Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-15

people who do not have headaches feel for those
who do. "Alice would not hear of my staying
at home," she went on; "she said there was
nothing | could do for her. but If you're not
to be there don't care about going"
For the space of several seconds the young
man stood musing with thoughtful face.
perhaps you'd better go" he said at last
'It hardly seems right for us both to stay away;
we planned the affair, you know. LII row up
this afternoon and come home with you"
And this was how it was arranged.
Half an hour later the picnic party started
up the river in launches, two servants following
in row boat with the lunch. Alice, who
watched their departure from behind closed
blinds, turned away from the window with a
puzzled face Mildred had not told her of Leon
ards changed plans.
At l o'clock she crept downstairs and ate
her luncheon in the solitary dining room.
She was looking pale, but her headache was
quite gone, she said in answer to the buffers
inquiry. While she was at the table she was
told that Mr.. Harvey was in the library and
had asked for her.
Alices face flushed and grew pale again. "Tell
him / am i'll and cannot anyone" she an
swered.
The maid left the room, but returned shortly.
"Mr. Leonard was sorry; he wouldn't keep Miss
Brown long, but wouldn't she please see him
for moment"
into the library Leonard closed the door after
her without speaking.
care you mad?" she asked quietly "Did you
forget that servants"
"I forgot everything but you," Leonard in
terrupted II could only remember that you
are to go away tomorrow and that L must
see YOU alone. | determined to stay away from
that picnic because to be near you, and yet SO
far away, has grown to be more than l can bear
When / learned that you were not going either
saw my chance and took it. But you need
not fear. / haven't come to try to persuade you
to go against your. conscience. All l ask is to
hold you in my arms just once, and near you
say L love you."
Alice stepped back, away from him. 'T shall
never say that" She spoke decidedly, and there
was reproach mingled with the sadness in her
voice.
The mans expression changed from eager en-.
treaty to anger. "How women cling to the let
ter of the law!" he exclaimed bitterly. "Well,
tell me that you don't love me then; I'll believe
you" His tone was mocking now.
Alice was silent.
| A look of happiness flashed into Leonard's face,
and vanished like CLEAN of sunshine in storm.
! '"You do love me-" he cried, although you will
not tell me Perhaps you are afraid my de
termination to do what is right will falter And
vet. is it right? That you feel no doubt know
by the course you have taken during these hor-
| rible weeks when we have had to avoid each
other without seeming to do so. And have hon
estlv tried to share your belief, but can't quite,
It's diaboical situation. I've come across
the same thing often in novels, and I've always
despised the man who could hold to so mistaken
a notion of honor as to marry one woman when
he loved another"
'I know" said Alice quickly. "But books are
one thing, and life is another"
Leonard, who had been pacing the floor, stop
ned suddenly. "The Bible" he said, speaking
as one who talks to convince himself, ''tells us
to do as we would be done by. l wouldn't want
Mildred or-or any woman to marry me- loving
another man."
| "I know" said Alice again wearily. GIVE gone
over it all thousand times. Were l in Mil
dred's place and she in mine, | wouldn't want
her to do what I am doing. And yet that is
what she would do. Nor can I do anything else.
The other way may be right, but if it is, can
not do right cannot hurt her And you
YOU NAV argue against it, to me and to yourself,
| hut it isn't in you to do anything but marry
Mildred"
Alice stopped suddenly. Leonard was staring
at her. his eyes dilated, his breath coming short.
''How well you know me-" he murmured wonder
inplv; chow completely you understand But l
haven't asked you to change your decision, dear,
he continued after a pause II only say you are
cruel to deprive me of this hour 1 have risked
so much for Is it too much ask you to leave
me, as help through the years | must live with
out you-the memory of kiss?"
| Alice took a step forward. Her eyes were
luminous, her mouth smiling and tender. IL
shall leave YOU something BETTER" she said soft
lv-"tbe memory of a kiss withheld, rose that
will not fade, song that is deathless. Oh, can't
Won feel the sacredness of it? Don't you see that