The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-01

you again; IT isn't too latt- AuStln--NVe
are almost young still
He passed a hand over his forehead
You would be willing TO marry me
have me i've ON your money!
She laid a hand gently on his should
er
Money IS absolutely of no consequence
to me; that part of the arrangement
would never cross my mind. We may
not love as we did, yet think what II
would mean, Austini should have the
husband I would have chosen-yol-
some of your dreams realized. Every
thing that lies at a rich mans hands
will be yours-you can leave this narrow
life forever
He did not speak. The suddenness Of
the thing had sent his brain in a whirl-
IF not love,an artistic comradeship.'
she said softly. In the days when we
were together you gave up your last
penny to satisfy my whin; now 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
killed!''
So she talked, and he listened with the
blood throbbing through his veins. Pres
emily she had to go, and he accompanied
her to the station. Then, when the train
turned and walked down to the sea-
shore. If he consented, he was to go
up to London tomorrow. they were to
be married and Immediately to start
He strobe up and down the lonely
sands, fighting the thing out It was. all
SO curious SO unutterably strange. He
knew that the love he had once felt for
her was dead. stamped out-the mar
rage 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' had said so
herself
He made up his mind with jerk, and
walked swiftly back to the little house
He found Joan alone, and a sudden hes
itation seemed to creep over him.
Joan" he said awkwardly, II am go
ing to London tomorroW-must leave
your
She bent over her book.
For good?'' she said, in quiet tone.
He gave q. little nervous laugh.
Yes, for good, I'm afraidr
The girl rose from her seat and moved
to the door. She knew what had hap
pened-guessed instinctively who the
woman at the hotel was.
You will like to get into the big
world again. she said, with a brave
smile. Il must tell aunt
The next morning he took his depar-
ture. Joan had somehow mistaken the
time, and was nowhere to be found
when he left hte house. With a curious
feeling of depression he 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
platform. 1t was Joan, and she came
breathlessly up to the carriage.
"Good-by," she faltered, holding out
hand to him.
He reached out, and. grasping it, look
ed down on the uDturned face. The
whistle sounded, and she withdrew her
hand gently.
Il hope you viii be happyr' she
breathed TREMENDOUSLY. He saw the gray
eyes fill with tears, and. suddenly, as ie
8 curtain had been swept away from his
brain, he knew.
The train moved slowly from the plat
form and he stood at the window, gaz-
ing mutely at her. AS the station finally
vanished from sight, he sank down OF
the seat. dazed with his discovery.
1t was near nine the same evening,
and in the sittingroom 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 a man enter
and pale, but a quick light came into
his eyes as he saw the girl. He came
straight to her.
There was no Joan in the big worldv'
he said, simply. Il only realized it this
morning.
SIie AoOheu aL nlilis Sbdfdeo, tHSbl dS
their eyes met in swift understanding
a swift joy ran through her.
your dreams?" she whispered.
''For the moment 1 was mad enough
to think could realize them at the eX-
pense of my self-respectY' he cried, Bit
terly. s'Thank God I a-woke in time"
But the wonderful life you have al
ways longed for2" she murmured.
AN empty shell, without the one won
derful thingI Don't send me away.
Joan,' he whispered, pleadingly. Let
me succeed for just oncer'
She smiled back at him through her
mist of tears. The man had not come
back in vain.
She-You must be careful and not sit
too near me. Mother has a way of COM
ing into the room unexpectedly.
He-That is mean of her.
She-Isn't it? Hardly a night goes by
that am not nearly mortified to death
Detroit Free Press