Smyrna times., 1899-10-25


Fearful of what, pray, Cecile?" he
said
THAT l may lose you, dear" added.
Nov do not take your hand away. Do
not shrug your shoulders. You are too |
Just not to understand that my posi- |
tiOn is horrible one. So many times |
l have been compelled to believe. as |
now, that was betrayed. Alas. |
have always kept silent. But this |
time, Paul; this timer
The hand still wished to escape from
my grasp, but held it firmly. and his
eyes would not meet mine.
This time, Paul" | then said. 81
feel, know, that an even graver sor-
row menaces me. | have a greater
fear. No, do not say that am in the
wrong to be so anxious! Some one
wants to take you from me. not for a
time, like those other periods when
you always grew weary and neglectful
of them. But this time it is different
oh, Paul, Paul! You intend to leave
me-to leave me all alone forever"
He abruptly discngaged himself.
moved away, putting the table be-
tween us, and began to walk up and
down. He was greatly moved and
wished to avoid my glances. l be-
lieve now that he was then afraid of
relenting, and, taking me into his
arms, hearu him murmur: what an
absurd ideal Who has put such no.
tiOns in your head? Most likely Del
butt! He had best cease his visits
here!'
mo, Paul." l said. 1T is not Jean
Debut, or, rather, it is not he alone
Society is discussing our relations ad
libitum. | assure you they are talk
ing of our divorce as a settled thing,
and that is an appalling thought to
me. Pray acknowledge, dear, that you
agree with me-"
AS soon as l had pronounced these
words my heart grew so cold and
seemed to cease beating, for Paul stop
ped walking, bit his lips and made nc
reply.
Paul" | repeated in a broken voice
do tell me, dearest, that you do not
desire such a contingency! But speak
speak! Please answer!'
ut is not a question of divorce,
Paul replied, again at his ease. "To
be sure, if my life here is made un-
bearable-you understands; if we must
constantly have such scenes, it would
| be better to separated But what is the
matter, Cecile? Cecile! Cecile! What
| is it, dear?'
l had risen. But suddenly my
strength failed me, and Paul, seeing
me tOtter, rushed toward me. He lift,
ed me in his arms and carried me into
the adjoining room. In a short time
revived and opened my eyes to find my
husband bending over me with a look
of tender solicitude depicted upon his
cOuntenance.
You were foolish, very fOOlishp' he
murmured. greatly troubled himself,
however. How could you have such
ideas? Come; come, now! You see
am here close to you, and love you"
"My dear, dear Paulw 1 said. "DO
repeat those wOrds!'
81 love you," he said.
"YOu are indeed mine?' | then asked
81 am indeed yours" he repeated.
"You will never leave me?' l ther
questioned
''Never!' he assured me.
AS he pronounced that last word il
was with an effort that he met my
glance, and l understood that Pau
was not sure of himself.
Then | spoke softly, tenderly to him
"If you ever leave me. Paul, my life
will be ended You will mortally
wound being who lives but for you
one who has never done you an!
wrong, who will suffer for you with
out recriminatiOn, without any com
plaint. The only condition l ask is t,
be near you. And you will not be hap
py, Paul | feel 50 confident of that
The coming years will seem long t
you, far from me. Take care, my dea
one; do not let any one steal you fron
me-"
"Ceciler Paul said in a low tone
He softly pressed his lips to my hail
and it seemed to me that had to som
extent won him back again.
"Will you do me a favor that Wi
make me very happyY then asked o
: him.
Indeed l will! Paul replied.
And so | murmured: "Glve me t.
morrow evening; give it to Cecile an
Genevieve. | am sure that you hav
not forgotten the date-the 2Sth c
: April? 1t is Genevieve's birthday, 70
know. Tomorrow she will be IL yeaI
old"
81 PROMISE" Paul said, rising.
will dine with you both here tOmOrro'
: evening. But you must not be blue,
he added. you must not refer agai
to this nonsense"
At that moment he would have prom
: Used anything to be assured of my S
lence on this subject.
"As you have asserted that l hay
deceived myself, dearest" l then SAT-
= 81 ask nothing better than to beliey
= you"
All. If l could only persuade him
remain oftener at home with me
+, would be more confident now of fina