Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-11-19

gry-and l couldn't blame you-Dut 1
want you to wait till-till I've nm
ished."
Are We quite sure ye'd better begin.
or hadn't ye better let it go till to-
morrow
"Now she said quickly. i've wanted
to speak--to speak so many times, ana
haven't dared to. I'll feel thousand
times happier when I've told you, no
matter what happens. Let me go on
now"
MAYBE I know what" he began.
but checked himself suddenly. M
ils,enn'," he added.
She hesitated as If to gain strength.
and he marked how the slender figure
quivered with the effort of her hur-
ried breathing.
Il had promised to marry Willis be-
fore knew you.' she said unsteadily.
I'VE Quarreled about some little thing
and each was too proud TO speak first
Finally. he went away without seeing
me. You know how we heard that he
died in Africa. l believed tive AL
did-and l cried myself to sleep night
after night. because l hadn't acted diff
ferently AS time went on l began to
| forget little by little, and after While
| it all seemed like a sort of dream; then
you came into my life, and taught me
| to trust you and turn to you for help
| in everything. And, in truth. l loved
| you more than you could ever under
stand" Her voice trembled pitifully.
you believe me. John!' she asked.
"Say that you do believe me-"
Ordway drew his hands across his
eyes with an involuntary movement.
Il amt never doubted it," he answer
ed softly.
She gave quick sigh Of relief, and
let her head sink again upon her breast
as she spoke again.
Il was happy and contented for two
long years. 1t was like heaven; and
| you were happy. too. john
Happy" he said. "Ah. yes; nobody II
ever know how much.'
"And then little Dora was born" she
| went on, land somehow all our trouble
though her baby hands took hold of our
hearts and pushed them apart, II little
at first. and then more and more. ac-
tually thought that you didn't care
about her--l know 1t was wrong, but
thought it--and l got to feeling
against yon as would against some
one that was watching for a chance to
hurt my little one. Well, things got
| worse and worse. and when she died
almost believed you were to blame in
some way-I didn't know how. Oh! it,
awful to think about. but l couldn't
help feeling that way. Will you ever
forgive me for it?"
| Il never laid it up against ye," he
answered. II reckOned it was natural,
and knew We wasn't well; so l tried
to forget all about that part Of my life.
and done it-almost."
She looked up at him gratefully.
you are trying to help me-" she said.
mot many men would do that. The
rest Of my story is harder to tell, and
harder to listen to. You remember
that Willis came back and hunted US
up. He came at the worst time for all
of us. l was set against you, and half
wild about babys death. and reckless
to everything. He found that out, and
kept pleading with me and urging me
to 20 away with him. Day after day,
when you were at work. he used to
come to the house and talk to meal
| tn tln S<p
have sent him away; butt didn't. His
sympathy was so ready that didn't
see the purpose nor the falseness of
1t. 1t was as though some evil spirit
put the word into his mouth, and l
listened: God help me. listened"
She started to her feet and stood fac
Ing her husband. her arms raised to
her head in a wild gesture.
1T was no fault Of mine that did
not sin against you in deed as did In
thought" she cried. IF it had not been
for some accident-I don't even know
what 1t was-I should not have been
here now. l went to meet him one
night. We were to drive to Oakley and
take the train for some place. l wait.
ell. don't know how many hours, but
he didn't come; Mt last l crept home
and found you asleep. All night l sat
by the fire waiting for some word from
him. for l was ready to go-yes, even
then l was ready to go. In the morn
ing when you were away letter came,
saying that an unforeseen accident had
happened and he would let me know
about 1t soon. never heard from him
again."
| She paused and looked at him fear.
fully. as though expecting a violent
outburst Of anger: but he said nothing
and at last she spoke again, unable ia
bear the silence.
Wont you speak to me?' she cried
TREMENDOUSLY. Haven't you been listen.
Ing? Have done wrong to tell YOU?
Speak to me, for Gods sake; l can't
bear It,"
The words were lost in a storm OF
sobbing. and she threw herself down
on her knees beside him. hiding her
face with her hands on the arm NJ tho