La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-03-12

And are you very unhappy with
me?" she asked gently.
What n strange question! Unhappy? ?
Well. no, cannot quite say that. am
as said before, grateful to you; and.
now that find you have been victim
lied. l am sorry for you."
do not be shocked IL ask you an
other question:" she said. with down
dropped eyes and flushed cheeks: Nov
that our marriage Is an accomplished
fact. do you think that we might make
the best OF it-might try to forget this
wretched beginning? Could you never
care even ever so little for me?"
He looked at her thoughtfully.
Il might deceive you'll might say
Yes and play you false? but VIII
not. You are too good for that. NO,
not In the sense you mean--not to love
you as a man should love his wife
never. You must forgive me IL these
seem hard words-you have asked me
for them
1T Is better to speak frankly; then
We shall both know what we are DO
ing" She dropped the silvery veil that
shrouded her head and face. "Wil you
tell me-" she asked. meekly. ''Why you
cannot care for me? Am l not fair
enough to please you?"
..Yes. you are fair enough; but love
is not to be taught or bought-it comes
unperceived. cannot express myself
well on the subject. but 1t seems to me
absurd for q man to say to himself, ~
is my duty to fall in love with such anu
such woman, go l must do IT,
But II that women were his vile!
she suggested. gently.
mo man can love against his Will.
wife or no WIFE," was the hasty re-
ply.
Then. Lord Caraven, am / to live
in your house always as an unloved.
uncared for wIfe?" she asked.
THE fault is not mine." he replied.
Il believed that your father had ex-
planned to you that the whole affair
was-was distasteful to me. Believing
that, married you: now that l have
found out my mistake. I pity myself
and pity you. Larry Caraven. l de-
spIse myself now for what I have done.
II / had to choose again l shouid
choose disgrace or death"
II am grateful to you," he continued.
II will do all can to show my graft
tude; you are and shall be mistress OF
the whole place. 1t is yours In SO far
as your money has saved 1t; you shall
have every desire OF your heart, every
wish gratified. Your position is one
OF the highest in tho land; you shall
have everything to grace 1t. You shall
have entire liberty; you shall invite
whom you like: visit whom you like;
you shall go abroad when you will and
remain at home when you will. You
shall be your own mistress In every
respect. will always see that every
honor is paid you"
I'm short" she said. you will give
me everything but love-"
well, II you choose to put 1t In that
light, yes"
Il accept the terms." she said gently.
..There are many women who have to
md the happiness of their lives In the
fulfillment of duty; l must do the
same"
You are a very sensible GIRL" COM
mented Lord Carayen: ''and begin 10
think 1t is all for the best that we have
had this conversation"
II am sure of 1t; it will prevent my
idealizing you in any kind Of way. and
l shall know better how to understand
matters" She raised her head with
wondrous grace. 1T would be very
strange" she added, ~ you fell in
love with me after all. am cold; l
will say good evening. Pleasant retiec-
tions, my lord"
He saw the purple velvet and silvery
veil disappear amongst the trees.
ut is thousand pities that she is a
money-lender's daughter" he said.
land thousand pities that cannot
love her. She has plenty OF character,
and she is really handsome, although
she is not my style"
ITO be Continned.)