The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-03-15
cHAPTER vIlI.-fcontInued.l

Without pause. without an erasure,
this letter had transcribed itself from
Cornelia's heart to the sn gilt-edged
note paper, but she foun. 1t much
more difficult thing to answer the re-
quest of Rem Van Arlens. She was
hurt and agitated and withal little
sorry for Rem. and she was also In a
hurry, for the letter for Joris was
waiting. as she wished TO send both
by the same messenger. Finally she
wrote the following words. not notic-
ing at the time. but remembering
afterwards what singular soul re-
luctance she experienced; how some
uncertain presentiment. vague and
dark and drear, stihed her thoughts
and tried to make her understand, or
at least pause:
MY Dear aad Honored Friend:
Your letter has given me very
great sorrow. You must have known
Tor many weeks, even months, that
marriage between us was impossible
II has always been so, II always viii
be SO. grIeve at your going away; |
pay that your absence may bring you
some consolation. DO not, beg you,
attempt to cali on my father. With
out explanations. | tell you very sin
cerely, such a call will cause me great
trouble. for you know well a girl
must trust somewhat to others judg-
ment IN her disposal Please TO con-
slider your letter as never written.
With a sad sense Of the pain my words
must cause you, / remain for all time
your faithful friend and obedient sery-
ant. Corneiia Moran.
Then she rang for lighted candle,
and while waiting for its arrival neatly
folded her letters. Her white wax and
seal were at hand, and she delayed
the servant until she had closed aud
addressed them.
"You win take Lieut.. Hyde's letter
first, she said Mr.. Van Ariens'
note you can deliver as you return"
As soon as this business was quite
out Of her hands, she sank with a
happy sigh into large comfortable
chair: let her arms drop gently, and
closed her eyes to think over what
she had done. She was quite salts.
fed. She was sure that no length Of
reflection could have made her decide
differently. She had Hydc's letter in
her bosom. and she pressed her hand |
against It. ana vowed to her heart
that he was worthy Of her love. and
that ne only should have T. oh,
there is nothing would alter In him,
even at the cost Of a wish. Joris.
Jo,4sa" and she let the dear name
sweeten her lips. while the light Of
love frightened and heightened her |
eyes. and spread over her lovely face
a blushing gov.
The tea tray was brought in at five
o'clock. but Or. Moran had not re-
turned. and there was in both WON
ems hearts a little sense Of disap-
polutment Mrs. Moran was wonder
ing at his unusual delay. Cornelia /
feared he would be too weary and
perhaps too much interested in other
matters 70 permit her lover 10 speak.
'But even So she thought, "Joris
can come again. Tonight is not the
only opportunity"
when the doctor came Cornelia was
so thoughtful for the weary mans
comfort. SO attentive and so amusing,
chat he found il easy TO respond to
the happy atmosphere surrounding
him. So an hour passed and Cornelia
began to listen for the sound Of
Hyde,s step upon the tagged walk.
With her work in her hand-maklng
laborlous stitches by a drawn thread
she sat listening with all her being.
Half-past eight She looked up and
caught her mothers eyes. and the
trouble and question in them, and
the needle going through the fine
muslin, seemed to go through her