Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-18

wonlan's hearth asked her a, question.
"Ethelwynn,' said, calmly and Sc
fiously, I'VE love each other. know
I've been suspicious without cause and
cruel 81 my neglect, nevertheless the
separation has quickened my affection and
has shown that to me life without you is
impossible. You, darling, are the only
woman who has entered my life. have
chalnpioned no woman save yourself; by
no ties have been bound to any woman
in this world. This would have you be-
liege, for it is the truth-God is my wit
ness
She made ME no answer Her tiny
, hands trembled in my grasp. and she
bowed her, head so that could not see
her face
viii you not forgive, dearest?' I
urged. The great longing to speak out
my mind had overcome me, and having
eased myself of my burden, stood await
ing her response. twill you not be mine
!, again, as in the old days before this chain
OF tragedy fell upon your house?''
Again She hesitate ed for several. min
utcs. Then, Of q sudden she lifted her
I.tear-stained face towards me. all rosy
with bushes and wearing that sweet
happy days bygone.
E ",
we well forget that any breach be-
tween US has ever existed. I desire moth
! ing else, for as you well know, I love no
one else but yourself. I have been fool
ish, I know. I ought to have explained
the girlish romantic affection I once en-
tertalred for that man who afterwards
married Mary. In those days he was my
ideal Why. cannot tell. Girls in their
| teens have strange caprices. and that was
mine. just as schoolboys fall violently in
love with married women, so are school,
girls som etines attracted toward aged
men. People wonder when they hear of
May. and December marriages. but they
are not always from mercenary motives,
as IS popularity supposed. Nevertheless.
acted wrongly in not telling you the truth
from the first. It is myself who is to
blame"
SO much she said. though with many
pause and with so keen a self-reproach
in her tone that could hardly bear to
hear her, when interrupted:
There is blame on both sides. Let US
forget it ALL and bent until my lips
met hers and we sealed our compact with
long clinging caress.
Yes. dear heart. Let US forget Il" she
whispered I'VE nave both suffered-both
of u.s. and I felt her arms tighten about
my neck. "Oh. how you must have hated
| net
..No.'' declared. 81 never hated you.
vas mystified and suspicious. because
felt assured that you knew the truth
regarding the tragedy at Kew and re-
mained silent.
She looked into my eyes as though she
would read nay soul.
Unfortunately,'' she answered. am
not aware of the trut -
But you are in possession Of certain
strange facts-eh %
That I am in possession Of facts that
lead me to certain conclusions sis the
truth. But the clue is wanting. have
been seeking for 1t through all these
months. but without success.
Cannot wesact in accord in this mat
ter, dearest? May not be acquainted
with the facts which. with ssour intimate
rknoWlsdge OF the Cburt enay household.
you were, fully acquainted with at the
!. time OF thestra ged 81 urged
o. Ralph she replied, sharing her
head and at the same time pressing my
hand. g icannot yet tell you #anyt thing
sThensyou have no confidence In me7,