The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-01
WINDOWS OF A SOUL.
BY ELLIOTT FLOWER,

bility by the reflection that she had no
sought it--indeed, had tried to avoid il
She would have preferred to let her brie
little note end everything, but he had per
sisted in demanding a personal explans
tion, and--well, if she had to give hin
pain, it was his own fault. At least sh'
would speak plainly. No other course wal
| possible.
| He, on the other hand, excused his per
sstency on the plea that an explanation
was due to him. She had acted in mos,
extraordinary manner, and it was his
right to know why and to know it from hel
own lips. If the interview proved distress.
Ing to both Of them, the fault lay with her.
The course she had pursued was the cause
OF the present unusual complications
"lsabelle!" he exclaimed when she en-.
tered the room.
"Mr. Willston-Edward," she returned
in kindly tone and yet with an air OF
dignity that checked him as he was ad.
vancing to her side, please do not make
this interview any harder than necessary"
"Harder!' he cried, impetuously. why
is it necessary at all! Why did you lead
me to believe that you loved me and then
suddenly request me to return your letters
and cease to call upon you? Have | done
anything to forfeit your love or your re-
spect? Tell me! HayeI?"
He was close to her now, and she drew
back little. Her eyes were averted, too,
he noticed. She did not look at him with
that frank, clear gaze to which he was
act ustomed.
81 am not girl who is capable Of great
love- she replied, quietly, "and there are
other considerations that enter into the
question Of marriage. did like you, and l
still ike you, but it is not love"
"You do not love me- he demanded.
NO"
''Look me in the face and tell me 50
and | will be content" he persisted.
II do not love you.' she answered, rather
family but she was looking at the figures
in the carpet,
"And you do love this Mr.. Park rkinson?'
She flashed up instantly.
"lou have no right to speak that way!'
she exclaimed 81 am to marry him; that
is sufficient. ! told you SO in my note
Besides, it is not altogether question Of
love"
Not question of love!" he repeated.
"No. | have already told you that mine
is not a nature capable of great love. Ia
not that confession enough? | am world
ly, if you will have it so. Mr.. Parkinson
is wealthy. That is not much in itself, but
it may mean much. He can give me social
petition. As his wife | will receive the
social attentions to which have been in a
measure accustomed and which mean so
much. much to g me- And1sand he is friend Of
"You malgn yourself" asserted Willis.
ton. bitterly.
"Sir!"
Il beg your pardon, Isabelle-Miss Nor
ris," he said, apologeicaily. Il did not
mean that. but this is so unlike you"
you compelled me to speak plainly" she
said, "and | have done SO. l am sorry if
suffer in your estimation as a result, but
am just beginning to know myself"
you are not, he asserted. doggedly.
"I shall leave the room, sir" she ex-
ella ,med, haughtily, turning to go.
"No. no; don't CO. he pleaded, almost
a. only want to under
stand but it is hard to think of you as SO
worldly. ! would rather think Of you as
forced into this marriage with a man Of |
nearly twice your years by your father
Papa does advise it," she answered, |
softly, "and so does mamma, but am act
ing for myself and on my own Judgment. |
thought it would be easier for you if you
ood." she went on, still more gently;
''if you realize how little you are losing.
I haven't the stability am too much OF |
make you good wife. am
satisfied that do not know, and never
shall know. what real is. 1t is not in
g.. - 4. Ia, 4
love- you know, but-but | can't. ] want
yayety and pleasure; ! want to be mistress
OF fine house and entertain; want the
ldmiration and attention that is possibly
only in such surroundings as Mr.. Parkin-
son can give me. Tits contemplate of
ne to feel SO, but do"
"Tf ] were rich would you marry me?"
Her eyes were fixed on a ring with which
She was toying.
Possibly might--yes, think would"
she said, family.
"And you are throwing me over because
am not wealthy" r
why are you SO brutal?" she asked
because ! want to know"
"WeN, then. yes, am" But It was evi.
lent that this was said with an effort.
He looked at her long and fxedly, but
he did not return his gaze. She was not
learly so strong and self.possessed as she
lad been at the beginning of the interview,
nd she knew it. Possibly he saw some.
hing of the weakness, too.
"Good-hy," he said at last and held out
us hand She saw the hand without see.
ne him, and quietly placed her own in it.
lie held it so long that she involuntarily
ooked up. and then for the first time their
yes met.
You are letting ne CO. he said, ''be.
ause no; look at me when you answer
BECAUSE You do not really love me-"
because | do not really love you," she
epeated.
"Recausc you are incapable Of deep and
sting lovethe love of the heart and
he soul
She fslterpd. lie was looking squarely
lto her eyes and she could not turn away,
ry as she might
Don't say it," he exclaimed, suddenly;
1t would not be true
An instant later he was holding weak
nd unrcsistirg CIR. in his arms and whis
erng in her ear, you are not the one who
) socially and financially ambitious; and
on love me know it. saw it through
he window, Of your SOUL II"
And ParFinson--well Parkinson is Just
8 good "catch" as before and there are
its Of girls who succeed in keeping the
windows" closed
Very Cordial.
The Guest-There is something very cor.
ial in your husband.
The llostess-Ies, several pousse cafes. I