The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1902-04-26

0ACW OuCk from MN.
NO! MOL" she said. Even II you
loved me ever so much, would not
marry you. 1t would be terrible-ter.
ribic to think that you would grow
gradually Indifferent to me, and to
know that having taken the step there
was no drawing back; and yet" she
paused painfully" / am miserable. l
love you so. / want you near me al.
ways-I want You always"
She broke down with something like
. sob and buried her face in her hands
The man looked at her helplessly for
moment. and then, knecling at her
side. drew her hands gently down.
JOAN" he said, you dear, romantic
little soul, look at me-"
Joan obeyed with swimming eyes.
Now put these sentimental IDEAS on
one side. You and I, Joan, are going to
De q practical couple. We are not go
ing to expect such great deal Of the
other side of the river you spoke of.
and then we shall not be disappointed.
Joan, you must marry me-"
The girl drew herself away from his
arms and shook her head vehemeutly.
Don't ask me. pray-pray don't ask
mel! she cried. you don't love me.
You know you don't; and even If you
cared for me as earnestly as care for
you, it would only be worse still. l
should only have the more to lose.
NO" she turned and faced him eager
~, You must cure me-disillusion me.
Let me see that it is only an infatua.
tion-that you are only an ordinary
man, after ALL"
Il could easily DO that" said the
young man, soberly; sbut doubt
whether You would listen. Love, little
girl. always idealizes. You look at me
through rosy-colored spectacles and
magnify my virtues and overlook INV
faults Whatever do now, and what
ever have done in the past, would |
be excused in your eyes,"
No! mol" said the girl. sIndeed. /
viii listen. Dear Hugh. want to be
But the young man only shook his
head.
Even II you listened you would not
he said, gently. ''Now, listen,
Joan. l am going to suggest a rem
,dy, seldom-failing remedy, and that
time. / am going away from You for
TX months. At the end of that time.
lear, you will laugh at yourself. at
our folly, or my name is not Hugh
'ornay, Shall we do as / say?"
For six long months!" echoed the
'iri, with paling face. ats . terrible
cmedy; but, yes. will try it."
"Joan!"
"Hughi~
They had met again. not in her little
as before, but in the
Duntry lanes, where the light sum-
Ter breeze frolicked with the hay and
arried It away, mingling it with the
cent OF the honeysuckle. The six
lonths had barely gone, and there
icy were again, face to face.
The girl hung her head, and the color
lshed into her face as the young man
'rang forward and caught her hand
his with every expression of de-
yht.
well, Joan, he said, in voice which
embed with strange emotion, "and
e you disillusioned?"
He waited anxiously for the reply
hich never came, and, bending down.
ad the answer in her eyes. +
NO, dear Joan? Well, 1 am glad.
have just thought of another
medy which we must try together.
an, have caught your complaint
want to be disillusioned, too"
The girl looked up with the pent-up
e OF six months in her eyes.
How" she whispered, softly.
i thought we would cross that
dge Of illusion together, hand in
nd" he said. Whatever disappoint-
'nts there may be in store for us we
Il share. Joan, my dear little Joan.
owe you. Will you? 1t Is the only
"" ,
The girl raised her face trustfullv.
= little wistfully, to his.
Yes" she echoed. quickly; ut il the
" way."-N. Y. Weekly.
l