The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1905-09-29
be. Why are you so changed to mer
What have ] done?"

be. Why are you SO changed 10 mel
What have ! done?"
"You know best"
"You distrust me?"
"Have | ever told you so?"
mo; but feel it. No one else dis
trusts me, Constance. All treat me-
kindly but you. What is the reasonE
Has any one come between u.s."
"Who could come between u.s."
az don't know, Constance" he said,
rapidly, coming to her side and clasp
ing her cold hand in his. II think L
understand you. went away and did
not return when you expected me.
You thought something had happened
to me-that was dead, perhaps. You
mourned for me truly. Then | came
back. 1t was like one coming from
the dead to claim you. You thought
you could not resurrect your dead
love and cause it to blossom afresh-
Do not try, Constance-do not try any
more"
She looked at him wonderingly:
Let us begin afresh. Let us be-
married again, put the past behind US
and be happy"
"Why put the past behind u.s."
Because it will be best. You can
never love me again if you try to
recall your old affection. Let us be-
gin anew, be married again, secretly,
if you will, but throw off the old bond
and begin a new life with all the
shadow of past distrust and suffering
left behind u.s. Will you, Constance,
will your"
His voice was low and pleading, his
hand still clasping hers. But she drew
it away.
"You talk absurdly," she said. "As
if old married people could not do
better than cover themselves with
ridicule by a second wedding! Say
no more. distrust you. l feel that
there is something false about you-
| have from the first"
do you doubt my love for you?"
mot that, perhaps" she said, falterA
ing, for she could not doubt it, look
ing into his face so full of-love's emo
ton; "but l do not feel at ease in
your presence What of Lenora?" she.
asked, suddenly, wheeling about and
facing him again.
"Lenora," he feebly repeated.
Eyes, Lenora."
There is no Lenora."
SIS she dead?"
"She may be, for aught know Con-
stance, as heaven is my witness, She
is nothing to me. Your husband has
been true to you always, in word,
thought and deed. Look at yourself"
pointing to the mirror set between
two panels, and reaching from floor to
ceiling; "do you think | could ever
forget you for any other woman? Is
there any other half so beautiful or
good in the wide world? If there is. Z
never saw her."
If this passionate assertion moved
Constance in the least she did not
evince any emotion. She put up her,
hand, merely, as if to stay further
words, and said calmly, Il hear the
children. They have finished their
game, and it is time for Uncle Carter,
too
Clare and Perley entered, flushed
and rosy from their game.
"Such fun!" said Perley, as an echo
to the late game, unwilling to let the
sport drop.
"Oh, yes; why didn't you come out
papa?"
81 was talking with mamma, my
little Clare" said Mr. Hamilton, fond
ly stroking her curls.
She clasped his hand and held it. Il
love you, papa, almost better than
used to-"
You are the only one who does, my
darling. Is it really, truly, for my
self?" he asked her, as if yearning for
some acknowledgment
"Of course, it is. But" she con-
tinued, thoughtfully, you never hear
me say my prayers now"
would you like to have me? Il
thought it was to God you prayed"
Eyes; but l want you to pray, too.
in your heart, as you used to-"
Ito be continued)