Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-01-29

The presence of the waiter during
dinner prevented much private con.
versation, and it was only when he
had removed the table and they had
established themselves by the wood
fire which was throwing out a cherry
glow, that both felt tnat the best part
of the whole day had come.
Nigel smoked in silence for a few
seconds and the girl watched him.
STELLA he said at last, there is
some,-lng l want to tell you, but |
have horrible presenlment that our
evenings of bliss are going to be put
an end to, and | hate to spoil one of
them"
well, please do not attempt it"
she answered. Suppose | tell you in
stead when l first began to love you,
That is much more important than
! your information which makes you
look so solemn. She left her seat
and slipped down on the hearth rug,
where she sat with one arm resting
on his chair, gazing straight before
her into the fire. 1T was that night
Iyou brought me home from the
Savoy she began, dreamily. You
remember when you said good night
you kissed me? Well, before that
had not been absolutely sure of my
self, but then l knew that l cared for
you and you only, and since then
every hing has been like a gloriously
happy dream"
'My dearest" Nigel broke in pas
sionately, Il am not worth it, and
when l told you"
Hush" she said putting three soft
fingers on his lips, you must not
interrupt. / want to tell you that
loving you has shown me what a
fiend | have been to other men, but,
Nigel, ever since l have known you
l have never liked my old heartless
sort of life and l have hated myself
because / ever did. Somehow, when
one is alone in the world and has
never learned what love really means,
nothing seems to matter. Now it is
all so different"
Il never knew what joys and won
ders this queer old world held until
l met you, little GIRL said the man
tenderly. you are so different to
every one else and so wonderfully
full of sympathy. How CHASTITY life
| would be without you. Did you ever
think it odd of me never to have
asked you to fix date for our mar
riage until just lately?"
"Of course not" she answered. q
| trust you and we have been so happy
all the time. Now you must not be
angry, but l was talking to you about
my old life. That letter | was an
swering was from man | used to
know. He is a theatrical manager
now and has offered me leading parts
in everything he produces for the
next three years, but would have to
marry him to get them"
''Of course it is that brute, Skip
toni" exclaimed Nigel, furiously.
what did you sey?"
20, need you ask?' answered
Stella. a little YEARLY. That it was
impossible; I know you do not like
my sticking to my profession, hut
have always spent every penny
earned and must have something to
live on, so am bound to work"
81 wish / were rich, little woman
said the man, earnestly; "but | am
not and am not good enough for
you" She regarded him steauIly.
He was good looking and fair, with
blue eyes and pleasant honest
smile; and as she looked Stella
thought herself lucky woman to
possess his love. She smiled con-
tentedly, rose from her lowly posi-
ton, and, putting her head close to
his, whispered, 81 like you as you are,
dear; we could not help being happy
together whatever outside circum-
stances may do"
Thank you," he said; you are
good to me; but. dearest, you look
tired; | shall go now. Good night.
May | come tomorrow"
Eyes, please. at II o'clock" she an
swered. Il am tired tonight" and so
he went.
He walked through the same
streets in which they had been before
dinner, thinking all the while of the
woman he had left and wishing he
had possessed sufficient courage to
tell her that until few weeks ago he
had not been free. she would hate
me for having made love to her while
my wife was still alive, he told him
self mOurnfully: Il cannot tell her
that at the beginning of our friend
ship it all meant nothing to me; she