The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-12-22

God that you 10 love me, and that you
have told me so. 1t will be comfort to
me in the years to come"
He paused for a moment. then added,
almost vehemently:
But why can't you be reasonable,
Ann, and make us both happy? You
have suffered enough. You owe it to
yourself to get some good out Of life"
Il know" she replied, YEARLY.
Then why not do it? Twill devote my
whole life to you. You shall never want
for anything. You shall never suffer for
one moment if can help it."
She slowly shook her head, and more
slowly answered.:
mo, John; it can never be-"
He drew long sigh.
Then nothing 1 can dc" he said. will
change your"
Nothing" she answered, unless you
can prove that am free"
81 cannot do that" he replied.
Then we must part. 1t will be best
for both. Perhaps in time you may meet
another who can make you forget"
And your"
II shall always be what am now"
"All your life you will suffer for the
sake of one who"
mo; for the sake of my conscience"
He looked at her long time in silence,
then he said, slowly and sadly:
ut is hard to give you up, Ann, but
suppose must. To deny love is almost
as cruel as death. Good-by."
He extended his hand and she placed
hers in it. He looked at her inquiringly,
and she understood. Blushing scarlet
she lifted her face, and in a moment he
had kissed her.
The man behind the bushes chuckled
again.
THAT ought to be worth thousand
dollars" he thought. "He loves her and
he'll pay it to save her good name"
John turned away and walked out of
the park. AS he passed the clump of
bushes the man hiding there caught a
sight of his face. 1t was the first time he
had seen it. The wretch sank back with
little smothered cry, and his hand went
to his heart.
"My Cod" he thought; "it is him
the best friend ever had! The man who
almost sacrificed his own life to save
mine!"
Ann watched John until he passed out
of sight, then she sank down to the
ground and poured her grief out in tears.
ooh, my dear love!" she moaned. 81
have lost you, and shall never be happy
again. Never, never. in this world"
1t was sadly pathetic, and it touched
the man behind the bushes.
After awhile she arose and stood
looking about her. 1t was far into the
night, and all around there was silence.
Presently, in low voice, she cried:
1T is cruelty hard that should have
to make this great sacrifice for one who
does not care when I have sacrificed so
much for him already. But must do it,
though my heart breaks, for if he still
lives, he is my husband, and once loved
him"
She walked away, and when she was
at safe distance the man behind the
bushes stirred and drew a long breath.
Then he got upon his feet and stood a
long time in thoughtful attitude.
And once loved him!" he slowly re-
peated, finally breaking the silence. "It
is true. She did love me, but killed that
love. I was drunk, always drunk, and
God alone knows what 1 made her suf-
fer!"
He was silent again for little while
after which he added: "And he saved
my worthless life once when he knew
that stood between him and her. He is
q good man, and she is a good woman,
and they deserve to be happy. And they
would be but for me. But-for-me!"
He hesitated little longer, then
he turned from the park and went slowly
off down quiet, dark street. On one
side of the town there was river, and
his steps led in that direction.
"He was the best friend l ever had
he said to himself, sadly, "and she-God
knows did love her-that love her yet
with all my heart and soul. But am
so weak, so weak! If had only been a
man with mans strength
He walked block or two then he broke
into little mirthless laugh.
81 came to demand money of her" he
thought, land now-well this is better
1t will be one manly thing 1 have done,
anyway. It will be sacrifice for him
and her-for friendship and love. It is
not much for me to give, but it means
much for them. 1t is best"
The next day his body was found in
the river. People said there had been an
accident-that drunken wretch had
fallen into the water and drowned-and
Ann and John believed it. They never
suspected that that man could be capable
Of SO great sacrifice. 1t was we'll they
did not.