Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-03-13

from the house top or OF preiacln8 my
conversation with people by that informa-
tion. People who know my wife ana me
have never attached tho slightest disgrace
to our living apart. 1t is simply and sole.
ly case of incomputiblity. The last
charge you made 1t hardly seems neces-
sary TO deny
Frank looked squarely into Herbert's
eyes.
Don't you care more for her than Is
the right of even friendy"
Herbert turned away impatiently. by
Jove, you are going too far. Will hot
answer that question"
Then Frank blazed out with: II love
her. / don't care who knows 1t. Ia go
through tho fires Of hell to win her, ana
know she doesn't care that for me, " ana
he snapped his fingers disdainfully. It's
such ulspeakable pain-this wasted love.
don't want Platonics. Pm SO wretched
it's hard not to be cruel"
The sound of the doorbell pealed through
the house.
THAT must be Mcfarland. must 60"
And Frank snatched his hat and coat. IN
n few moments the outer door closed after
him.
To do Herbert justice it must be said
that no intimation of the possibility or
such state of affairs had ever entered his
mind. Like many people, he forgot thab
love could be born of distance and separa-
ton as uly as propinquity and assocla-
ton. He wondered at his lack of perspicac-
ity.
But he did love Isabel with the quiet
intensity of a nature like his. or late he
had hoped and feared that she returned his
affection. She sorely needed the serene,
protected life of wifehood motherhood,
that it was not in his power to give any
woman. He wondered If Frank could
make her happy. Thoughts of what life
could be with this sweet Isabel his wife
tempted him. Must he always go with
out? No sleep came to him that night,
and combat of soul ragged
In the morning business summoned him
to New York. Frank remained away all
night and came home TO dinner to find
Herbert gone. In tho quiet of his room
the misery that absorbing duties had sue
ceeded in sitting returned with increased
strength. A wild desire to SEQ Isabel, to
be near her seized him, ami he went up
to her room, where tho door stood hospita-
bly, open
She was seated before her desk writing.
A largo glass bowl filed with datfodils
and tulips made "a blaze Of color beside her
dainty brown head bent over the paper
She felt his presence and turned her
head.
Come in, she said, smiling as he
stammcred an excise. You look tired to
death. Take the big chair and mako
yourself comfortable. She pointed with
her pen TO chair by the table. Excuse
me for moment while finish this.
He settled down among the cushions
still watching her.
She folded and addressed the letter with
sigh Of relief. He closed his eyes wea-
rily, and when he opened them she was
sitting in u rocking chair sewing.
II didn't suppose you ever sewed, iike
other women" he observed, thinking that
to be with her in this homelike compan-
ionship was the sweetest feeling he had
ever known.
why not? OF course can sew. This is
something for fair Mrs. Martin is inter
ested in. She stopped In surprise Frank
had got up and closed the door opening
into the hall. She started to her feet. The
scissors fell TO the floor as he said passion
ately:
Isabel, must tell you. You are the
only woman l care for, or ever shall care
for. Will you be my wife?"
Her fingers were locked together. He
could see her tremble.
You surprise me very much. l never
dreamed of such thing" she managed TO
say.
He gently took her hands in his. Il
u httt a if--Iatoff
tell me you cannot care for me-.
She turned her face away from him.
"Do you love HERBERT" he asked in n
low tone. The color rushed TO her face.
She did not answer.
Il see, Frank said, dropping her hands.
"You must not let yourself think he cares
for you, though, for he is married, and he
will not divorce his wife Can you bear
the strain of love that could never find
its legitimate satisfaction in marriage: |
beg you to consider before you cast away
reality for shadow"
The flush faded, leaving her very pale.
Isabel could never account for the sudden
transition of feeling, as if the earth had
given way under her feet and "a strong
hand was extenuea To save ner. She could
not speak, but raised her eyes to his with
u lO0h III tltin thtb tOIA AZ '1lithl4s
Frank drew her close into his embrace.
AT last she whispered: You must so.
1t is very late
He took her face between his hands and
kissed it, Then he asked, Isabel, are you
truly mine?'
If you are sure you want me-" she fall
tered.
He looked soarchingly into her eyes, and
kissing her once more went away to his
own apartments.
In the clear light of morning Franks
sensitive conscience shamed him with the
recollection of his unfairness to Herbert
"How could l? How could IY' he
thought all the while he was dressing.
Herbert was expected home early that
morning. He could only retrieve himself
by giving Isabel back her freedom to
choose between them. Hastily he scrawled
this note:
IsABEL-I was unjust to Herbert in saying
what / did last night. He simply refused to
tell me If he cared for you. l should wrong
you both IL l did not make amends by giving
you the choice between us.
This he sent to her room, and then he
waited for Herbert to come.
Isabel was astonished when she read 1t,
but who can fathom a woman's hearth
Though she recognized the injustice
Frank had done her, though she hated
sim she loved the sinner. There was no
more doubt In her mird.