Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1901-06-29

up your last penny to satisfy my
whim; not let me show you the
beauties of the world-let US enjoy
them together. 1t is not good to see
you here with all your ambition kill
ed!"
So she talked, and he listened with
the blood throbbing through his
veins. Presently she had to go and
he accompanied her to the station.
Then, when the train had finally
vanished from sight, he turned and
walked down to the seashore. If he
consented, he was to go to London
tomorrow, they were to be married
and Immediately to start for long
tour through Italy.
He strode up and down the lonely
sands, fighting the thing out. 1t was
all so serious, so ounutterably strange.
He knew that the love he had once
felt for her was dead, stamped out
the marriage with Vansittart had
done that. He might like her, he
could never love her again. But she
did not ask that-she was prepared
to be satisfied with an "artistic"
comradeship-she had said 50 herself.
He made up his mind with a jerk,
and walked swiftly back to the little
house. He found Joan alone, and a
sudden hesitation seemed to creep
over him.
JOAN he said, awkwardly, 81 am
going to London to-morrow-must
leave you'll"
| She bent over her book.
FOR good" she said in quiet tone.
He gave little nervous laugh.
Eyes, for good, I'm afraid"
The girl rose from her seat and
moved to the door. She knew what
had happened-guessed instinctively
who the woman at the hotel was.
"You will like to go into the big
world again." she said, with a brave
smile. II must tell aunt"
The next morning he took his de-
parture. Joan had somehow mis-
taken the time, and was nowhere to
be found when he left the house.
With curious feeling of depression
ne made his way to the station and
took his seat in an empty third-class
compartment. Almost as the train
was on the point of starting he saw
a slight figure appear on the plat
form. 1t was Joan, and she came
breathlessly up to the carriage.
"Good-by," she faltered, holding
out her hand to him.
He reached out, and, grasping it,
looked down on the upturned face.
The whistle sounded, and she with
drew her hand gently.
~ hope you will be happy!" she
breathed tremulously. He saw the
gray eyes fill with tears, and, sud
denly, as if a curtain had been swept
away from his brain, he knew.
The train moved slowly from the
platform and he stood at the window,
gazing mutely at her. AS the station
finally vanished from sight, he sank
down on the seat, dazed with his dis
covery.
1t was near the same evening,
and in the sitting-room of the little
house Joan was sitting alone, very
white, very miserable. Presently
the clock struck the hour, and as the
last chime died away the door opened
and man entered the room quietly.
He looked tired and pale, but quick
! light came into his eyes as he saw
the girl. He came straight to her.
There was no Joan in the big
world!' he said, simply. 81 only real
ized it this morning!"
She looked at him startled, then as
their eyes met in swift understand
ing, swift JOY ran through her.
"Your dreams?' she whispered
"For the moment ! was mad
enough to think l could realize them
I at the expense of my selt-respect!"
he cried, bitterly "Thank God, l
awoke in time"
"But the wonderful life you have
always longed forY" she murmured.
"An empty shell, without the one
wonderful thing! Don't send me
away, Joan" he Whispered pleading
ly. Let me succeed for just once"
She smiled back at him through
her mist of tears. The man had not
come back in vain.