The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-20

after all these years.?
He cannot answer her. The love he
once thought was dead is throb.
bling through his pulses, filing his
breast with an agony OF yearning. How
much he would give, all, Heaven! to
take her into the warm embodiment CT
his arms and cover those dear lips vita
passionate kisses.
She comes a little closer to him She
lays one hand upon his breast looking
up with a smile whose wltchery 10 simply
maddening.
Listen" she says. Though you haG
treated me so cruelty, Jack, l couldn't
quite believe that you had ceased to
care for me. And when papa and mamma
died you can never know how lonely
was, and how my heart hungered for
your presence and love. tried to forget
you, but in vain. l devoted myself to
art; but your face would come between
me and the pictures l was painting, and
l could think of no one, dream OF no one
but you-always you. Do you wonder
then, that I am here? oh, Jack, speak
to me! Say-say you are glad that l have
COME"
CLAD" he echoes hoarsely.
Oh, the bitter irony OF fate. How can
he tell her-how utter the words that are
to part them forever?
'Alce' he says, has no one told you
do you not know-that I am-lcarried ."
Married? You?"
She looks at him increduloualy. The
smile has not left her lips, but it is
changing, growing sad with reproachful
sweetness.
"You are jesting,' she signs. 'Oh. this
Is cruel
The mournful cadence in her voice
nearly overpowers him. All his soul
leaps into instruction against the VOWS
that bind him. He makes a sudden move
ment as if to fling his arms around her
and draw her to his breat. For mo-
ment the deadly sweetness of this passion
threatens to destroy him.
For moment only, however. All at
once the fair pure face of his wife rises
before his mental vision. His lips whiten
and MS arms fall.
N is true he says huskily. 'And I
must not-dare not remain with you
longer. Observation-Disclosures me if you
will; but try, oh, l beseech you, try to
forgive and-forget."
He turns from her then, and half
blind with pain, goes stumbling from the
spot.
An hour later Mrs. Desmond entering
her husbands study, finds him seate1
beside a writing table with his face hid
den in MS folded arms.
Home already, Jack" she says. you
didn't enjoy the ball surely"
He lifts his head smiling haggardly.
NO" he says, l did not enjoy it at
all"
He observes as he speaks that she is
regarding him intently. Coming closer,
she lays one hand lightly on his fore
head.
Jack" she says, your faced is flushed
and your brow burning. Is anything the
matter?"
A deeper glow mounts to his check
the hue of bitter shame.
''No, nothing he answers gratefully.
81 am not feeling very well, it is true;
but / shall be all right in the morning "
She shakes her head, her gentle hand
pushing back the tumbled locks from
his brow
Il am afraid" she says in low voice
that yours is a mental trouble. Don't
you know that you ought not to keep
anything from. your wife,"
With a deep and inarticulate cry, he
drops upon one knee at her feet, and
Selling both of her hands in his, bows
his face upon them. covering them with
lingering kisses.
You are my life, my angel" he says
brokenly. "All that l am or that l hope
to be you have made me. And if ever
cause you one moments pain--you who
raised me from the depths and gave me
your precious faith-may the curse of
God"
She stops him with one cool palm upon
his fevered lips.
Hush" she says gently. "You mustn't
talk il that wild way. You brighten ne.
And why are you kneeling there? Rise
Jack. 1 beg OF you."
Not yet l want you to know TO feel
that my life from this moment is con
secrated to you afresh. 1 want you to
believe that were called On to surrender
it for your sake, would do 50 without
a murmur Do you believe this? Is your
faith i'll NE full and completc?"
Her soft hand again drops on his fore
lead. smoothing back with loving touch
the dark chestnut curls.
Yes" she says, sit isl
And now one thing more. 1 am not
worthy of your wifely love, and yet /
desire it above everything else OH earth.
a Wifc's love is her husbands strength
and shield. Let me know that l hold
yours and no power on earth could tempt
me to evil. Then won't you admit rue
into the inner sanctuary Of your heart?
Won't you make me feel that l am your
husband-nay, your lovcr-in truth as
well as name?"
In his eagerness, though still kneeling.
he has clasped his arms about her waist,
lis pleading handsome face upiifted 20
hers.
thrill runs through her from head
to foot
''You wish that" she says, little
husky catch in her voice. You 10
really?"
81 wish it." We answers. with my
whole heart and soul"
She lays her hands upon his arms
gently freeing herself from their close
embrace.
Wait" she falters. Let me think"
With this she moves few steps away
flCm him, and when next she speaks It