The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1903-12-11
RECONVERTED
(Original.l

had fallen out of the universe. Mar
guerite would not marry him without
that consent, and as there was no hope
and he felt he could not live near her
and not possess her he went to point
us far distant as he could well get
within the limits Of the United States.
Ho settled in Seattle.
He was an attractive fellow. and
there were attractive girls In the far
west, but Olcott considered his heart
broken and would have none Of them.
When told that some day he would for
get all about his youthful love and
marry he declared that he would never
marry any one but Marguerite Searle.
He was certainly faithful lover, for
he cherished her image in his heart,
and though he and she grew out OF
their youth that image remained the
same. Marguerite married to suit her
mother about a year after Olcott's
departure. but Olcott did not hear Of it
till long after, and then only that she
was married. When, where and to
whom he did not learn.
Then Olcott's uncle died and left him
a fortune on condition that he should
take the uncle's name, Howe. Olcott
accepted the terms and the fortune and
went east to manage his estate.
He was now forty instead Of twenty
and began to feel the necessity OF a
companion. He was expected by the
terms Of the will to open the manor
house, and would need some one to
take care Of it and preside over it.
The romance in him had died out. at
least he said SO, and he made up his
mind to marry on common sense prin-
ciples. Some of his friends advised
him to choose woman much younger
than himself, since the wife should be
younger than the husband, and he
would find girl Of twenty much more
tractable than woman Of forty. But
Olcott-or, rather. Howe. which was
now his name--demurred, declaring
that he would marry one near his own
age.
Among those to whom he was intro
duced after his return to the east was
q Mrs. Harding, widow. There was
something about her that reminded
him Of his old love. Perhaps this in
f1uenced him, though he did not ac-
knowledge 1t to himself. At any rate
he made up his mind the first time he
saw her that she was the woman lie
wanted. He was hurried into some
what precipitate proposal from the
fact that she was preparing for two
years absence in Europe. Howe de-
termined to stop this IL possible and
the only way he knew to go about 1t
was to offer her the position he had in
mind
II know" he said to her, "that we
have both passed tLat romantic period
where we think we can love but once.
I confess that my heart was given to
another when I was but half my l,res-
cnt age, and l have been true in rO-
mantle point Of view to the girl l
loved, and shall always be thus true.
years is still mine 10 give. and l am
told by married IcoI lie that the love Of
romance in time hnrlens into a family
love that, If less violent. Is far deeper
and more enduring. That love offer
YOU"
II, too," said the widow, "have pass
| ed into that stage which you describe.
l have had one love in which my heart
was absolutely engaged and can
never have another such; but can
love as You say. and If such love Is
| acceptable to vol 1t is yours"
Howe WINGED. He was quite willing
| to give dead love, but when it came
to the point he found he preferred a
live one in return.
| There is a difference" he said, '.bc.
tween our cases. In yours the object
Of your love is dead; in mine she may
be living, though. confess. rs to thi7
am not informed. She married years
ago. since when I have heard nothing
Of her"
You mistake" replied the widow
my late husband was not the love re
fer to. In my gif,Lood I loved one
whom could not ua-ry."
| Then" said Howe. I'VE are quits ae
tc these two loves. Tad we not bette,
let them remain buried in the dead past
and devote ourselves to living pres.
ent? I confess thcse old loves, when
confronted with new ones, IRE musty
and have sepulchral Odor. Dear Mrs
Harding
Call me Marguerite" she whispered
letting her head fan on his breast.
"MargueriteY he asked, starting.
eyes; Marguerite"
Marguerite Searle".
Il was Marguerite Searle."
"And am
Anthony Olcott."
"You knew meT'
"From the flrst. A woman's love 1.
not mans. to forget even the slightes,
trait tone Of voice, step. look Of
the eye. She treasures these In hel
heart. and when they come to her again
after years Of absence. though dis
Euised, they have for her the same
charm as of old"
Marguerite. forgive me for not
true. you reminded We Of yourself, but
confess
'"There is nothing to forgive you fol
unless 1t Is for being man. Men can
not retain what is so enduring In wo
man"