The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-12
Her OuaIInS Of Conscience.

AAOA YuaAlAAO VI VVaASOAOAAOVs
soon as the decree nisi was made abso-
lutte ! lett by uhe lIse steamer. isa4a-i-
ed at Plymouth yesterday, and here !
ami"
There was an appreciable pause; then
she said softly:
"Ah-hl have been here all the
time"
What do you say to a sea voyage?
Wouldn't it bring back your roses in
double quick timer"
"A sea voyage?'' she echoed vaguely
Il don't think I quite''-
Look herei" he said awkwardly, but
persuasively. i've settled it all, sub
ject to your approval. When were
married-eh? Now 7 want YOU to tell
men when we can start"
When we can
start. You understand? How soon
viii you join me in town and-and go
to church with me2"
They halted ia their walk. and he
took possession ~ her hands.
Come" he said There's no posi-
bic reason for delay. We have waited
long. Let US lose no more time
She released her hands gently but
determinedly.
My dear she said. Il have some
thing to tell YOU
'Wel?" he questioned. with a dis
tinct suggestion of Impotence.
All this time, and indeed it has
seemed very, very long, have had
nothing to do but think The first thing
1 realized was that I was free-free to
love you as much as could. Perhaps
a man cannot quite understand what
that means for a woman l tried not
to think of my past life7Iny life with
him. You know the blot, the sin upon
it. I fell short in my duty and my
faith, and despise myself So must
you
She spoke deliberately. as was her
habit, and very low, with her hands
tightly clasped.
Dearest" he assured her, you are
like all women''-
''Oh. mol Some Of them are good. I
have been weak and wicked. Perhaps
I was tried too far. used to say so
in the days when made excuses for
myself"
IT'S over and done with" said the
man doggedly. Why rake it up
YES. / felt the uaelessness Of doing
SO. and I turned my thoughts to the fu-
ture-''
"Oh, sweethearti'
There I saw my salvation
''Ot course"
But not in the way you mean"
In what Way2"
Il should not have allowed you to
come abck," she said wistfHlly. viii
you forgive me?"
You speak in riddles"
Il must send you away she said,
meeting his gaze for the first time and
without finching.
He burst into a laugh of genuine
amusement.
Don't make 1t harder for me than
it is already" she said. her lip culver
ing irrepressibly. Il am in earnest in
deed. For how can I allow myself to
marry you'll. a creature of no account
now. whose name has been banded
about a common thing, and deserv-
edly? Oh, one can't pretend to the con-
trary.''
mouth twisted in to the sem blance of a
smile under his short, dark mustache.
You must admit that all L say is
true. am not ut woman to become
You mean" he said. that you don't
care for me any longer"
In the night which had at last fallen,
the outline Of his face looked sickly;
his voice shook.
oh She said, you know that isn't
sol But / feel can't, / mustn't mar
ry you 7 have fallen low enough. Still.
I have only injured myself for he is
well rid Of me- needn't injure any
one else"
Il would very much like to know"
he said grimly. IF you ever cared for
me2"
TT was my excuse, wasn't it2'
And you wish me TO leave?"
She put up her hands to her face.
Have you thought it carefully
over2" he went on in a steady, matter
of fact voice. You staked and lost
everything for my sake, you said, and
it has cost me something, too. Not
that I reproach you, for, by heaven, !
do love your
you win soon get over that, almost
as soon as if I married you. and then
you viii see that I was right and per-
haps be grateful to me.'s
rs that all2"
Yes"
sYou are quite decided2''
quite"
Il had better say gOodby at once"
I'VE are not likely to meet again in a
hurry, are we p
No admitted the woman.
She held out her hands If by i'm
pulse and he Immediately took posses
Your cheeks are wet he said
Poor. pale. little face! Poor. lonely lit
tie WOmeni Here he produced a volum-
inous silk bandanna, with which he wiped
away her tears There
He drew her head down upon his shout
der and clasped her to him gently as
if she had been a child
What sort Of a blackguard did you
fancy T WASP Do you think / will ever let
OH she breathed just before her lips
met his. Just for one moment I feared
ANARCHISTS DENOUNCED.
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