Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-11-07
IL LoveWereA All
By ANNA CoSULICH.

. y slowly into the fire where the two
red Goals were being driven apart by
the hungry yellow flame. The slave of
Ambition-tO waver when she called.
: Perhaps they had been right to call
him that, until the woman came. But
now! Lydia had passed far across his
hearts threshold, and it was for him
to decide whether Lydia or Ambition
} had entered farther.
Last year, it should have come last
year, he impatiently reflected. Then
he would have been ready to go, and
glad. He would have gone with Drahl
gen, aye, with the evil one himself,
almost, that he might see and learn
the things which nature has to teach
tothe men who dare.
This offer to be one of an Antarctic
exploration party was munificent
apart from it's scientific advantages.
Must he deliberately refuse it, remain
ing in the narrow precincts of the I'M
versity out of choice-his own choice?
) He laughed derisively at the bold yell
low flame, resting his distracted head
I'm his hands. The lovely face of Lydia
Cameron, artist and woman, seemed to
rise of the blaze.
you or Ambition, Lydia?" he NUT
tered. ambition is cruel, stern and
cold. You-how warm and sweet your
womanliness, how dear the witchery of
your eyes and lips, how comforting the
sympathy of your low voice! Love is
. better than Ambition. 1t is-it is"
He repeated the sentence as if not
quite sure of its fnaity. However, it
proved to be his decision in the end.
The,next day, hasent a note of regret
to Drahlgen. A few hours later, he
sought Lydia's house, feeling strangely
happy.
The lights had just been turned on.
The maid was giving the last touches,to
Lydia's tea table and Lydia sat by,
smiling her approval. She heard
bounding step outside, hasty ring,
then hurried entrance. She glanced
at the clock. 1t was too early for West.
Vet West it must be, for no one she
knew entered her house with such
zest.
Yes, it was he. She smiled in greet
ing. giving him the tips of her little,
warm fingers.
This is so NICE" she said. 81 was
rather lonely at my solitaire tea party.
Uncle Nat is out, and even the maid
looked sorry for me. But, now that
you have saved the situation, please
tell me what it is that makes you look
so joyful this EVENING""
No, he would not tell her yet. He
smiled and said something foolish as
he took the proffered cup. While he
slipped it, he looked at her in a strange,
new way. She had different meaning
to him since yesterdays dearer, full
er meaning than before. For had he
not given up fame and wealth for her,
for the soul behind those deep. gray
eyes, for the beauty of that pale, sweet
face framed by the dark hair? What
mattered it that she did not know yet ?
She would know soon, soon.
With difficulty he restrained hinselt
until the maid removed the cups and
softly closed the door. And then he
told his story, rushingly, like the leap
of torrent down the mountain side
Lydia's eyes softened, widened, as she
stood there listening breathless. Sud
denly he stopped the torrent of words
what is your answer" he eagerly
whispered, ready to clasp her in his
arms at the slightest token of response
from her.
Instead, she covered her eyes with he
long, artist fingers. With difficulty
she. controlled that ominous swaying
of her slender body. It was as though
a precipice were at her feet
This silence, Lydia, what is it?" h,
asked, apprehensively.
She gasped, then settled her face il
wan smile.
..If love were all" she began, bu
her voice failed her. He seizeu he
wrist almost roughly.
ssLove is ALI" he exclaimed fiercely
sDo you think that fame and ambition
are to be compared to love? FOL
would throw me over for your work