Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-01-07
ESESBEkssER7
b. OaAarlD 0AxvIcn
Continued.

No" he answered; Il cannot watt
came-well, yes to see you! / came
to say good-by."
"Good-by?" she repeated, in a low
voice. You are going away?" scarce
ly knowing what she said.
EYES," he assented. Il am going
away! think l want a change!
haze been getting rather out of sorts
lately-not quite my usual form-and
/ have no doubt change will set me
up."
II am verD sorry that you are not
we'll" she said; land where are you
going?"
Il scarcely know" he answered list
iessly Abroad somewhere! Where,
doesn't 80 much matter! / shall think
of you often-always; and will watch
the papers closely. You will make a
great success and your name will be
in everybody's mouth, but 1t will be
in my mind always"
81 am very grateful to you" said
Joan.
"Ah don't use that word" he said,
be no such word as gratitude between
you and me. Ida" He stopped.
But no, will not offend you at this
our parting. Heaven knows how
long It may be before we meet again!
Good by"
He held out his hand and took hers.
II was cold as death.
h,.
shall tell you the truth, and why
am golng?"
She did not answer, and he went
on In low, hurried, pleading voice:
yes, will tell you am going
because | can bear 1t no longer. |
thought | was strong enough to see you
night after night and stifle my love
as | had promised, but l found that
promise too hard, | find my love too
powerful Ida, II has absorbed all my
being. and / feel that II | see you
must speak. | will leave you for a
time. | will go away until | can re-
gain my self.control. When | have
got back that, | will return. and We
will be as of old-fast. true friends
And his voice broke "if some
other man, worthier, better than
am, comes and wins you, let me know
/ could bear IT, | could bear anything
tNat brought you happiness, even
though II separated us forever"
His voice grew Infinitely low and
tender, and he placed both hands up
on her.
"Good-by. and Heaven bless you
Ida" He took up his hat and half
turned.
Joan struggled against something
that rose in her bosom, then stretched
out her hand.
Watt" she breathed. DO not go,"
"Do-not-go!" he repeated, scarcely
above a whisper. What is it you
say, Ida? All. be careful; don't raise
wild hope in mel"
do not go" she repeated, moisten-
ing her lips and trembling in every
limb.
ida, oh, be mercifull If | stay 1t
must be because you bid me hope. Is
that so?"
She looked at him steadily, though
her lips and hands trembled like a
leaf.
II have been thinking" she said,
slowly, like one in a dream. "and-
and"
And you consent. you give your.
self to me?" he said, with pant. and
he drew nearer to her.
She hold up her hand.
"Stop: listen to me-" she said.
heavily; 'let me tell you, all, You
have asked me for my-my love- I
told you then could not give II to
you. | cannot, have no love left to
give, If had had 1t would have
been yours. But | have not. My
heart Is dead, dead. dead" and her
voice broke into wall "But If you
are content--if you will have it So"
81 am content" he broke in, pas
sionately II care nothing for the
past Let it go! The present, the
future, at least, are mine Give your.
self to me, Ida, and l will make your
life happy, If man can make wo-
mans life happy! oh. my darling,
give yourself To mel
He drew nearer. he went on his
knees to her, He was not acting
now. Passion held him in thrall, and
he scarcely knew what he was doing
Joan extended her hand slowly, hes
itatingly. He seized II in both of his
and kissed il passionately.
MY darling" he murmured. broken
ly, you shall never regret this
Never, IL am all unworthy. but ]
will make you happy. Yes, l swear
IT,"
He rose, and would have taken her
in his arms, but Joan shrank from
him.
mot yet" she murmured, mot yet
1T seems all too good to be true,
he faltered. "You-you are not play
ing with me, Ida. Say, after me
'Mordaunt, will be your wife,"
"Mordaunt. will be your wife,'
but she shrank back again when he
would have embraced her. NO, no
nor nnwf 10 MOUTH