Evening journal., 1903-12-22

thing. Don't. oh don't say that you
can never care.'
All the pent up passion for the man
she loved gave vent to itself. Her sobs
were pitiful ana tears came even 70
the eyes of the man whom people said
had a heart of marble. He lifted her
gently from the floor and held her to
his breast
Jane he murmured, Il loved once
with as great a love as yours. Nay
no love as great as mine ever existed
for though IL is now fifteen years or
more since | was stabbed 20 the heart
by ickle woman, ] still love her.
SO you see l am also to be pitied."
eve We're engaged 10 be married
and no happier man live IN the world
than I until man-at least they
called him that-weolthy and bearing n
distinguished name. came between us.
She was wealthy and wealth was what
he wanted. Well, ! was not a pauper,
but could not trace lineage that the
world regarded equal 90 his. You see
the difference. / thought she loved me,
but that was only ream. Our en-
gagemcnt was broken at her request.
She married and 1 became drunkard.
There is no country on this earth i
lhave not seen. My fortune was wasted.
/ drank, thinking 10 forget but could
not. Monte Carlo had me as guest
for months and / recklessly gambled
my fortune away all for her whose
face haunted me both night and day.
with my money gone, friends that
had made al that hell left me. They
paid my fare 30 Paris. however, not
through any friendship for me, but be-
cause Il was cheaper than the expense
attached to a funeral. ! obtained cm-
ployment as a fireman on a locomotive
and saved enough money TO come here
"The woman / should have we'd has
led as unhappy a life asmyself. She dis
covered her error shortly after hei
marriage. but IL was then too late tC
turn back and 1t may be Gods vii
that she suffers because ! do
Tears no longer flowed from James
eyes and Michaels gently led her I,
his own chair and forced her to si
down. lie kissed her forehead and lef
the room
No sound disturbed the Stiffness o.
the room. save the quiet breathing o.
the pale creature sitting beside tn,
fireplace. Her eyes were wide opeI
but appeared 20 stare into space. hel
mouth trembled pitifully but no soun,
ESCAPED.
The early morning hours found hei
still reclining in the chair. but her eyel
were now closed. Her breathing wa'
/ faint and she lay as one dead,
Up stairs Michaels lay tossing IN his
bed. He awolse with a start. The col,
sweat broke from every pore. rerro
seized him. he looked at the clock. i
had passed the hour Of four. Spring
ing out Of bed he quickly dressed him
self and fastened 10 his wife's room
but her bed was empty.
Descending 90 the first door he founl
Jane stlll lying In his chair and creep
ing softly to her side he whisrNred
Jane but there was no response ani
touching her playfully upon the cheel
his fears gave way 60 agony. Their
appeared to be no warmth in the pal
and smooth skin beneath his touch ami
with am agonizng moan he fell upoi
his knees
"Cod forgive me- ] do love her." h
cried i'm In his anguish Jane deal
do come back 20 me-. he pleaded an
fell sobbing across her inert form.
Z Revived by the warmth OF the kisse
s he showered upon her lips. Jane ne
; turned TO consciousness opened he
! eyes IN wonder. ana childlike woun
her arms about her husbands necl
; John" she whispered you do lov
! me- and for answer he printed pas
sionate kiss upon her lips. The SCUM
of bells ringing struck their ears. ]
was Christmas morn and as Michael
gently folded his wife within his arm
he fervently gave thanks to The Bah
of Bethlehem.
Several weeks passed before IN
physicians pronounced Jane we
enough to make an extended tou
through The South.
"A Christmas honeymoon" SAT-
Michaels playfully as he and his wifi
stepped aboard the steamer. The Loo
Of love she gave him from her dee
blue eyes made him the happiest mai
In the world Ernest j. Otteni.