The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1903-10-23
rHAprER IX.-lCoN1mrrpl

made 4 preteAt, Dttofo koihk VuH ~
call her into the adjoining sitting
room. How have forfeited my place
in your good graces7" he began, In
playfulness. that was lost in earnest
ness before he finished his speech. u
have tried TO persuade myself that your
cold avoidance OF me for weeks past,
and your rejection OF my services when-
ever II is possible for you to dispense
with them. was. in part, an untounded
fancy Of my own. and partly the re-
suit OF your absorption in the dear
duty that has demanded yeur time
and thoughts ! have begun lately TO
have other fears--dreads leet had un-
Willingly wounded or displeased you.
DO me the justice TO believe that, II
this be 10, the oifense was unconsei-
Qua"
"You have offered none-none what
sverr interposed Constance. with cold
emphasis. 81 am sorry my manner has
given rise to such appreh
THAT IL not spoken like the frank
uister OF a month ago" said Edward,
retaining the hand she would have
withdrawn. 81 will not release you
until you tell me what Is the shadow
npon the affection that was TO me more
dear than any other friendship. and
which dared hope was much to you.
Be. for one instant, yourself. and tell
me ALL"
She was very pale but, In despera-
ton, abe tried to laugh. You must
not call me to account for my looks
and actions nowadays, Edward. | think
sometimes that am not quite sane.
I have gone through much suffering;
been the prey OF imaginings that al
most deprived me Of reason. besldea
enduring the real and present trial.
And heaven knows how unready was
Tor II ALI"
zone word. my dear girl. and my In
QUESTION Is over. Assure me honestly
and without fear OF wounding me, have
you ever. In your most secret thought,
blamed mo for the casualty which so
nearly widowed you? l did try, as you
can bear me witness. TO dissuade him
whom we both love from the expert
ment that cost him so dear The idea
that you may have doubted this has
panied me inexpressbly."
Dismiss the suspicion at once and
foroverw Constance looked steadily
into his face and spoke calmly. "The
thought has never entered my mind.
blame no one for my trouble-exeept-
Ing myself
Before she could divine his purpose,
Edward had put his arm over her
shoulder and pressed his lips TO hers.
"Let bygonos be bygonesN he said
brightly and fondly we have too
much TO live and to hope for to waste
time In nursing unhealthy surmises
AID fears"
"ohr The sharp little interiection
came from the threshold OF the door
leading into the hail, where Miss Field
was dlcovered In fine attitude OF bash
iul apology. family favored with prud-
lsh CONSERVATION Il did not dream
you were here. was on my way TO
my cousins rooml" she continued, in
prodigious fiutter OF ringlets and
shoulders. II beg a million pardons,
| am sure"
you need not beg onew said the
undaunted Edward, without releasing
Constance. Connie and have been
settling a trivial Misunderstanding in
good boy-and-girl style-hRve Just
kissed and made up and we now mean
TO be better friends than ever"
''Hel hel you are excessively candid.
to be surew Uttered Harriet. But"
shaking her black ourls-"Mra with
ers knows men and human nature too
well to believe quite all you say. We
must not forget. my dear madam,
that men were deceivers ever"
you speak feelingly." said Edward.
carelessly, following Constance with his
eye. as she moved silently toward her
husbands chamber. IL shall caution
the lady Of my love-should the gods
ever bestow one upon me-not to sip OF
the bitter waters Of your wisdom"
Had he seen the glitter OF the round,
black Orb8 that pursued his retiring
figure, he might have made more
thoughtful exit, his run down the stairs
been less swift, the air he hummed, as
he went. Jess gay.
He had pleasant drive; Constance
an hour OF mingled sweet and bitter
ness. II was difficult 10 bear her part
In the apparent renewal OF the familiar
intercourse OF other days, without re-
Taxing the severe guard she had set
upon herself from the moment she dis
covered the true nature OF the senu-
ment she entertained for her husbands
brother. She could not help delight
ing in his society. In the manifold
proofs OF loving concern for her com
fort and happiness Of which abe was the
recipient. Yet, underlying this secret
and ileeung Joy. was the ever-present
shame that marked her remembrance
OF her guilty weakness, and the despair
ing knowledge that remorse. duty and
resolve had thus far Rvalled nothing
20 conquer II.
She looked faded rather than refresh
ed upon her return, although she had
curtailed the ride IN opposition 20 Ed
wards advice wild, rebelllous
thoughts fought for mastery within her
all the while she was with him, the
promptinga OF an insane famlllarltyshe
could not cast out III ] had met him
two wears ago funtaad ~ HE brntbnr