Barbour County index., 1904-08-10
said huskily. and went before hts res

said huskily. and went before hfs res
olution failed.
He had ample time to realize what
a hard task he had before him during
the journey. TIe realized it more keen
ly when he arrived.
1t was pitiful to see the glad light
come into the heavy blue eyes, when
he bent over the poor little mite of
suffering, at last, and whispered, with
pity enough, but not an atom of love
in his heart:
Don't worry, dear. 1t is all right
it shall be all right again, shall it not,
Alice?"
Yes the white lips framed faint
ly. He slipped the tiny ring once
more on her finger, and thought as he
did so of the one on Helens finger.
Alan! dear-it is so good to see
you again." she smiled up at him like
tired child A blissful sigh futtered
from between the pretty lips and she
fell asleep
He saved her life, of course" every
body agreed with the physician.
How romantic" murmured some
How happy they both ought to be-"
said others
Doubtless they are, in spite of her
accident-really the accident was the
means of reuniting them,' thee said.
But there was no happiness in it for
him. AS each day involved him deeper
in the web of deceit, he grew miserably
unhappy and hollow-eyed. Night after
night he paced his room, sleepIess, re-
volving plans for eXrricating himself
as soon as she grew a little stronger
to keep up the good work he had be-
gun. He spent hours with her daily,
smiling, talking, listening to her fond,
weak voice as she bantered him play
fully on his wretched looks.
You are dear, silly, boy, to worry
yourself thin over me now, when am
sure of getting well,' she would say,
and then to take his thoughts from
her, she would insist upon his telling
her of his life out west.
She grew better daily, and seemed
perfectly happy in his presence He
| never fiinched from the daily ordeal;
but he resolved desperately that just
as soon as she was strong enough to
bear it, he would end it all. She should
| know the whole truth about Helen,
| even as Helen knew it about her Hell
ems love had stood the test, and clung
to him in spite of all. What if Alice
| did the same? There was the anxiety
that was wearing him out. If he could
but make her understand how COM
pletely dead his love for her was; how
he really doubted now if it had ever
| existed; if she would see how COM
pletely they had changed places, sure
| ly she would set him free without
making scene. If not
| And while he was worrying over the
situation, an odd struggle was going on
in Alice's perverse little heart, under
| all the childish patter of talk and teas
ing. One day it proved too much for
! her slender resolution. She took him
off to quiet corner of the garden,
down the walk where they had parted,
| and there she confessed
Il did long for you, the comfort your
return and presence brought undoubt-
| edly did save my life. And now 1 can
only repay you with ingratitude. The
old doubts and dislikes are creeping
back, stronger every day. I've tried
very hard to be nice to you, l did not
want to break your heart a second
time. But it is no use, Alan And /
can't marry you now, any more than l
could then.,'
The pretty face was full of trouble
and sincere pity for him. She was full
ly recovered. He had intended to have
an understanding with her in day or
two. And now
Well, he told her the truth, as he
had meant to do. On first impulse
because he thought she deserved it
for all the trouble she had caused him.
On second. because he wanted her to
share his satisfaction in the outcome
He hardly thought it would be fair to
so away and leave her under the i'm
preston that his heart really was
broken over again.
They both had enough sense of the
humor Of the situation to laugh Then
he took the first train west-N. o.
Times Democrat