Gunnison news-champion and tribune., 1905-07-07
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70 - bsssG trs sads thsa ever"
''bie' - yel are excessively candid.
10 he sure Uttered Harriet '-But"
shaking her black curls-~hars With
srs kRe~s Rea and human nature teS
well to believe quite all you say. We
must Rot forget. my dear madam
that neR we're deceivers ever"
You speak feeiiRgiy." said Edward
earciessly follow ing Constance with his
eye, as she moved silently toward her
the lady of nay iove-shoald the gods
ever beste~ one upon me-aet to sip OF
the bitter waters of yeur Wisdom"
Had he seen the glitter Of the round.
black orbs that pursued his retiring
figure. he might have made more
thoughtful exit his run down the stairs
been less s~ lift. the air he hummed as
he went. less gay.
He had pleasant drive. Cons, anoe
an hour OF mingled sweet and bitter
ness. II was difhcult to bear her part
In the apparent renewal of the familiar
intercourse of other days. without re-
laxing the severe guard she had set
upon herself from the moment she dis
covered the true nature Of the senti-
nent sac entertained for her husbands 9
brother She could not help delight
iEg in his society, in the manifold
proofs Of loving concern for her com
recipient. Yet. underlying this secret
and feeting joy, was the ever-present
shame that marked her remembrance
Of her guilty weakness and the AssDAir-
ing knowledge that remerse. duty and
resolve had thus far availed nothing
to conquer it,
She looked jaded rather than refresh
ed upon her return, although she had
curtailed the ride in opposition to Ed
wards advice. Wild, rebelliOus
thoughts fought for mastery within her
all the while she was with him. the
promptings Of an insane familiarity she
could not cast out III had met hin
two years ago instead Of his brother,
and he had wooed me. the love which
Is now my disGrace would have been
my glory" she was tempted to repeat.
again and again. Yet my fitness to
receive his affection and my need Of
him are the same to-day as they were
then. Is he the less my companion
soul, the mate God meant for me, be-
cause led by others counsels, blum
dered into q loveless connection with
another. Which is the criminal bond
that ordained by my Maker. or the COM
pact which has had no blessing save
the approval of cold-hearted and mer-
cenary mortals? Outwardly we must
remain as we are; but who is defrauded
II | dream of what might have been? If
l love him for what he Is in himself.
not for what he is to me?"
Then. shaking of the spell, she would
loathe herself for the vile suggestions,
and pray, in a blind. heathenish way,
to Him who had sent her pain, to sus-
tain her under it. to keep her from
falling into the fouler mire Of open de-
fiance of her husbands claims upon
her realty in word and act, to hold
her fast to the semblance of right and
honor
Parting from Edward at the outer
entrance with q brief phrase OF thanks
for his kindness in accompanying her,
she ran up to her husbands room and
opened the door without knocking. A
gentleman. whom she recognized as a
prominent city lawyer, stood by the
lounge with paper in his hand. Two
young men, apparently clerks, were
withdrawn little into the background
and a table bearing writing materials
was between them and the others.
you acknowledge this instrument TO
he your latest will and testament. and
in token thereof, have set hereto your
signature and seal%' the lawyer was
saying as the door swung noiselessly
ajar, and Constance stopped, unable TO
advance or retreat.
Mr.. Withers glanced around when he
had given his assent. Come in. mv
dear" he said. quietly. I'VE shall soon
be through this little matter