The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1904-07-22

rili hlhhllfr ana Ntlt utloFc hlo vs.
olutiop failed
lie had ample time TO realize WHAT
a hard task he had before atm during
the journey He realized IL more keen
ly when he arrived
II Was p!f.ful % ser the glad light
come into the heavy blue eyes, when
ne bent over the poor little mite o.
suffering. AT las. aud whispered. with
pity enough. but not an atom OF love
In his heart:
Don't worry. dear. II is all right
II shall se all right again, shall II got.
ALICE"
Yes" the white lips framed faint
ly. lie slipped the tiny ring once
more on her finger. and thought as he
did SO Of the one on Helen's finger.
Alan, dear-it is so good to see
you again. she smiled mp at him Ike
a tired child. 4 blissful sigh fnttercd
from between the pretty lips and she
fell asleep.
lie saved her life. Of course" every
body agreed with the physician.
How romantic. murmured some.
"How happy they both ought 70 10.
said others.
Doubtless they are. in spite OF her
accident-rCally the accident was the
means Of reuniting them" they said.
But there was no happiness in II 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. sleepless, re-
vOlving plans for extricating himself
as soon as she grew a little stronger.
But day after day he was compelled
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 a dear. silly. boy. 10 worry
yourself thin over me now. when | am
sure Of getting well. she would say.
and then 20 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 ainched from the daily ordeal /;
but he resolved desperately that just
as soon as she was strong enough 70
bear il, he would end il all. She should
know the whole truth about Helen
even as Helen knew il about her. Hell
ems love had stood the test. and clung
70 him in spite OF all. What If Alice
did the same There was the anxiety
that was wearing him out. II he could
bur make her understand low COM
! pleteiy dead his love for her was; how
he really doubted now IL il had ever
existed. il she would see how com
pletly they had changed places, sure
" shs would set him free without
making a scene If not
And while he was worrying over the
situation. an odd struggle was going OF
in Alice's perverse little heart. undel
all the childish patter OF talk and teas
ing One day IL proved too much fol
her slender resolution. She took hin
on 70 a quiet corner OF the garden
down the walk where they had parted
and there she confessed.
Il did long for you. the comfort you
return and presence brought undoubt
eddy did save my life And no~ al
only repay You with ingratitude. Tn
old doubts and dislikes are creepini
back. stronger every day. I've trie'
very hard 10 be nice 10 you. did no
want to break your heart a secon'
time But il Is 10 use. Alan And
can't marry YOU now. any more than
could then"
The pretty face was full % troubl
and sincere pity for him. She was ful
ly recovered He had intended 10 hav
an understanding with her in day o
two. And now
Well. he told her the truth. as b
had meant TO do. On first impulse
because he thought she deserved
| for all the trouble she had caused hin
ON second. because he wanted her {
share his satigfaction in the outcome
He hai1Iy thought Il would be fair {
; 20 away and leave her under the i'm
preston that his heart really wa
, broken over again.
! They both had enough sense Of Ia
} humor OF the situation 10 laugh. The
he took the first train west--N. I
Times Democrat