The Opelousas courier., 1905-04-08

uels handsome. Manly lover, ramt
upon the Gene, KidN ran off to spend
her her eve evening with II Brown, who had
Poor chap" though Kitty commits
eratingly, as she saw tie hopeful love,
light i'll his eyes as he rested his gaze
upon all he loved in the world, you'll
be sent away tonight, / know; I'm
awfully sorry for you, but, after al, il
can't be helped. What is love, any:
way, when it means everlasting prov
erty? She'll forget all about it when
she is Mrs. Johnson. Why, it'll be just
like fairyland after thisr,'
And pretty Kitty, worldly because
she had never felt the fire of love, went
of to Ada Brown.
And those two? They remained TO-
gether. with all they both loved, in that
small room.
She had kept him hoping Oh for
weeks, trying to decide the bitter
struggle that ragged in her breast.
Now that it was all over, she knew
her course, and he was to hear it to-
night.
How she told him she knew not; a
dull clutching held her heart, and she
was conscious only of those words
which would keep them apart for ever
more.
AS through a curtain that seemed to
hide from her the fearful wrong she
wrought, she saw his face become
deadly pale, and his eyes darken with
a strange despair.
And this is the endr' he said, In a
low, hoarse voice that sought her heart,
and stilled it, this is the end 1 dreaded!
These are the last of those enchanted
dreams that kept me for you, and you
for me-crushed beneath the feet Of
the woman I ~worshiped, the woman l
loved with all my heart and soul.
better than life itself-ruined and scat
tered by you-"
Don't, Rudolf, don't reproach me-"
she sobbed.
Il don't reproach you, Mabel; why
should I? According to the world, you
Gone wisely. You have chosen
what is worthy of beauty such as
yours-and what matters it that you
walked over one mans bleeding
heart to gain it,"
His answer was her sobbing and her
quivering frame: and he rose.
Gould she lose him like that?
"Ru lolf," she said, "it is for Kitty's
sake-not mine-don't, oh, don't judge
me harshly."
"For her sake. What of mine:" he
with a hard, cold laugh-and he
gone.
The next day the millionaire's be-
ring, a magnificent circlet Of
and rubies, glistening on Ma
bels- lovely hand. and. urged by her
and Kitty, she consented to an
wedding.
Mr.. Johnson was a constant visitor
the little fiat, and Kitty. whom lie
as a petted sister, was never
of expatiating at great lengths on
his charms to Mabel. She thought he
was absolutely the most delightful
man she had ever met, and how stupid
t was of Mabel not TO fall in love with |
liE:
Mabel smiled when she listened to
.hese extravagant comments, aud, ex-
,ept when alone, contrived to keep her
face SO bright and so radiant, that it
was little wonder Kitty only Ealf
guessed what a sacrifice Mabel was
making.
The Gays rolled OH, II it vas just a
week before tie day appointed for the
Wedding. that Mabel. while on a shop
oiIg tour. came upon an old friend Of
Ter schooldays.
And do YOU know. Mabel" she said
1t parting, that Rudolf Turner is seri-
ill with brain fever. They tell
it is some love trouble. Poor
I hope he gets over it."
All that evening and the next morn
ng Mabel was lost in her own dismal
thoughts. 1t was late in the afternoon
she suddenly sprang up, and,
white and r~esolute. flung away her
the light Of passion firing her
yes.
kitty. / can't and won't stand it an
lour longer" she cried: Rudolf Tur-
Ter is perhaps dying, and he is mine.
am going to him.
Mabel said Kitty, are you mad?'
Il have been, but I'm an. once
more! Ny heart is Rudolf's, and he
lone shall have it,.
She wrenciIed away her betrothal
ing, and threw it into her sisters lap.
..There!m she said; give it back to
IL. Johnson. if he comes, and tell him
he marriage is not to be"
And, before Kitty could find words,
he was alone.
Long after. wiea Mabel returned,
Ier face held such exquisite happiness
bat Kitty started up in wender.
.Oh. Mabel, how happy you look: /
you ere now
Yes, dear, / an happy, and so is Ru-
off; and he will get well, ard then
But she bethought herself OF what
lie left behind and her face flushed
rith pain.
did he come? Poor boy
don't be sorry. Nab" returned
sitIy, very demurely, and With j