The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-06-01

beauty which ever since has haunted
me. You are the one woman in all the
world No. do not start and draw
away you hands. l have not forgot
ten either my honor or my plighted
vows! Miss Lorrimer has never be-
lieved herself mistres Of my heart, nev.
err coveted that position!" he added,
with q little harsh, bitter laugh. "She
will be mistress Of my house. my home.
my wealth. She will be non the rich
er, none the poorer for this brief cpl
sode Of my life, which has SO changed
all It's colorng; but I shall be the rich
er, even in my added loneliness. In the
new emptiness which existence must
henceforth know for me, robbed Of
your presepce-richer for having
smelled the fragranceof loves bios
som-richer for having tasted the in
effable sweetness Of the draughts
whose dregs are bitterer than death
richer for having seen the picture whose
coloring a never fade, and which
alone is framed within my soul! Be-
atrice, 1t is neither your fault nor mine
plea to ask but one boon at your hands
w UC - oSItlSS " yoOs " AS0
fuse it now?"
"Colors seer by candlelight do not
seem the same by day. interrupted a
hooking voice both knew full well.
do allow Miss Markham to sleep up
on you interesting proposal, Allen.
An interview in the morning, though
less romantic. might possess greater
propriety! All, here is h book OF
which I came in search. Unexpected.
ly. I opened on the pages of another
more interesting romance. Singular
that we should all appear restless to-
night! Hereafter I promise to take my
stray volume with me on my first re-
firing. 1t is embarrassing to play wit
ness or e~avesdropper. Goodnight"
stop! One moment, Edith" ex-
claimed Layton. "our words hold an
implication which, in justice to Miss
Markham. cannot pass. You speak as
though this interview had been plan
ned. 1t was as wholly unexpected as
is ours now but since you have heard
all that I have said, I must leave my
fate in your hands, Edith"
With a low inclination Of the head,
Beatrice slowly walked past them. ana
assembled the stairs leading to her
room.
Miss Lorrimer watched her with
curling lip and flashing eye, until a
bend in the staircase hid her from
view.
"You mean your freedom is mine to
return to you, Allen Layton?" h said.
slowly. "You mean that. having over
heard all that you told this nameless
heroine, my dignity will not permit me
to hold you to your vows? You mean
that knowing the casket you offer me 10
wholly empty, I should return 1t to
you? Why? Tell me why! Accord
ing to your own words. this knowledge
is not new to me. According to your
own conviction, I wish no place or
part in your heart. According to your
belief, love has never entered into the
terms Of our contract. Then, I hold
you to it. Ay, as relentlessly as ever
Shylock did. If it is your name, your
wealth, your house I covet, give them
to me. Our engagement remains UNI
broken, Mr.. Layton, unless you cancel
the bonds between us. Goodnight"
She fitted noiselessly from the room;
but once within the four walls of her
apartment, she let the mask of calm
ness fall. .'l"
Up and down the 1oo she paced, like
a fierce lioness pent within its cage.
ST might have won himI might
have won him, but for her!" she muir
INJURED. "why did I come here? What
madness brought me? o, God. it is I
who will go mad! His home, his
wealth, his name I covet? This he be-
lieves: and I would give all-all' for
one little word Of love, n glance. n
kiss to tell me passion had awakened
his soul. she-she can win it all! To
me he throws the dry crust, and be
lieves it satisfies my hunger. His wife!
Vain title, empty name! I would rath-
er be his slave, his servant, and know
myself necessary to one hour Of his ex,
istence. one minute Of his happiness,
than live a lifetime by his side with
starvation slowly consuming my soul.
Allen, are you blind? Can you not
see? Oh, God, show me some way In
which, through which she, not he nor
I, may be the victim Of my own love.
passion and hate!"