The San Francisco call., 1903-01-18

10 avoid this. and II YOU had helped me
80 would never" But he remembered
how he had always des1ised Adam for
throwing the blame upon Eve. no matter
how much she may have deserved it. and
continued. NO. ] do not mean that lt
is all my fault 7 should have gone away
long ago. ] could not help it; l tried
NIarv's eyes were bent upon the floor,
and tears were falling over her flushed
checks unheeded and unchecked
could ] help IT,. she murmured-
'No. no: il is not that there is any fault
IN the ordinary sense; it is like suicide or
any other great self-inhicted injury with
me am different from other men l
shall never recover.
I know only too well that you are dif-
ferent from other men, Snd-and j. too,
am different from other women-am
nOt2"
"Ah, different. There is no other woman
In all this wide long world" and they
turned her shoulder TO him and rested
with the support Of his arms about her.
Her ewes were cast down in silence, and
she was evidently thinking as she toyed
vitl the lace of his doublet- Brandon
knew her varying eNpressons 50 Wen
that he saw there was something want
ing, SO he asked:
rs there something you wish to say?'
Not l. she responded with emphasis
on the prCnOun.
Then is it something you wish me to
She nodded her head slowly: Yes"
What Is it? Tell me and viii
say it,"
She shook her had slowly: No
What is it2 ] cannot guess
Did you not like 10 hear me say that
%Ah YES: You know it, But-oh.-do
YOU wish 10 hear me say it,
The head nodded rapidly two or threA
times. Yes" And the black curvins
lashes We're lifted for a neeting, luminous
instant.
ut Is surely not necessary. You have
known il so long already. but ! am only
TOO glad TO say it. / love you
She nestled closer to HIM and hid her
face on his breast
Now that ] have SAID II what is my
reward2' he aszed-and the fair face
came UP, red and rosy, wiBh rewards
any one OF which was worth King
ransom.
But this is worse than insanity"
cried Brandon, as he almost pushed her
from him We can never belong TO each
NO" said Mary, with a despairing
shake OF he head. as the tears began TO
now again; no! no neyer- AND nd falling
IN bis, sprang 10 his feet and ran from
The room.
Her words showed him the chasm anew.
Sne saw the distance between them eTcu
better than he Evidently it seemed fur
Their looking down than looking up.
There was nothing left row but flight
He sought refuge in his own apart
ments and wildly walked the floor,
claiming, Fool. fool that I am To lay
up this store Of agony ID last me all my
days. Why did I ever come to this court?
God pity me-pity me-" And he fell upon
his knees at the bed. burying his face
n his arms, his mighty mans frame
shaking as with a palsy.
That same night Brandon told me how
he had committed suicide. he put il.
and Of his intention TO 90 to BriS-
tOl and there await the sailing OF the ship.
ano perhaps find a partial resurrection in
New Spain.
Unfortunately, he could not start for
Bristol az once, as he had given some
challenges for a tournament at Richmond
and could furnish no good excuse 10 with
draw them; but he would not leave his
room. nor again see that girl who was
driving him mad
Il was better he thought. and wisely,
too. that there be no leave-taking. but
that he should 90 without meeting her.
IF I ever sec her again. he said. I
shall have 70 Kill some one, even If il is
only myself"
] heard him tossing in his bed all night
and when morning came he arose looking
haggard enough but with his determina-
uon 10 run away and see Mary no more
stronger than ever upon him.
But providence. or fate or some one.
ordered it differently, and there was pien-
~ OF trouble ahead