Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-09
cot me.

aA3NHA = "
Well" she laughed. II really don't
know, only your manner is peculiar. why
not be frank with me-. Ralph dear, and tell
me what Il is that you don't iike7 Have I
offended your
mot ct all. darling" I FASTENED to assure
her. why. you're the best little woman
In the world. Offend me-how absurd"
Then who has offended your
/ hesitated. When a woman really loves,
a man can have but few secrets from her.
Ethelwynn always read me like an open
book.
I'm worried over a critical case" I
said, in an endeavor to evade her Ques-
ton.
But your patients don't annoy you,
surely" she exclaimed. There IL a dis
t~inction between annoyance and worry"
saw that she had detected my suspicion
and at once FASTENED to reassure her that
she had my entire confidence.
"If Mary finds her life a trihe dull with
her husband 1t is surely no reason why 1
should be blamed for It," she said. in a
tone Of mild complaint.
mo, you entirely misunderstood me-" l
said. mo blame whatever attaches TO
you. Your sisters actions are no affair Of
ours. 1t is merely a pity that she cannot
see her error. With her husband lying
Ill, she should at least remain at home"
"She declares that she has suffered
martyrdom for his sake long enough" my
we'll beloved said. Perhaps she is right,
for between ourselves, the old gentleman
is a terrible trial"
That is only to be expected from one
suffering from such a disease. Yet it can
serve no excuse for his wife aking up
with that gay set, the Penn-Pagets and the
Hennikers. l must say I'm very sur
prised."
"And so am 1, Ralph. But what can
l do? I'm utterly powerless. She is
mistress here and does exactly as she
likes. The old gentleman dotes on her
and allows her to have her own way in
everything. She has ever been willful,
even from a child"
She did not attempt to shield her sis
ter, and yet she uttered no condemnation
OF her conduct. l could not. even then,
understand the situation. To me one of
two things was apparent. Either she
feared to displease her sister, because Of
some power the latter held over her, or
this neglect of old Mr.. Courtenay was
pleasing to her.
Il wonder you don't give Mary a hint
that her conduct is being noticed and
remarked upon. OF course, don't say that
I've spoken of 1t. Merely put It to her
in the manner of a vague suggestion"
VERY well. II you wish it," she re-
sponded promptly, for she was ever ready
to execute my smallest desire.
And you love me quite as truly and as
we'll as you did a year ago?" I asked
eagerly, stroking the dark tendrils from
her white brow.
Love you?'' she echoed. Eyes, Ralph
ahn uyanN m INzIYNA- 49,. 80 -
with unwavering gaze. 81 may be distract
and preoccupied sometimes, but, never
tbeless, / swear to you. as 1 did on that
summers evening long ago, when we we're
boating together at Shepperton, that you
are the only man / have ever loved-or
shall ever love-"
1 returned her caress with a passion
that was heartfelt. 1 was devoted to her
and these tender words Of hers confirmed
my belief in her truth and purity.
Need l repeat what I have told you
so many times, dearest?", I asked In a
low voice, as her head rested upon my
shoulder and she stood in my embrace.
Need I tell you how fondly I love you
how that I am entirely yours? No. You
are mine, Ethelwynn-mine."
And you will never think i'll of me 90
she asked in a faltering tone. you will
never be suspicious of me, as you have
been tonight You cannot tell how all
this upsets me. Perfect love surely. de-
mands perfect confidence. And our love is
perfect-is 1t not?"
at is,' I cried. at is. Forgive me,
dearest. Forgive me for my churllsh con-
duct tonight. It is my fault-all my fault.
1 love you and have every confidence in
you"
g0.A III rza- 49,. g.aA 80 a.
asked, with Just a tinge Of doubt In her
voice.
Eyes, always" 1 declared.
mo matter what may happenT" she
asked.
mo matter what may happen"
kissed her fervently, with warm words
of passionate devotion upon my lips and
went forth into the rainy winters night
with my suspicious swept away and with
love renewed within me.
had been foolish in my suspicious and
apprehensions and hated myself for 1t.
Her sweet devotedness to me was sufficient
proof of her honesty. I was not wealthy
by any means and l knew that IL she
chose she could with her notable beauty
captivate a rich husband without much
difficulty. Husbands are only unattainable
by the blue stocking, the firt and the per-
sonally angular.
The rain pelted down in torrents as I
walked to Kew Gardens station, and, as 1t
generally happens to the unlucky doctor
that calls are made upon him In the most
inclement weather, I found, on returning
to Harley Place, that Lady Longley, in
Hill street, had sent a message asking me
to go around at once. l was therefore
compelled to pay the visit, for her lady
ship, q snappy old dowager, was a some
what e~xacting patient OF Sir Bernard's.
She was a fussy old person who believed
herself to be much worse than she really
was, and It was therefore not until past
1 o'clock that l smoked my hnal pipe,
drained my peg and retired to bed, full OF
recoliections OF my we'll beloved.
Just before turning in my man brought
me a telegram from Sir Bernard, dispatched
from Brighton. regarding a case to be seen
on the following day. He was very erratic
about kilograms and sent them to me at
all hours; therefore, It was no extraordl-
nary circumstance. He always preferred
telegraphing to writing letters. / read the
message, tossed II with its envelope upon
the Are and then retired with a fervent hope
that l should at least be allowed to have a
complete nights rest. Sir Bernafd's