Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-08-19
w HOLE n uMprR, 1852.

Ntlitll, dul, 'l'll llllS, Np IN'iSSNIt lllt,
l beg of you! l am SO fearful"
"Fcarful of what, | pray, Cccilc?" he
said
'That | may lose you, dear" added.
"Now do not take your hand away. DO
not shru% your shoulders You are too
just not to understand that my posi-
ton 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 time"
The hand still wished to escape from
my grasp, but l held it firmly. and his
eyes would not meet mine
This time, Paul" | then said. Il
feel, | know, that an even graVrr sOr-
row mcnaccS me. have Il 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 Il
time, like those other periods when
you always grew weary and nc%lcctful
of them. But this time ii is different.
oh, Paul. Paul. You intend To leave
mc-to leave me all alone forever"
He abruptly diSCngagrd himself,
moved away, putting the table be-
tween us, and began to walk up and
down. lie was greatly moved ana
wished to avoid my glanccs. | be
liCVC now that he was then afraid Of
rclcntng, and, taking me into his
arms. hcaru him murmur: "What an
absurd idea. Who has put such no.
tlons in your head? Most likely Del
=. -;..;,,
here
"No, Paul" | said. ut is not Jean
Dclbuit or rather, it Is not he alone
Society Is discussing our relations al
libitum. | assure you they are talk
ing of our divorce rs Il settled thing,
and that is an appalling thought to
me. Pray acknowledge, dear, that you
agree with me"
As soon as | had pronounced these
words my heart grew SO cold and
seemed to cease beating. for Paul stop
ped walking, bit his lips and made no
reply.
Paul" | repeated in Il broken voice,
edo tell me, dearest, that you do not
desire such II contingency. But speak,
speak! Please anSwcr.'
'It is not Il question of divorce"
Paul replied, again ut his ease. "To
be sure, If my life here is made un-
bcarahlc- you understand; if we must
constantly have such scenes, it would
be better to separate, But what is the
matter. Cccilc? Cccilc. Cccilc. What
Is it. dcar?'
had risen. But suddenly my
strength failed me. and Paul, seeing
me tottcr, rushed toward me. lie lift
ed me in his arms and carried me into
the adjoining room. In Il short time |
revived and opened my eyes to find my
husband bending over me with look
Of tender solicitudc depicted upon his
cOuntcnancc.
You were foolish, very fOoliSh"' he
murmurcd, greatly troubled himself,
however "IIow could you have such
ideas? Come; come, now! You see |
nm here close to YOU, and love YOU"
"My dear, dear Paul.' | said. "Do
| repeat those words"
81 love YOU" he said.
"lou are indeed mnc?" | then asked
al am indeed yours" he repeated.
"You will never leave me-" | then
questioned.
"NeVcr" he assured me.
As he pronounced that last word it
was with an effort that he met my
glance, and | understood that Paul
was not sure of himself.
Then | spoke softly, tcndcrly to him:
"lf you ever leave me- Paul, my life
will be ended. You will mortally
wound a being who lives but for you
one who has never done you any
wrong, who will suffer for you with
out recrimination, without any com
plaint. The only condition | ask is to
be near you. And you will not be hap
py, Paul. | feel SO confident of that
The coming years will seem long to
you, far from me. Take care, my dear
one; do not let any one steal you from
me-"
"Cecilcw Paul said in a low tone
He softly pressed his lips to my hair
and it seemed to me that had to some
extent won him back again.
''Will you do me Il favor that will
make me very happyY | then asked of
him.
"Indccd | Will" Paul replied.
And so | murmurcd: Give me to-
morrow evening; give it to Ccciic and
Gcncvicvc. | am sure that yOu have
not forgotten the datc-thc 2Sth Of
April? 1t is GcneviCvc'S birthday, you
know. Tomorrow she will be il years
old"
81 promise" Paul said, rising. Il
will dine with you both here tomorrow
evening. But you must not be blue"
he added. You must not refer again
to this nonsense"
At that moment he would have prom
iscd anything to be assured of my 81
lencc ON this subject.
"As you have asserted that | have
deceived myself, dearest" | then said,
81 ask nothing better than to believe
you"
All, if | could only persuade him to
remain oftencr mt home with me |
would be more confident now of final
ly rcgalning all his affection! But he
will be with us tomorrow evening
with his wife and daughter. lie will
not 90 out after dinner, and | do be-
licvc | will thwart that other woman
who wants to take him from mc.-EN-
change.
NeRrninG For the UnRttuinnbIc.
'The bowling of dog is n sure sign
Of disaster"