The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1903-04-18

stance into elementary parts-or dis.
sect them by sort of mental sur
gerry. We have always been comrades
after fashion, Gregory, but 1 never
understood you like other men,"
no. said the other sadly, that
has been my curse-to mask my real
self from all the world. I've been a
sort of emotional detective. I've pried
into the hearts of men and women,
to see them beat for others-never
for myself. Since childhood I have
craved for love and understanding.
Never has it come. They said: He
is strange boy; so different from
the rest l felt myself an outcast
and began to shun my former play
mates-ashamed, knew not why.
tried to act like the others but was
too young to play part. People saw
the trick and I felt it ever-like a
felon in disguise. Some were indif-
ferent. I did not mind that. Some
disliked me, with the distrust of
Ignorance for aught that is strange.
l grew accustomed to this in time.
Still others pitied, and it cut me like
a knife. I writhed a while and then
grew strong enough to bear it with.
out a sign. But always searched
and studied and peered into the Gran.
MES Of the human heart to find
wherein the difference lay between
me and my fellows. All about me
We're the things for which L craved-
human love and the sympathy of
understanding. They were beautiful
to me-the sun, the wine, the music
OF my life. They grew within my
soul and made me glad-only to sec
them-but they only added to the
hunger which l dared not show
Sometimes, Edward, when no one else
is by, every fibre of my being cries
aloud for the touch of a woman's
hand, the look of trust, the tender
message, the many little things
which other men possess, but which
have never come to me. No one but
you will ever know this. You at least
have tried to understand me-you
and Margaret, who is dead. tell you
this because l loved her-perhaps
you ought to know. although she
| rever guessed it. I loved her better
than the soul within me-than God
himself. Not with the passion which
drives men mad, but with that deeper
feeling which is repressed and throbs
in mighty silence through every
| thought and purpose while life lasts
"Yes, you hid it. from us both," said
Edward, dimly, vaguely,-"and
think I understand" He arose and
began to pace the room. His face was
working now with some unfathomed
conf1ict-the calm was gone. Ate,
a time he stopped before the others
chair and regarded him intently.
"I'll have to ten you now," he
said, hoarsely. "You have the right
to know. You thought that Margaret
died of heart disease. All the world
thinks so. 1t does not know the
truth-but you SHALL Read this
Gregory took the letter from the
others hand and spread it. out before
him. He started as the first lire met
his glance and turned to his com
panion. go on" said Edward, "read
it through" and Gregory, with 8
white and silent face, turned to the
page again. It ran as follows: 2>
| MY Husband-It is not for yor
or other men to judge me for the
1 deed / am about to do. That is fol
God, who knows the frailties Of wo
mems hearts. Nor is mine the faui
that I have not the strength Longer
! to fight the passion i have hid from
you thus far. You, are so strong, 81
independent of a life like mine; yo,
| will not miss me as a. weaker maj
might donor will you blame Il N,
! when you know the truth. am cast
ing away my life. In a little phial
now within my hand, there rests
! sure and rapid cure for earthly Ills
land one which gives. no 81 81. szz u
draws no lines Of agony upon the fac.
one merely sleeps, and it is over
MY father was 9 chemist -he taugh
me somewhat Of his craft, and Of thi,
berry, which, STEPPED in wine, give,
peace to weary hearts.
'.'And now the secret which cause,
me to take this step: It IS I q thin,
which came into my life unasked
Som ething stronger than myseli tll,
Ilove of another man; your friend.
was destiny that mad e you brIng hin