Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-01-02
Continued.

Continued.
She made a gesture of assent with
her hand.
Dear Lady Bell" he continued
during the last few months have
been looking back to those happy days
we spent together; and when a mans
down with the fever he looks. back
with keen and wise insight into the
turn of things, and knows when he was
happy in the past, and with whom !;
and 1 swore that, if everlI pulled
through and got back. would ask you
il you did not think we might be as
happy in the future as in the past.
Lear Bell. I would try and make you
happy Will you be my wife," go
Trembling in every limb, she sat
silent, and with averted face. Then,
suddenly and yet slowly, she turned
her eyes upon him-eyes full of inef-
fable love and sadness.
Slowly, softly, she put her other
hand in his. and smiled at him. n II
you ask me. to be your wife, Jack %
81 do" he said. Your answer, dear
Bell?"
''Is-No.'' she said. s. e
Jack started, and his eyes fell before
tie deep love and tenderness in hers.
He would have drawn his hand away,
but she still held it gently
do you ask me why, Jack? will
tell you. tits because you do not love
me-" q
He looked up with a start, and turn.
ed pale. Il
Lady Bell shook her head gently.
do not speak4it is. useless. Be
sides, you would not tell me lie, Jack.
Listen; I, too, have been looking back;
/. too have learned lessor--a truth
while you have been away. And that
truth is, that others may love as truly
and deeply as myself; and that others
may find it as impossible to forget
THE past is buried" he said. hoarse-
ly- 'let it rest" e
ut is not buried-it cannot be. See!
it revives- springs up, even without
the mention of her name. Jack, you
do not love me-you cannot; for all
your love has been given, is still given,
to Una" HtsH
For Heavens sake!" he implored,
rising and pacing the room.
Lady Bell looked at him.
All, how you love her still, Jack!
see how right I was; . and yet you
would come to me- " 47'.s =
And the tears fall slowly. .
Forgive me-, said Jack, bending
over her humbly, imploringly for,
give me! You-you are right. But
l swear / thought it was over for me.
You knew me better than | knew my
SELF
YES, for a good reason, Jack" she
murmured; for ! love you .
Jack WINGED.
II have been alb rute!" he murmured
"No,s Jack" she said-and she put
her hand on his arm and looked up at
him with a smile-"you meant well and
honestly. You did not know how it
stood with you. could not have loved
you SO well if you had been false-if
you had forgotten her. - have been
thinking trout, Jack; and know now
that to love. once-as YOU and love
is to love forever"
|'But7it isapast," he said, utterly, ir-
revoca bly, past You do not know the
barrier that stands immovably between
her and me-" %
do not?" she murmured, inaudib-
~ "Be it what it will, your love and
hers stand firm. on. either side of it.
But no More of that, Jack. | am glad
you have come. to rne--yery, very glad.
And though canont be. your wife,
Jack" with what tenderness and sad
ess those two words were breathed-
Il can be your friend Iwant you to
promise me something's s nvgD l
Jack pressed her hand. lie could not
trust himself to speak.
II want you to promise That you will
not go away again. that you will not
lcave London whatever Il happens
mind, whatever happens without let
ting me know! I may ask that much,
Jack?"
"You may ask anything, he said,
huskily; 81 will do anything you ask
of me simply anything"
81 think you would" she said. ''Then
have your promise? And, Jack this
must make no difference between U.S.
you will come and see me % ~ - -.
Il do not deserve. to come within a
mile of you"
She smiled.
And so punish me for not saying
YES" she said, with little attempt al
archness. 'sThat would be hard fol
me. Jack. 1 should lose lover ant
friend as WeIL'sR g go ~