Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-07-03

the unimpassioned manner in which
she had received the news Of Aliens
being alive. She was still very white,
and there was a strained look In her
face. Not the expression Of Joy he
would have expected to see. She
walked rapidly, paying no heed to
Dare.
He put his hand gently on her arm.
DO not walk go fast, Monica. You
will tire yourself out"
She did not reply, but went more
slowly.
Monica" began Dare, hesitatlngly.
lido not think that you will find .
letter from Allen"
She stopped still and looked at him.
What is it, Laurence? You are hids
ing something. What is the mystery?
Why did you not wish to read the let
ter?"
Monica, believe you are brave
girl. Call up all your pride now"
She gazed at him with wondering
eyes.
Laurence, what is 1t"
He looked hastily. 1t was but =
short distance to the rocks at the cove,
and the place was deserted.
Let us go down there. can not
talk to you here"
She followed him submissively.
Thoughts Of their last interview at
this place came to her mind. How
miserable she had been then, and how
miserable now Allen was alive, and
she, wretched girl, was not glad. She
did not love him. 1t was Laurence
that she loved, but she must be faith
full to Allen. Laurence must never
guess what wicked girl she was. AL
len alive, and she not glad, and what
was Laurence going to tell her.
Dare seated her in a sheltered posi-
tion and stood looking at her, world
Of compassion in his eyes.
Monica, would give my life to
spare you this. Allen is a scoundrel."
He draw the letter from his pocket,
opening 1t slowly.
What is it, Laurence? Why do
you speak SOL"
Then, as he did not answer, she said
with touch Of imperiousness In her
voice:
Let me read It."
He gave 1t to her, and she read. She
passed hastily over the preliminary
lines. But what was this?
II shall wait until later, Laurence,
old boy, to give you the details Of all
these years. Briefly, the enterprise on
which | came out here failed. kept
on trying others, hoping to achieve
some measure Of success before re-
turning home, but one failure succeed
ed another. Finally was taken Ill
with rheumatic fever. The woman at
whose house was staying nursed me
through 1t, and her daughter, one OF
the sweetest girls In the State, helped
her. Call me all the hard names you
wish, Laurence, ri not try to excuse
myself, but fell In love with her and
we were married. was coward,
know, but she loved me to distraction,
and We are very happy. Believe me,
have not been easy, when ! thought
Of my mother and Monica. But | met
Melton last week as he was passing
through to San Francisco. He told me
that you all believed me dead, and
that Monica was reported to be en-
gagged to you, 70 she Is consol6d and,
will forgive me. That Is why l am,
writing to disclose my whereabouts. l
am fairly prosperous and shall have,
mother come out here Immediately.
know she will forgive me, and she will
find the sweetest little daughter-ln-law
In the country You will suit Monica.
far better than should have done.
You have the same high ideals Of duty
and all that sort Of thing. | confess to
living on a lower plane"
Monica read no further, but threw
the letter down with a little cry and
hid her face In her hands.
Dare stood looking at her sadly,
curslng Allen In his heart.
my darling, II could have spared
you this" he said.
Presently Monica looked up at him
and said, TREMENDOUSLY.
Laurence, tried all along to be
faithful to Allen but"
But what, Monica?"
She stood up and looked into his
Eyes a feetlng glance, but Il was
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