Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-03-04

but there are no degrees in love
We either love or we do not"
Tnere was tone of finality in Kate
G0rdOn's voice-a depth of conviction
that arrested her friends attention.
You speak as il you and love were
Old zcquaintances, Kate. If l didn't
know how you keep all your admirers
at arms length, would think you had
at Last surrendered that proud citadel,
year heart"
Twilight had fallen: the room was
fun Of shadows, and the crimson wave
wick oVerspread Hates face, painting
azez ears and neck and brow a vivid
csruline, was lost upon her companion
Sire did net reply for a moment. When
she did, her tone was low and even as
SzssSaL
20 speak lightly. Il wish you would
leave of weaving romances about your
Er5eods. Believe me. real living Char
zet~s are not nearly so satisfactory as
The accommodating puppets of the nov
.eIsst's brain. The heroine in a novel
always does the proper thing at the
proper time. and in the end either mar
wieG the prince of her dreams, and lives
happily ever afterward. or nobly and
'aAselfshly gives him up to She other
gfTI." aud is sweetly resigned all the
res: OF her days. Which would you do If
S-s1 were in the heroines placer
Why. I'd marry the prince, of course!
a,ofs Il
-smS. promptly and decidedly.
Rat If the other girl loved him very
much. and her life was cramped and
cI2-rOw and if you had everything else
IN she world to make you happy? Don't
y<oc asai&l it would be your duty to re-
szgIl him TO her when she had only that
ons thing-and you had SO much?'
s1er hands were clasped tightly in her
1-sp, and her voice had grown earnest
intense
II he loved me, I'd marry him.
ssiEe2ld not think the other girl would
MART him Il he loved me, And, besides,
u wouldn't be fair to him. His happi-
mess Onght TO be considered, too"
-Bnt if he were brave and noble and
srrong2 To such nature would not
Eke knowledge of having fulfilled a
ssutY-at whatever cost of pain to him
sselg-hring happiness?'
Vow are getting beyond my Depth"
said Amy, shaking her head.
'.Af be had known her first, and had
foeen content and happy until he met
yaag' Kate demanded with strange IN
s5sseDce. would it be right for ga to
take her all when you already have so
nsschg'
You are Illogical, Kate. You do not
s-onSi5er the happiness of the prince.
From my point of view, Il. would sim
PITY he sacrificing two lives instead of
,oEe 20 give him up
oh, no, no, no." Kate cried. striking
Tasr hands together with sudden yehem
>enfc-
why, Kate one would Pink the
sfogy real. and you its heroineg ex-
claimed Amy, laughing. You have
missed your vocation. What pity that
yaz are the wealthy Miss Gordon-ex-
elusive. fastidiouS-else you might
make a sensation on the stager'
The maid turned on the light as Amy
rose 20 go. and in the sudden glare of
electric light she was startled by the
look of suffering on Rates face.
kate, you are III. Aud | have tired
YOU out with my long visit" she cried
with compuuction.
s-No. My head aches and the weather
s somewhat depressing" She pushed
she hair back from her temples with a
peculiar nervous movement that told Of
suppressed feeling of some Kind. Il
suppose l shall see you at the Grant
geys' to-night!" she said. accompany
.sn~ her friend to the door.
Is they stepped into the hall they met
a man who had evidently Just come in
FROM the street. 1t was raining. and
ehere was a suggestion of dampness
aacut his clothing
~ssocd-afternoon. Miss Gordon" he
said in a quick. eager tone, his dark
Eass lighting and SofteniAg uncon-
.sc50usly.
There was no light in the hall. and
MS eyes went no farther than Hates
Tace. lie was obliyiouS of Amy'S pres.
-szce.
lis your father in? I must see him
at once. l have discovered a flaw
which am afraid will neceSSitate a
xreat delay in the work. Pert OF i,
va have to be constructed on new
plah-"
You viii find papa in the library. Mr..
Austen" The color bad come back into
Rates cheeks. and her eyes were
.aright. The drafts ami plans seemed
perfect. one httle flaw may not sig
z1ffy so much"
There must be no weak spots. A sin
<le law in the contraction condemns
ne whole structure"
lie spoke in rapid. repTeSsed tone.
That is a cruel view, Why should a
vvshole beautiful edifiee be condemned
@sscause Of one small weakness -
Eztes eyes flashed. aud She held her.
SELF proudly erect.
we judge a bridge by its weakest
wont. Its abutmeats may he solid and
-zzSsive, but a flaw in the construction
rer5ers il unsafe-and it stands con-
skemned"
He was very pale. and there was a
peculiar light in his eyes His words
zesd a subtle meaning. which seemed 10
anger Kate.
You are hard and unjust" she said.
and there was a sound Of tears in her
xosce which she was too proud TO allow
20 she surface.
HarshneSS is not always cruelty.
SOSne things require it, he said in the
San rapid. repressed tone. trd turning
-zz ais heel walked quickly 10 the lower
ed OF the hall, where he disappeared
Sn the library.