The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1906-10-19


promised, but that's how it will enc
Last night had letter, a home letter
You know we're desperately poor ric,
folk, which is much worse than bein:
poor outright. Mother has heard how
things are. That made her tell me
things-things l had never guessed-o
debts, privations, humiliatiOns she haS
endured TO make me what am, some
thing to retrieve our fortunes. Mr.
Fleming has written asking her leave
to court me. She gave it, of course, in
her own dignified, diplomatic way
am free to choose. If l choose to take
him the choice will meet her approval
Oh. know it all by heart
Il know by heart you are not going
to do it. You can't" Alwyn broke in
his face gray and lined. Lolita looked
away from him, shaking her head.
But after minute she sprang up, say
ing, with a laugh that was half a
sob: Come, 1 want one more walk
down past the dovecot And while
we walk we won't talk or think OF
things
wynn said, taking her hand. Bat some
how it proved easier to say than to CO
it. BY the time they came opposite
the dovecot Flemings name had been
many times on their lips
The dOvec0t was 4 detached cot
tage set thickly about with trees and
Towering shrubs and so stoutly hedged
ne nv lint eli, ,f@ Al,
terror. The house was smothered il
vines, and either upon the piazza or in
q small sunny lawn space upon clear
days there appeared Il wheel chair with
g helpless man in it and Il woman
slight and fraiI. lowering about him
Today she was invisible, although the
chair stood in its usual place. Sight
OF if, thus deSolate, somehow hushed
the pair who walked outside A feel
ing Of something imminent fell upon
them. 1t was hardly surprise to find
the woman herself standing with the
gate half open or to have her beckOn
them inside.
Il heard what you were Saying-yOu
two-I could not help it-there in the
then, her eyes fast OH Lolita's face,
And | had to call you in-because-
because l am Gordon Flemng's wife
and couldn't see you. so young, so
fresh. make bitter mistakc."
Ills wife" Alwyn echoed. with star
ing eyes. why, his wife has been at
the bottom of the sea this long, long
time
so he believes;s $50 he must always
believe the woman said hushedly,
with backward glance at the Sleep
ing occupant of the chair. Il should
be there if l had gone on that ship, but
l didn't sail; was not strong enough.
Listen. | married without love, and /
did love somebody else, yet that was
not what made the break l never saw
the man l loved until it was all over
with MY husband. Gordon is a good
man, but we did not suit He is u
yielding. If you do not bend to him
you must break. And | was impa-
tient and quick spoken and young aad
unhappy. lie could not understand my
unhappineSs When he had given me so
liberty 10 enjoy it in my own way If
l had not left him | should have killed
myself That might have been better,
yet l can't be sorry when l look
there
AS she spoke she waved her hand
toward The sleeper. lie would have
nothing, nobody, if | had died" she
murmurcd her voice breaking from it's
tense hardness. Il was going away to
escape him. Then at the very last I
heard tilat he had been so hurt he
would never walk again. l went to
him ut once. l have been with him
ever since. The ship went down 1t
seemed the only kindness, the best re-
turn | could make Gordon, to let him
think WAS among the lost / should
never have spoken to any one in any
other case. Don't, don't" laying a
light and withered hand timidly on
Lclita's arm, LET anything make you
go against your heart. There are WO-
men made to be bartered. You are not
of them. Believe me, l am happier
here-nurse, drudge, sole stay of a
human wreck-than was or would be
the mistress of millions with dead
heart in my breast
Alwyn barred his head Lolita drew
the wasted face to her breast and held
it there while her tears rained down
upon it. How can l thank you for
saving me-" she whispered at last
The woman gently loosed herself
from the girls clasp and pointed to-
ward the gate. Go and forget that
you came in and all things save one"
she said. But remember love is
enough and only lover
The Gray Parrot.