The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1903-08-29

less to add that | ceased to care for
her after she threw me over. But some
how my faith in all women was shat
tered until met and loved you"
81 don't believe the heart ever truly
loves but once" she said with convic-
ton. eff youreally loved her you don't
love me-not with all the strength of
your nature.
"What do you know of love, child 2"
he demanded.
81 loved once" she confessed, a warm
flush glowing in her fair face.
Then, according to your theory,
you love him yet" he said trifie bit
terly.
"Yes," she answered simply; 81 have
net heard from him directly for more
than two years. He was away when
my father died, and uncle took me
home with him Immediately. He-he
worked as assistant bookkeeper to my
father. / was very young and he was
very poor; we knew we had to wait;
we were not formally engaged, but we
loved and understood each other"
"And during all this time he has
made no effort to see you or to cor
respond with your" asked Willis,
strange expression fitting across his
face.
HE is too proud to seek me now"
she answered, yalinantly. "My uncle
is rich, and he is poor. But my heart
tells me he is waiting for me and he
will seek me when he has something
more than his love to Offer
81 hope he WILL" said Willis, little
brokenly. 81 hope he will be every
thing you expect. But don't make the
mistake of cherishing romantic idea
which may be no more tangible than
the will-o'-the'wisp. To my mind his
long silence suggests the thought that
he has given you up, realizing that
your paths now lie so far apart"
"Mr. Whilst" she exclaimed, indig-
nantly, 81 am surprised to hear such
an expression from you; under the cir.
cumstances should -"
81 have only your happiness at
heart" he interrupted, "and I only
wish that Heaven had decreed that 1
should be the one to inspire such mar
velous faith in mans love and fidelity"
II ask your pardon for doubling
you," she said with downcast eyes.
Granted" he returned quickly, and
he roseitogo 81 may be ont of town for
a week or two, bus I'll see you at Mrs.
Scott's, won'tI? While am not to be
one of the house party I'll be there the
night of the ball"
II shall be there" she answered, and
they parted.
IT was seven o'clock, and Marie Allen
was the only one of all the guests at
Scott's Towers who was dressed for
dinner. She stood on the broad piazza
and looked anxiously down the long
carriage drive, for the afternoon train
would bring James Willis to Scottville
Finally her impatience mastered her,
and throwing a scarf about her bare
shoulders, she walked down the drive
way. She reached the gate just as il
was opened to admit the expected
guest.
He greeted her pleasantly, though
with some degree of formality. 81
walked up from the station" he ex-
planned. "A June evening in the coun-
try is irresistible-but hope I'll not
keep dinner waiting"
DINNER is at eight" she said. 81
dressed early, and-and came to meet
you" She brought the words out with
a jerk, and looked at him appealingly.
Without word he led her to rustic
bench near by. and seated himself be-
side her.
"You wished to see me alone, then? ?"
he asked.
"Yes," she said with little gasp. 81
knew it would be next to impossible to
talk with you unless l met you here,
and i could not wait to tell you"
ITO tell me what?" he asked, trying
in vain to conceal his eagerness.
II have seen him." she anwered with |
a little laugh. "and you are right and |
am wrong"
He pressed her hand encouragingly. |
II came on the morning train" she |
"and it stopped at little
town for several minutes-and / saw |
him. His store is near the railroad |
,rossing; he sells plcws and things. |
He looked the same, and yet different
He was talking to country girl as
pretty as wild rose"
Willis began to laugh in snite of him.
self.
"You know an without my telling
vou," she said, joining in the laugh.
L don't suppose he has given me a
thought since / passed out of his life.
de looked contented and prosperous,
ind he had eyes for no one but his pref
y companion. l had dreamed of him
'oiling and striving for my sake, when
as you suggested, he ceased
o care for me long ago. It is newt
lble that the change in our circum-
tances should have left its mark on
10Th, but believe me, that is not the
My reason I could not love him now.
{ is true that look into the hazy dis
ance often discloses a beautiful pic
ure which a closer view would dis
ipate; and have had the closer view.
that is not the reason / do
lot love him now"
"And the heart never truly loves but
nee" said Willis, hopelessly.
"Ah! but it does" she said softly,
Il ho ho 20 L. ~ |