The Elbert County tribune., 1903-11-12


rational. but in his rational moments
as well as in his dcilrium lie talked
always OF Constance He said that he
was an American architect. and in his
haste to get home and marry the
woman he loved he had overworked
himself in the intense heat of Italy
They We're not engaged; she knew that
II she engaged herself TO him he would
never have strength to leave her. But
she had promised TO wait for him
promised TO listen to his love when he
got back.
Sitting by the architects bedside.
my friend wrote to Constance. 1t was
short letter and TO the point. The
next steamer brought her reply. She
was distressed to learn of the archi-
tect's illness. She cared for him. be
lieved in him, was interested in his
work; but she did not love him. She
had never listened TO his love for her
and only once had she given him
CLEAN of hope 1t was when he came
to say good-by. Partly TO silence him.
partly because her heart was filed
with an infinite pity for him, she had
promised TO listen when he came home.
What the letter lacked in honesty it
made up in cleverness."
Il think" said the woman at his
side. that / understand Constance"
"The day my friend got the letter
he buried the architect in the English
cemetery at Rome. on his breast was
the photograph Of the woman who had
lied to him. He died trusting Con
stance. After that my friend found
that life. when robbed of its glamor.
is ugly business. All the old faiths
were kone. the plans and dreams"
He broke off abruptly and there was
silence save for the music OF the wa
ters- When he continued, softer
note had crept into his voice.
AT last second woman came into
his life. bringing with her hope and
happiness. Then he found that the
boys love is not the mans love; that
there is love stronger. deeper. pro-
founder"
'.Does the second woman loye-your
friend:'
Yes he answered. looking steadily
into her eyes. his own shining. "He
would stake his soul on her love. When
she becomes his wife"
But Constance? Surely your hon
orable friend answered her letter?'
He looked up with n frown. but
smiled as he caught her eyes full of
eager interest.
HE sent her some drawings the ar
chltect had requested to be sent, and Il
paper announcing his death"
The hand holding the parasol trem-
bled.
Your friend was engaged to marry
Constance. Did she release him?"
Her eyes wandered to where child
in dirty pinafore was playing In the
hot. white sand. 'Diggin' frou to
China" the tot had told her, as she
passed, and she, pulling one of the
brown curls. had laughed at him. Now
her life's happiness depended upon
the success of the undertaking.
After while the man spoke. "The
architect. lying dead in Rome with
her picture under his clasped arms
that was my friends release" He
WINGED n little under her eyes. and con-
tinued; when he found that this new
love had come into his life. he wrote
a letter TO Constance. but the letter
seemed useless. and it was never
mailed. It-shall be sent at once"
He had ended lameiy and he knew
it. Something in the attitude of the
woman gave him grim, realizing
sense that he had played pltiful part.
Tell your friend not to send that
letter. The second woman will never
marry him."
Edith he cried sharply. "Edith!'
She had risen and was slowly draw
ing on her long gloves.
Tell your friend to go back to the
woman who is waiting for him-the
woman to whom he belongsr'
Edith. do you know what you are
doingT
Il? Oh. am simply living up to n
woman's code of honor.' She smiled
down into his white face "Tell him
that this is my case in point."-Louise
Blake N the Housplold- !. .adppr