El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-09-29


my dear, but 1 felt that you did not like
my fiance. Ellington Lewis"
Judith Her guest turned from the
mirror. She was brushing the pretty ten
drills of her soft hair that curled so will
fully about her brow. IF anything went
wrong tonight, it was my fault. 1 am
tired. Tomorrow / shall do my best to
redeem it"
But Judith was not content. She ques-
toned Ellington n few days later.
"You do not like my friend" she said
sorrowfully. 'How can you be indiffer-
ent to her charm, Lewis!'
81 am not" calamity. Miss Morrison
has trick of lifting her brows as you
do, and the voices are not unlike How
did ncvc- hear of herT'
'.Tlat is easily explained. She has
been abroad since we graduated. You
and / have not discussed old school
mates.' She smiled charmingly. But
you have not told why you dislike
her.
II have given you no reason to think
So
"But you do not" she persisted.
mo, Judith, 1 do not like Miss Morri-
SON. She had not before detected the
WEAKNESS in his voice.
perplexed young hostess presided
over affairs the next few days Lillian
Morrison herself came to the rescue and
proposed n house party, and after that
there were picnics, drives and boating
parties in gay succession.
The first night of September found the
gayety Mt its height. A masquerade
dance was in progress. 1t was the night
preceding the departure of Judith's
guests. Even Lillian was to go.
Not far from midnight Ellington moved
restlessly through the winding walks. He
held n mask in his hand, for the night
was hot. The denseness of the shadows.
the luminousness of the stars, the cool
ness after the heated atmosphere of the
ballroom. were grateful to him.
Strange how that snatch of verse throb-
bed and surged through his brain: "For
me who can never be thine" How the
words repeated themselves! Twas the
night, the sound of the dancers feet, the
clash of music.
As he paused under a small balcony n
fan, n dainty thing, brushed his face and
fell at his feet. A woman leaned over
the balcony. He could see the CLEAN of
her white throat and naked arms
"Are you, too. weary of the dancer he
asked as he returned the fan.
She made SOME light reply
miss Morrisoni'-she noticed the quick
change in his voice. You leave us to-
morrow May not bid you goodby?"
"Are you, then, so anxious to see me
go?" Did he imagine it or was there n
reproach in her voice? He drew nearer.
THE dancers, the garden, the music as
il comes to us here, of what does it make
you think? You will not tell me? Then,
whether you like it or not. / will make it
clear between us. Fate has brought us
to this balcony.
Have you forgotten the old garden
there beyond the sea''-he caught her
hands-"and that last night when L told
you of my love? You sent me from you
coldly, but knew you cared"
Have you forgotten JUDITH" The
sweet voice sounded harsh. She drew her
hands from him and stood erect.
You know | have been true to her."
passionately. Il will never speak like
this again Judith has told me the story
"a simple one. quiet sea, a sudden
squat. an overturned boat; but it left
you free. Free. while [ wandered over
the earth trying tn forget and forever
haunted 10y the wrath Of girl with sun
ny hair and wisiful blue gray eyes. Why
did l not know? 1t was not doubt: you
could not doubt me. Answer, Lillian"
She leaned against the railing. She did
not speak.
There could he many excuses" bitter
ly. 81 was in Egypt. but letters would
have reached me- Twas then reserve.
You could not. l laughed when Judith
told me your lovers death had spoiled
your life"
Still the girl uttered no word. He lean
ed upon the railing Il am going now"
His voice had grown tender. 81 would
do nothing that would bring regret to
you or her. i may not touch you. but 1
love you! I love, you'll 1 love you'll Co
ing. and you stand there as if you were
turned to stone, You will not say the
words for which my heart has hunger
ed? But once, dear"
l..
she .gasped, ''Then I love you,'
He laughed in low content. Good
by" he said, although he did not move.
"Goodby." He turned togo.
Lewis" her voice was almost whis-
per, TASK her to release you. Tell her
tenderly. Perhaps it will not hurt much.
II it fails. touch her pride"
He looked at her incredulously. 81
cannot
"Then yon do not love-
81 will not pain her so. We are Injured
to pain"
He looked out over the garden. I'm
he crushed in his grasp a rose
that grew on the balcony.
How the struggle swayed in the soul |
of the woman who stood so near him. |
How the inner voice wrangled with her! |
"Rcnouncc him, Renounce him, He is |
hers, He is mine, He loves her, Let
him go! | will not, The mistake is his! |
Itenouncc-quick-be it is too lateI'
He leaned toward her. Forgive me.
my sweet. and-goodby. 1t is goodby |
this time
For answer she leaned and touched his |
brow with her lips. at is out of your |
hands," she said softly. Go to her"
She slipped the mask from her face.
Judith hoarscly. How could YOU /
The voice.
You deceived Yourself" she said gen
tly. "And the awakening is better now. /