved without any
fault Of my own?
I trust that have told the reader
enough to convince him that am an
honorable man, who would not be de-
TERED from duty by any selfish thought
Of the consequences. 1t was not that
which held my lips mute-that is, SO far
as such consequences could affect me. It
was my love for Jeanette
Suppose I should succeed in convinc.
ing her of the truth-and surely it was
In my power to do so-how would it af-
feet her?
She had been wooed and won by one
man, while second stepped into his
shoes without any suspicion on her part.
What though the first had proved him
self an unconscionable scoundrel? Would
not her affections wander back to him?
Could she transfer her love to me when
'he learned my true personality?
Had Harold Westcott remained alive
here would have been no hesitation as
20 my course I would have written her
! letter explaining everything and in
closing his brazen avowal as proof upon
'roof. She then could have doubted no
onger.
would not be the coward to intrude
lpon her in her strange grief. Perhaps
he time would come when the way was |
,pened for me. But why dwell upon |
hat which never could be-?
But Harold Westcott no more walked
he earth. He could not return to plague
hose who were SO much more worthy
han he. What good, therefore, could DO
accomplished by breaking in upon jean
ties infinite confidence by revela-
ion that would stir her nature to its
rofoundest depths?
This may have been cowardly reason
ng, but it was the best I could do.
Possibly would have reached differ
mt conclusion had there been some older
ead with whom to take counsel, but
here was none. I had cut myself off
rom all the associates Of boyhood and
Dung manhood and was beginning to
rop those whose occasional company
7as due to the mistake as to my person.
lily. Among them all there was not
ne to whom I could apply for counsel
u my strange dilemma.
One awful dread caused me to SILVER
nd catch my breath. It might be that
eanette would recoil from me. If she
id, would almost envy the fate Of the
eal Harold Westcott who blew out his
rains at Monte Carlo.
And yet, remembering my avowal,
hich she refused to receive, and the
lany pledges that had passed between
) since then, she could not.
So it was I decided to postpone the
after until after our marriage, a
hen that happy event took place
'nviction was stronger than over that
was worse than useless to tell the
ory.
And SO my wife knoweth not the truth
this day.