Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-07
RANDALL PARRISH

most into full confession. but fortunately
my eyes Glanced to fall upon her wedding
ring, and instantly l crushed the mad words
back into my throat.
Because 1t is right I replied SLOWLY
deeiing each sentence as a death blow.
ror me TO remain can mean only one
lung. FOR that 1 am ready enough. If
tnought you desired 1t. but / dare not
choose such course myself"
thing?"
"A personal meeting with Major Bren.
man,"
The high color deserted her cheeks. and
her eyes met mine in sudden inquiry. "Oh,
no, no.! she exclaimed with energy ''Yol,
and Frank must never meet in that wax
You mean duel?'
bowed gravely. IT can assure you l
earnestly desire to avoid it for your sake,
but am aware of no possibility Of escape
except through my immediate departure
Ihere has been no challenge them
Not formally, Yet almost an equivalent
l was permitted to aid in defense OF this
ncuse only by pledging myself to Major
Brennan afterward"
But why need 1t beat least now that
you have stood together as comrades?"
Il fear" 1 said. quietly. that fact will
not count for much. We both fought i'm
spired by your presence"
her tone "
Certainly; you cannot be ignorant that
MAJOR Brennan's dislike is based upon your
friendship for me-"
But there is no reason" she stammered
He has no CAUSE
His reason 1 must leave him to explain"
l interrupted, to relieve her evident EN-
barrassment. His words however were
extremely explicit; and to ignore them by
departure Is to imperl my own reputation
IN both armies. would do SO for no one
else In the world but you"
Her reception of this almost open ayowal
surprised me. For instant she remain
ed motionless her eyes lowered upon the
carpet, a flush on either cheek; then they
frayt III a
both hands
How can eyer thank your" she asked
gravely. Captain Wayne, you make mo
trust you utterly, and place me constantly
in your debt
Her words and manner combined to make
me realize the depth Of her feeling. But
what did they really betoken? Was ir
merely thankfulness at her husbands
escape from peril, personal devotion
toward myself? I could not determine but
might only venture to believe the first more
probable.
Then you realize that am right?'
Yes" slowly. but making no effort to
release her hands. Yet is no other escape
possible?"
None within my knowledge"
And you must go?"
Il must countless you bid me stay"
ooh. cannot; cannot at such a costrs
she cried. and 1 could feel her body tremble
with the intensity of her emotion. But,
Cept. Wayne, our friendship surely need
not be severed now forever? / cannot bear
heartless migrate, and shall never forget
what you have done to serve me. / value
every sacrifice you have made my be-
half. Let us indeed part now If, as you
say it must be so; yet surely there are
happier days in store for both of us-days
when the men OF this nation will not wear
different uniforms and deem it manly to
fight and kill each other"
1.-The great struggle will certainly cease,
possibly within a very few weeks" ! an.
swered, greatly moved by her earnestness.
but 1 fear the men engaged in it Will
remain much the same in their natures
however they may dress. I can only say
this: Were the path clear I would surely
find you, no matter where you were hide
den.''
She bowed her head against the post OF
the stair rail and sobbed silently. I stood
without speaking, knowing nothing I could
hope to say which would In the least COM
fort her, for In my own heart abode the
same dull despair. At last she looked up,
making not the slightest attempt to dis
guise her emotion.
How terrible it Is that a woman must
ever choose between such evils" she said
almost bitterly. 1.-The heart says one thing
and duty another all through life it seems
to me: l have seen SO much of suffering III
these last few months, SO much of heartess
cruelty, that 1 cannot bear to be the cause
of any more. You and Major Brennan must
not meet; but, Captain Wayne, 1 will not
believe that we are to part thus for ever
DO you mean that I am to seek you
when the war closest"
There will be no time when shall not
mostly gladly welcome you"
Your homer / asked wondering still IL
she could mean all that her words implied.
Il have never known where you resided III
the north"
"Stonington, Connecticut" She smiled al
me through the tears yet cinging to hef
long lashes. You may never come of
course, yet I shall always feel now that
perhaps you will; and that Is. not like d
final goodbye, is It?'
bowed above the handSI held and press-
ed my lips upon them. For the moment /
burst not speak, and then-a voice sud-
denly sounded in the hall below:
II am greatly obliged to you, Miss Minor:
she is probably lying down. will run up
We started IL rudely awakened from
dream, while a sudden expression of
fright swept across her face.
on, do not meet him." she begged pite,
ously. For my sake do not remain here"
L will go down the back stairway" L re,
turned hastily, "but do you indeed mean
1t! may 1 come to your
Yes. yes; but pray go nowr'
Unable longer to restrain myself CLASP.
ed her to me- held her for one brief instant
strained to my breast kissed her twice upon
lips which had no opportunity for refusal.
This world is not SO wide but that sorne-
where in 1t l shall again find the one wo,
man Of my heart 1 whispered passionateIy,
and was gone.
(To be continued tomorrow)