Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-02-25
SO NEARLY LOST
!
Continued.
BIZ CHARLES GARvIoK


weeks ago. when she wandered home
less and helpless, destitute and for
lorn, about the cold London streets
and compared it with the present
period of fame and prosperity, felt with
selfreproach that she ought to be hap
Ply and thankful.
But somehow there was a dull ach
ing at her heart, and in her innermost
soul she felt that she would give all
she possessed-fame, popularity, and
future wealth-to be once more the
girl who stood on Deercombe Cliffs
with Stuart Villiars' arm around hel
waist and his vows of love in her ears
So she sat, with her book in her
hand, but ber eyes fixed on the fire
and it was with start, and something
Ike guilty flush, that she heard the
door open and the servant announce
Mr.. Mordaunt Royce
What right had she to be dwelling
on the past and Stuart Villiars, now
that she was betrothed to another?
Royce stood for a moment in the
doorway looking at her. 1t seemed to
him that her beauty had increased
during the last few weeks, and it
struck him at the moment that he
had never seen lovelier picture than
she made, sitting there in the glow of
the fire, with that soft, warm flush on
her face.
Il am back again. like a bad penny
he said, coming to her side and raising
her hand to his lips.
Has anything happened?" she
said, glancing up at him and allowing
her hand to remain in his. Had he
not, indeed, right to hold It?
mo. nothing!" he said. But know
ing that you were at home, | could not
keep away. | should have gone to the
theater II you had ben there! I an
never happy unless | have you in my
sight"
Poor theater!" she said, with 4
sigh
Yes but the papers regret for the
fire seems to be principally because Il
removes Miss Ida Trevelyan from tn,
public gaze for awhile"
ENtiy Douy II 100 BOOu anu KIM &c
me- said Joan.
Eyes, he said: because they seen
TO think that Miss Trevelyan is theil
own special property; whereas she is
mine. is she not?" he said, bending
over her tenderly
Joan did not reply.
Sometimes" he went on. In a low
voice which he knew so well how to
make musical sometimes | feel in
clined to be jealous of the many. head
cd public, and to feel that II had a
sword big enough | should like to Stay
ie Last night. tor instance, | left the
theater because | could not bear the
thought that so many hundreds of peo-
pie had the right. by paying for 1t. to
look upon you and regard you as their
servant"
Joan still remained silent.
Il don't think you can know, or can
feel what | suffer sometimes on that
score my darling" he went on. "If
you did, think-for know your ten.
der heart so well,-that you would
listen to what have come to say!''
What have you come to say" she
asked in low voice. an inward SILVER
running through her
What | have scarcely courage
enough to put into words, dearest" he
replied
As he spoke he put his hand to his
breast, against which the will lay
burning him. as II seemed, so intensely
conscious was he of its presence.
Don't be angry. Ida" he murmured.
Bear with me, as If | were a Jealous
boy II you like. but try to realize what
Jealous boy must feel who sees the
cirl he loves standing before a gaping
crowd every night sharing with Them
what he feels ought to belong only to
him. her beauty and the nameless
charm Of her presence. Ida, dearest.
you know love your"
Yes murmured Joan. almost in.
audibly.
VI love you as dearly as a man can
love. | am never happy unless I yan
see ana hear you. There is not an
hour of the day in which do not
thihk OF you. All, il YOU only loved
me half as well as love YOU" and he
sighed
Il know know how good ana true
you are" said Joan, family. Il wish
| wish"
That you could love me rs / de.
serve you were going to say" he said
"Ah, don't wish that, or you would love
me so little--my deserts are so small,
They consist in loving you with all nv
heart and soul that is all"
There was a moments silence
Joan sat looking at the fire. feeling
as the bird feels who finds itself
ceught in the fow!ers net and sees its
captor's hand approaching to grasp it.
And now for ray request. for It is n
request, dearest he murmured, ida.
want you to take pity on met"
Pity" she faultered.
''Yes. PITY" he said; ''for at present
am miserable. shall always be
until you grant my request. Ida.
dearest, | want you to be really mine