The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-08

slgnally to make you happy. You told
me that | had spoilt your life, broken
yonr heart; that, when you had q wish,
1t was only a wish to die"
IL didn't wish to make your life n
bondage, John"
Johns eyes twinkled Tor a moment,
and then were grave again.
do you mean to tell me, Kitty" ne
asked incredulously. that you doubted
that I loved your"
do you mean that you could ros-
sibly doubt. John. that I loved your
I retorted In the same tone OF incre-
dulity.
at was natural enough for me to
doubt" said John humbly.
Much more natural for me-" I re-
turned, looking up at him with spark
ling eyes.
l had clasped my hands upon his
shoulder; l put down my cheek against
them.
81 thought" confessed, that you
had married mo for kindness sake
toto provide for me, John. Every
n thought so. Meg and Dora and
Aunt Jane and even your sister. You
yourself said that you thought OF mar
rying me before you thought OF loving
me-"
YES" admitted John; years ago, I
had some vague hope that you would
give ME the right one day to take care
of you, to make life smoother for you.
I suppose I didn't love you al long ago
as that had only a very tender feel
ing for you Love, when 1t came. was
real enough In spite OF that early
thought. Don't scorn my love. Kitty,
because / met II with welcome instead
Of rebuff"
There was not much corn in my
eyes as | raised my head and looked
softly. smilingly into the gray eyes
looking down at me. He kissed me;
and for a minute we stood In silence.
Kitty" he said at length, there is
something that | want to tell you. l
ought to have told you long ago. 1t
was a painful story, and I did not tell
1t. Come and sit down, and l will tell
II now"
He drew me to the little sofa be-
side the fire; and there he told me the
story Of his first love. the story that In
part | knew already.
she gave you up because you were
poor?" l asked Indignantly.
Don't blame her. Kitty! She gave
me up for her brothers sake. 1t Is
more than ten years ago now that her
brother forged that check of which
told you-that first check. There
seemed to be nothing but utter ruin
before him. Arnaud, the man that
Lucia married. had money and infu'
ence. He used both on the tacit under
standing that she should marry him.
Her brother was saved for the time
WAS 1t the only way?" / questioned,
II think ONE other way might have
been found. But she could not be calm
and weigh chances. She was devoted
to this brolner. For ten long years. as
she said the other night In the park,
she has hoped against hope for his
reformation; has tried to be brave.
has tried to hc.e for the best. And
now, at the end Of the ten years, things
are just where they were before.
think they are worse this time, for this
time he is less repentant. She is sacri-
icing her whole life to him; but she
does 1t almost without hope. She Is
going away with him-to South Amer
lea, to Punishment"
l was quiet for a moment.
John, | have been so unjust to her.
I confessed in a low tone-"so unjust
to her always In my thoughts"
"She Is n Of the noblest women
that | know!" said John.
Again we sat silent for a minute,
My heart was beating fast; l l6uged
to ask a question which l dared not
ask.
John, I won't be silly, I won't be
jealous-tell me-" / pleaded. IF you
didn't try to love me, would you love
her still-love her best, l mean?"
John answered gravely, with an all
as earnest as mine.
81 respect her." he said; Il shall
respect her always. l do more thar
respect--I admire her. But that is all!
The old love was dead, Kitty, years be-
fore the new love was born!"
was contented.-The End.