Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1900-05-25
A Dangerous Game.

ARL, don't believe you truly
~ love me.
" Mildred Reynolds looked at her
over half-archly. as II she dehed him
% say he did not love her, half plead
ngly. as II she longed for him to con-
iradict her warmly.
Carl l.nngleis rcddened under her
gaze. What nonsense, Mildred, Of
course love you. Why else would
come hundred miles to spend an even.
ing with your he replied u trIhs im-
patiently.
"fhen, why"-Mildred began brave
~, but she In turn co!orcd and looked
embarrassed. Surely Carl knew that
she longed to ask him why he had
twice postponed their marriage, and
on this Visit. when she had expected
him to ask her to set the day for the
ceremony. he had not done 30. True,
he had brought her a beautiful brace
let and had seemed affectionate and
loving; yet somehow Mildred felt that
caresses. and the fact that he did not
breach the subject which she had hoped
no would settle on his visit vaguely
alarmed her. For she loved Carl deep
ly and was unhappy In the home OF a
relative upon whom she was partly de-
pendent and longed to hayera home OF
her own.
Carl had said. the last time he had
visited her, that they would arrange
their plans for the future when he next
came, but when Mildred had made the
remark that she did not believe he
really loved her he was ON the verge of
departure aud still had not asked her
to name the day which would make
them husband and wife He must have
known what the question was she
wished to ask, yet he did not help her
out. and so the question died, unasked.
upon her lips. Instead. he turned sud
denly to the clock. "lll have Just
time to make my train." he said. hur-
riedly. 80 good-by. my sweetheart.
Give me kiss and take good care OF
yourself. for my sake" 80 tenderly that
Tor u time nil doubts as to his fidelity
were dismissed from Mildrcd's heart.
farewell kiss was still warm on her
lips the question returned to her mind:
Why does not Carl II he really loves
me and wants me To be his wife, claim
mo for his ownl Perhaps he Is growing
to love some one else. believe 1 am
strong enough to bear II II IL Is true
better to know now than when II Is too
N Ia nj nt,,tr l. hu
] must dnd out. and II 1t Is true that he
no longer loves me IA he did | will re-
lease him. Hut II have wrongcd him
by my doubts. | will atone by giving
him added love and affection"
Carts mother had often sent her kind
messages, aud had also sent by Carl
some very beautiful table linen for Mil
drcd to embroider for use after mar
riage. She knew that Mrs. Ianglois
Was her friend. although they had
never met, aud determined to go tn 500
her aud discover whether Carl hal
eondded In her any change In his de-
sire to marry Mildred She shrank
from the trial, yet felt Il must be made
Tor the sake OF her future happiness.
Accordingly. few days after Carts
visit she took trip to his home. ar.
irving there. as she had planned. when
Carl was abseu, at his business. When
she Introduced herself to Mrs. Lang.
ots she was warmly greeted. but when
che told the object OF her visit her host
was Nisihiy surprised aud Disconnected
My dear child. She exclaimed
"therc must be a mistake som,w herr.
Cart assured me only yesterday that
you Kept putting him OF Whenever he
mentioned your marriage. 1 can.
hot understand IT,"
Il can. Mrs, Langlois." said Nl,drcs
proudly. Your son has grown tired OF
me and Is seeking In some way To free
himself, Hut. thank heaven. his r,tters
srr not yet rivete,i. aud are eastt,
broken viii release him from an en-.
eagement which Is no longer a pleasure
To him."
My dear Mildred" begged his moth.
or. do not speak 50 bitterly. lam SUR
there 10 some misunderstanding.
Mildred had turned very pale. aud an
overwhelming conviction that Carl ,
was false TO her came upon her with
crushing force. but she summoned up
courage To face the truth.
We must hnd out" shs said very