Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-04-16
CHAPTER TX.


traying himself. never dishonoring that
true and steadfast friendship which had
been so sweet and sure q thing to her.
And now it was all over. The self
deception had been swept away in mo
ment Never would they stand again and
give to each other frank gaze. and the
firm handclasp. The whole pitifuI fabric
they had raised was shattered at their
feet. No wonder they could find no
words no wonder they dared not break
the silence that seemed to hold their
very lives in its brief, charmed pause, yet
with each ebbng moment bore slowly and
surely away the fraiI bark of vanishing
happiness, and the self-delusive sophs-
tries which had so long hidden the shoals
and rocks Of cruel fate.
Ivor Grant broke the silence at last,
bending down and touching with gentle
hands the white. clasped fingers through
which slow tears still found their way.
DO not cry any more" he said, gently.
you have she'd so many tears of late,
and it hurts me TO see yen"
She dashed them away then with reso-
Lutte effort.
Il am very foolish, she 5 ID. unstead-
lily. IL am so sorry ever came here.
II | had known"
1T would have made no difference"
he said, quietly Sooner or later 1
should have betrayed myself A man
cannot play at indifference always, when
his heart is aching with love"
rs it rights it fair to speak to me
thus2' she said. paling 10 the hne Of
the lilies by her side.
mo, il is not" he sa !. with quick con
triton. Il never meant to do it; but it
is so hard to keep words back | would
not insult you. pain you, for worlds" he
added. rapidly. Don't judge me hard
ly, and-and don't look at me ike that, -
as the beautiful eyes met his In their
sorrowful pain. You make me feel a
brute--a coward OF course | know you
can be nothing to me | have known it
always always. But that has not helped
me or cured me either, and now it has
grown too much for my strength. / can't
meet you, see you, be with you. day after
day like this. so l must--leaye you; there
IS nothing else TO be done
No" she echoed drearily; nothing
else"
Il should Ike &c ask you enc thing. :"
he said, grow Ing cry white. You won't
misjudge me. foe even friendship gives
me that rizht-the right to know il you
are happy"
Does it need asking:" said Beryl
eoldly DO happy women lead solitary
lives ike mineF"
Bat your husband he-he is good 10
you? Did You not love him when you
married.
oh, DO not ask" she cried. hot.
shamed flush creeping over cheek and
brow Il thought 50; thought my life
would be safe and peaceful looked no
deeper into my own heart, or his.
And nowY'
Now things speak for themselves fair-
Is we'll t.inS," she answered, bitterly;
not that l have any right to complain.
or YOU any right to question, / was hap
by enough till--tjt my children were tax
en from ne"
Il know" he said. hurrietlly. and
think Whist your sorrow was to me who
dared not offer consolation. Then
an this long, miserable lonely time has
followed. To think Of the miserable, ach-
ing. dreary hears have spent. No:
don, spcak-I don't reproach you. There
IS nothing for which you are TO blame
except for filling my life to its very brim
until all either women pale as shadows
before your memory IL YOU had been
happy beloved, ovingI would have
been content, | think. but | knew you
were none Of these. aud the knowledge
added and added to my love until the
secret passed. u. power of will to keep 1t
back. I know you are sorry he CON
tinued, as he saw the tremor OF the quiv-
crns lips, hut don't tell me 80; don
pity me Say | am a brute, covsrd, If
on will: your scorn is easier &c bear
than yonr compassion
She rose from her seat; her face looked
like marble. hes trembling hands went
out to him in one piteous appeal of a
woman's weakness 20 a mans
Don't say more. | can't be2r j.. 81
long You have been my friend the ten
derest trucst friend that ever womau
had. and now I must lose yNu rs
have lost everything else II does seem
a Httc-hard
Hcr grief unnamed h;m. He caught
the trembling hands and held them {,
his beating heart. and an agony Of ten
derncss and seIr-reproach came into hi,
eyes AS they met the tcardrowned gazi
OF hers
You will not lose me il it pains you.
will still be your friend.
After tonight she said. slowly.
lie dropped her hands The blood rush
cd to his very brow.
lou are right. can't expect you {,
trust ne since | can no longer trust my
self. 50 must leave you.
no. yct--not now" she cried. with
terrof that hrookcd no concealment "Iot
could not leave me Ike this
THE sooner the better" he said hus
kly; "all has been said il only remain,
~ part both-er sakcs.''
The dressing bel! had runs long before
for dinner was 10 % an hour earlier OF
account OF the tableatN, but neither o
| turned 10 stone.
You must do rs you think best shD
said, speaking with slow AMI painful ef
fort II leave il all TO you.'
Then it is better go Sooner or late
| knew one of tive things must happen
| Yonr lips would speak my banShmen
or condemnation.
But | do forgive you, She said, quiet
| .y. DO not thiuk 50 hardly OF me; onl,
| only y
Only. all the same. our live, are Sc,
I cred, he said. God bless you, Ierhap
lie will make you happy yet Is 70
| me
Don't" she criel piscoosly: don
say have brought trouble upon you
life. cane bear To think it-oh. ] can
bear 10 think it.'