Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-05-15

"No, I do not mean that. 1t u a
NJ fault. should have gone away
long ago. I could not help It. tried
oh, l tyiedv'
Marys eyes were bent upon tn
door, and tears were falling over mel
flushed cheeks unheeded and uncheek
Cd.
there b no fault in any one. Mel
Their could help It," she murmured.
mo, no; it is not that there 10 any
fault In the ordinary sense. 1t 10 hk'
suicide or any other great self innictet
injury with me. am different from
other men. shall never recover"
II know only too we'll that you arr
different from other men, and-and !
too, am different from other women
Am l notY
"Ah, different! There is no othsl
woman in all this wide, long world
And they were in each others armI
again. She turned her shoulder t
him and rested with the support Of hi
arms about her. Her eyes were cas-
down in silence, and she was evident
" thinking as she toyed with the lact
Of his doublet. Brandon knew hel
varying expressions SO well that ht
saw there was something wanting, q
he asked:
us there something you wish Il
say"
mot L." she responded with EN-
phasis on the pronoun.
"Then it is something you wish mi
to say?"
She nodded her head slowly, "Yes."
"What is It? Tell me, and l will say
It"
She shook her head slowly, mo"
"What is it? l cannot guess"
"Did you not like to hear me say tina
that I-loved you?"
"Ah. yes! You know 1t. But-oh!-
do you wish to hear me say IT."
The head nodded rapidly two o.
three times, yes" And the blacl
curving lashes were lifted for a feet
ing, luminous instant.
ut is surely not necessary. Yot
have known it so long already, but
am only too glad to say 1t. ! love you
She nestled closer to him and hid he
face on his bro ,st.
Now that have said it, what Is m!
reward?" he asked, and the fair face
came up, red and rosy, with rewards,
any one Of which was worth a king
ransom.
But this Is worse than insanity,
cried Brandon as he almost pushed hel
from him. I'VE can never belong t.
each other. Never"'
NO" said Mary, with despairinf
shake Of the head, as the tears begaI
to flow again. mo, never" And fall
ing upon his knees he caught both he
hands in his, sprang to his feet anc
ran from the room.
Her words showed him the chasn
anew. She saw the distance between
them even better than he. Evidently
1t seemed farther looking down thar
looking up. There was nothing lef'
now but flight.
He sought refuge in his own apart
ments and wildly walked the floor, ex
claiming: Fool, fool that l am to lay
up this store of agony to last me al
my days. Why did ever come to this
court? God pity me-pity me" Ane
he fell upon his knees at the bed. bury
ing his face in his arms, his mighty
mans frame shaking as with palsy.
That same night Brandon told me
how he had committed suicide, as be
put it, and of his intention to go tc
Bristol and there await the sailing OF
the ship and perhaps find partial res
direction in New Spain.
Unfortunately. he could not start for
Bristol at once, as he had given some
challenges for a tournament at Rich
mond and could furnish no good excuse
TO withdraw them, but he would not
leave his room or again see that girl
who was driving him mad"
1t was better, he thought, and wise
", too, that there be no leave taking
but that he should go without meeting
her.
IF l see her again." he said, II shall
have to kill some one, even If 1t ia only
myself"
l heard him tossing in his bed all
night, and when morning came he
arose looking haggard enough, but with
his determination 10 run away and see
Mary no more stronger than ever up
on him.
But Providence or fate or some one
ordered it differently, and there was
plenty of trouble ahead.
Ito BE C'ONTINUED.l !