Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-05-12

~ uor arms &C ~ nI0 n0ek o0Q
bbbsd, and he held her close. N IVES
My tns . little time. Then she drew
msy and her arms fell al her sidea.
II can not be helped" she said; and
be turned and went away.
There was no change in Raymond,
ither then or o. the years went on.
BE was a good officer and q good
nan, and unembittered. But Gcely
alsnville changed. The world loves
aothing better than to find an e.
,lanation for what has mystifed it.
4 does not trouble to verify its belief.
1t is plain" II said now, why Cicely
Marlitt married Granville. Raymond
vas not the man TO have allowed her
70 indulge her propensities."
The propensities were toward fir
;atons that scandalized that conser-
'ative and respectable institution,
he army. Even the men Of the regi-
nent resented that it should be given
lsme through Mrs. Glanville. And
he women feared and hated her; but
they also admired. Popular super
'tition to the contrary notwithstand-
ny, most women see the charms Of .
rival. Envy Is as keen-sighted -
ove is blind. And the clever ones i'd
nit them.
Being isolated from the small cir
lie Of feminine wit, Mrs. Granville
added to her attractions much mas
ruline clear-sightedness and wide
range Of interests. She was as good
10 talk to as to look upon. She spoke
with the tongue Of wisdom that was
more-not less-than womanly, and
she sang with the voice of a siren,
and men fell down before her, and
worshiped her, and, throwing the
cloak Of their infatuation over the
ebay feet Of their idol, came finally to
forget them and believe 1t all spot
less alabaster. They held her up to
wives, and daughters, and sisters
whom they would have disowned for
following in her path. And they
ruined the peace Of their lives and Of
their homes for her-all, to, without
the hope of even q capricious fancy
for reward. She brought them low
and laughed at them, but they still
had faith, as had her husband, though
the heavens should fall. She was
known to the borders Of the service,
and beyond, as a creature Of no heart
who had caused disaster and even
death, and had shown neither re-
morse nor pity.
Yet when she was free once more,
aymond went to her. His old faith
was unmoved. It was a better sort Of
faith than any other she had inspired.
Years had gone since she had seen
him. She sat once again before the
fire-this time in her fathers home.
And Raymond stood looking down at
her. The face, above the black dress
of her mourning, was as saint-like as
of old, and seemed as young and un-
Scared. The long, gray eyes were as
nlacid, but more deep. He did not
risk now why she had done these
things. Perhaps he knew. But he
said to her, as though the time be-
tween had never been:
Wicely, do you love me still?"
And the sweet lips parted to say
the words that they had never framed
save for him: IT love you still"
He reached out his hand and took
hers. She tried to draw 1t away.
But you do not want me-now?"
she said.
He held her fast and answered. ~
want you now" There was no doubt
in his firm voice.
"You do not know" she tried to tell
him.
Eyes, I know" he said; land yet
and yet ! want the Cicely who was
my honest little playmate years ago;
who was my trusted love in the past;
who will be my faithful wife in the
time to come. For old sakes sake, I
want her. dear"
She laid her tired head upon his
shoulder and closed her tear-flled
eyes. "And for old sake's sake" she
said, you shall have her. THE Ar.
gonaut.