Middletown transcript., 1897-09-18
with groan he threw himself into a
chair and buried his face in his hands.
He must think.


reached this point when servant an.
nounced Mr.. Preston. Myra greeted
him with extra cordiality, and as ht
looked up into her face the impulse
grew strong upon him to put his fate
to the test. For months he had used
all his powers, all his art, to break
down her reserve; of late he had be-
gun TO think he had. succeeded.
Now
"You look tired-worried." l."
He glanced at the door. The SER
want had left the room.
Myra answered only Win sigh.
"Tell me your trouble % His tone
was authoritative.
81 cannot"
He took her hand. "Let ne share
1t with you, Mrs. Fane-Myra."
She trembled. Already his arm. was
stealing about her waist, his hot breath
tanning her cheek.
| But You must, Myra."
tNo, no, no. You must not"
"Myra, must tell you. l love you.
l have always loved you."
81 must not listen. 1t is not right.o
She tiled to draw herself away.
"But you shall listen. 1 cannot see
you suffering, dearest
She shuddered, and he continued -
"Your manner tells me that you love
me. Is it not true ?"
She made no answer. 1t was Ronald
who had brought her to this.
"You make no answer, Myra. Come
with me. / will devote my whole life
to making you happy every thought
of mine shall be to keep the shadow of
care from your brow. l am rich now,
Myra. If l had only known before
that wealth was SO near, he should
never have won you."
Myra made no reply. She was think
ing. She was almost won.
.'If you remain it will be for life of
poverty, with all your comforts gone,
with no leisure for any of your pur-
suils, without companionship. I have
heard to day that your husband is
ruined man."
Philip Preston lad over-reached
himself.
"a ruined maDl'' she repeated.
"Yes, I know it is a fact" He went
on to give details, but Myra scarcely
heard him. Her mind was recalling
the recent conversation with her hus-
band. Here was an explanation of
Ronald's conduct which had never oc-
Cured to her, and she had taunted him,
saying she had married him for money,
had told him she would leave him. An
overwhelming revulsion of feeling
overcame her. Philip Preston became
hideous. What was his selfish love
when compared to Ronald's whole
souled deyotlonP She forgot even Pres
toms presence in her anxiety to fly to
Ronald's side and ask his forgiveness.
She acted on the impulse.
Ronald Fame was still thinking, but |
he could find no CLEAN of hope in his
shattered fortunes.
Suddenly he heard voice calling
softly, Ronald, Ronaldp'
Was itp
He looked up.
"Myraw
"Forgive me, Ronald, / didn't know.
thought it was something else-that
you were Tired of me, that you wanted
to get rid of me. 1 didn't think that
you were in trouble. Forgive me,
Ronald, won't youP"
He stifed further speech with his
kisses, but she broke away,
Il have something to tell you first"
1t was hard, but Myra felt that she
had duty to perform. She told her
husband all that Preston had said to
her, sparipg herself no whit. /
And you still love me9n she asked,
when she had finished.
''My dear, dear love-" was his reply,
Is he caught her again in his arms.
They sought Preston later, together,
but he had departed, leaving only a
tote for Myra:: II will call tomorrow
or my answer"
Ronald gave it him on the doorstep !
he next day. He was just leaving the
louse as Preston rang, and he turned {
o the servant with the order; 'sThis is
he man in respect of whom Mrs. Fame q
las given orders she will never be at 8
lome.n n