The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-29

eyes, and he gave a slight start. Ut
tcring a soft exclamation, she rose
from her seat and stood by his side.
"Yes, in those old days, Austin, you
loved mel" she cried quickly. You
thought me heartless, but that wasn't
quite the right word. I loved you, but
I knew my temperament l wasn't
| born 20 be the wife of a struggling
man, poverty would have made me
miserable, we should both have been
extremely unhappy. I did what you
| know-married a rich man. Now I am
| free, l come to you again; 1t isn't too
| late, Austin; we are almost young
| still"
He passed a hand over his fore
| head.
"You would be willing to marry me
have me live on your money!
| She laid a hand gently on his shoul-
| der.
Money is absolutely of no conse-
| puence to me: that part of the ar
| ranSemcnt would never cross my mind.
| We may not love as we did. yet think
| what it would mean, Austin! I should
| have the husband I would have chosen
| --ycu-some of your dreams realized.
| Everything that lies at a rich mans
| hands will be yours-you can leave this
narrow life for ever!"
| He did not speak. The suddenness
| of the thing had set his brain in a
whirl
"If not for love. an artistic comrade-
ship" she said softly.
"In the days when we We're together
you gave mp your last penny to satisfy
my whims; row lot 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
killed."
So she talked, and he listened with
tho blood throbbing through his veins.
Presently she had to go, and he ac-
companied her to the station. Then.
when the train had finally vanished
from sight, he turned and walked
down to the seashore. II hc consent
ed he was to go up to London to-
morrow, they were to be married and
Immediately to start for a long tour
through Italy.
He Strode up and down the lonely
sands, fighting the thing out. 1t was
all so curious. so unuttorably strange.
He knew that the love that he had
once for her was dead, stamped out
the marriage with Nansttart had
done that. He might like her, but he
could never love her again. But she
did not asl; that-she was prepared to
be satisfied with an "artistic COM
radeship".-she had said so herself,
lie made up his mind with a jerk,
and walked swiftly back to the little
house. He found joan alone, and
sudden hesitation seemed to creep
over him.
Joan" he said awkwardly, Il am
going to London tomorrow-musa
leave YOU"
She bent over her book,
For good?" she said in II quiet tone.
He gave a little nervous laugh.
ayes, 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 get into the big
world again" she said with brave
smile. II must tell aunt
The next morning he took his de-
parturc. Joan had somehow mistaken
The time. and was nowhere to he found
when he left the house. With n curl
Gus feelins ot depression he made his
way to the station and took his scat
in an cmpty third-Class compartment.
Almost as the train was on the point
of starting he saw n siGht figure APP
pear on the platform, II was Joan,
and sho came byeathIessly up TO the
carriage,
"Good-bye," she faltered, holding
out her hand to him.
He reached out. and G"asping II,
looked down on the rpturned face.
Thc whistle sounded, and she with
Grcw her hand gently
II hope you viii be happy" sha
hlc&thcd tremulously lie saw the
grey eyS iii with tears and suddenly
rs if a curtain had boon swept away
Cro-n liy hair, +" knew.
IT, train moved lowly from The
platform, md h stonI ~ the window.
sazing mutely al her. As the station