The Glenwood post., 1906-05-05

be. Why are you so changed to met
What have l done?"
"Yoa know best" afSsT
You distrust me?"
Have l ever told you so?'
NO; but feel it. No one else dis
trusts me, Constance. All treat me
kindly but you. What is the reason?
Has any one come between us?"
who could come between us?"
81 don't know, Constance" he said,
rapidly, coming to her side and clasp
ing her cold hand in his. II think I
understand you. l went away and did
not return when you expected me.
You thought something had happened
to me-that 1 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 us?"
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 of the old bond
and begin a new life with all the
shadow of past distrust and suffering
left behind us. Will you, Constance.
will you?"
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 second wedding. Say
no more. l distrust you feel that
there is something false about you.
have from the first"
DO you doubt my love for you?"
Not that, perhaps" she said falter-
ing, for she could not doubt it. look
ing into his face so full of loves emo
tion: but | do not feel at ease in
souI pltStHCt. w HAT Vi SDd
asked. suddenly, wheeling about and
facing him again.
'Lenora," he feebly repeated.
Yes, Lenora."
There is no Lenora"
is 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, l
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 Iurther
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?'
Il was talking with mamma, my,
little Clare" said Mr. Hamilton, fond
ly stroking her curls.
She clasped his hand and held it. "r
love you, papa, almost better than I
used to-"
You are the only one who does, my
darling. Is it really, truly, for N.Y.
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? I
thought it was to God you prayed"
Yes; but l want you to pray, too,
in your heart, as you used to-"
(To be continued)