Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-08-04


eyes, trying to concentrate upon him
all the magnetism Of my love and de-
votion; Paul, darling, do reassure me,
/ beg of you am so fearful"
Fearful Of what, pray, Cecllew he
said.
THAT may lose you, dear" added.
"Now do not take your hand away. Do
not shrug your shoulders. You are too
just not to understand that my posi-
ton Is a horrible one. So many times
l have been compelled to believe, as
now, that was betrayed. Alas! l
have always kept silent. But this
time, Paul; this time!
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. Il
feel, l know, that an even graver sor-
row menaces me. have 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 1t is different.
Oh, Paul, Paul! YOu intend to leave
me-to leave me all alone forever"
He abruptly disengaged 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. be-
lieve now that he was then afraid of
relenting, and, taking me into his
arms, hearu him murmur: "What an
absurd idea! Who has put such no.
lions in your head? Most likely Del
butt! He had best cease his visits
herew
mo, Paul" l said. 1T is not Jean
Debut, or, rather, 1t is not he alone
Society is discussing our relations ad
libitum. assure you they are talk
ing of our divorce as 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 no
reply.
Paul" repeated In broken voice,
''do tell me, dearest, that you do not
desire such a contingency! But speak.
speak! Please answer"
ut is not question of divorce"
Paul replied, again at his ease. "To
be sure, II my life here is made I'M
bearable-you understand; If we must
constantly have such scenes. 1t would
be better to separated But what is the
matter, Ceclle? Cecile! Cecile! What
is 1t. 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 short time
revived and opened my eyes to find my
husband bending over me with look
of tender sOlicitude depicted upon his
countenance.
"You were foolish, very foolish! he
murmured, greatly troubled himself,
however. How could you have such
ideas? Come; come. now! You see |
am here close to you, and love your!
my dear, dear Paul" l said. do
repeat those words"
II love you," he said.
"You are indeed mine" then asked.
II am indeed yours" he repeated.
"You will never leave mew | then
questioned.
"Never!' he assured me.
AS he pronounced that last word 1t
was with an effort that he met my
glance, and l understood that Paul
was not sure of himself
Then spoke softly, tenderly to him:
'If you ever leave me. Paul, my life
will be ended. You will mortnlly
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
plant The only condition ask is to
be near you. And you will not be hap
DIV, 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-"
"Cecilew Paul said in low tone.
He softly pressed his lips to my hair,
and 1t seemed to me that had to some
extent won him back again.
"Will you do me favor that will
make me very happy" then asked Of
him.
Indeed will" Paul replied.
And so | murmured: Give me to-
morrow evening; give it to Cecile and
Gcnevieve. am sure that you have
not forgotten the date-the 18th of
April? 1t Is Gcnevieve's birthday, you
know. Tomorrow she will be II years
old"
81 PROMISE" Paul said, rising. II
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
ised anything to be assured of my ST.
lence on this subject.
"As you have asserted that | have
deceived myself, dearest" then said,
81 ask nothing better than to believe
you"