Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1904-07-07

'Well-no, not-you see, she had
husband living somewhere and she
had not yet secured"
A low moan from Philomene caused
a spasm of pain to cross The Mans
face. He hesitated and then went on.
But 1 intended to marry her just
as soon as 1 could do so. Then one
day, some kind friend-I never knew
who, but 1 have blessed him ever
since-told her that l had reached the
end of my fortune; that 1 was prac-
tically a beggar. When she came to
me and asked me if the report was
true the mist cleared from my eyes,
and I saw her as she really was. To
get rid of her was my only thought,
and so 1 did not deny the rumor, but
allowed her to think that it was true.
Later when she found out that she
had been duped, she was furious at
the loss of her prey, and she swore
she would some day get even with
me. Fearful of what she might do,
l sent a friend to her with instructions
to buy from her my letters. She sold
them to him for an enormous price;
but it seems that she kept few OF
them. She has sent them to you
and-well-and that is all"
Philomene looked at The Mans
haggard face and a sweet pity stole
over her own. Then she slipped quiet
ly around behind him and put her
arms around his neck and pressed
her face close to his cheek.
Dearest" she said; Il had thought,
in the way all women love to think,
that I was the One Woman. But it
was foolish of me to think you any
less human than other men-and
women" she added after a little
pause Il know that 1t was only a
mad infatuation that carried you off
your feet-and 1 know now it is all
thing of the past. 1 love you and
forgive you, as 1 know you would
forgive me, were you in my place and
l in yours"
MY darling!" cried The Man, and
he turned and took her in his arms.
Would you, dear?" whispered Phil
omene.
How could 1 help it2" said The
Man, pressing his lips against her
soft cheek.
Anything? Are you sure; are you
very, very sure?" and her sweet gray
eyes looked searchingly into his own.
81 am very sure;" The Man said
simply.
Then sit down in this chair; have
something to tell you," said Philo-
meme. The Man obeyed wonderingly.
Philomene stood behind were he
could not see her, and said, very
slowly and hesitatingly:
I'm Italy, three years ago, l was
the mistress of the Count d'Orsay."
The Man stopped breathing! his
face grew horrible ashen gray, and
his lips lost every trace of color.
81 can't believe it," he gasped.
Il swear to you that it is true"
said Philomene solemnly.
And it was true. For the Count
d'Orsay was my father, and it was
while Philomene was in Italy that he
was given to her.
The Man sat for a long time with
his face hidden in his hands, but he
did not speak. At last Philomene said,
ever so gently and sorrowfully:
Now you know, dearest, how great
my love is for you. True love is al
ways forgiving. Is your love for me
as great as mine for you? l loved the
Count d'Orsay"-The Man shuddered
with a purer, truer love than ever
you bestowed on Helen Burnett.
Surely that ought to- count in my
favor. And some day, dearest, when
you have forgiven me fully, 1 will ex-
plain it all, and you will be glad that
you loved me so well, loved me
enough to forgive me, as l have for
given you."
But The Man only sobbed and MUIR
INJURED: It's so different, SO differ
ent."
mo, no, dear, it only seems differ