Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-04

neeted Is!d with mauve dress has brought me to
| this, said Camilla, with bitter curvino &c bor
! lips. '' 'oiVins oi ner
| She looked with frowning eyes at the unlovelv
prospect OF rain.laden window.panes bevond
which one saw world of roofs and cbimnevs
she had strenuously resisted all her 6ances 81
forts to dislodge her from her poor surroundirss
Until the day-in three days time now-when
they were to be married by special license sbe
would receive no favors at his hands
Her pride took her that far. 1t was nearly
week since that eventfu day of the fete. The
mauve dress was packed away; Kynaston had
foreibly paid the bill, and the frock had not gone
should
1t lay there in it's wrappings of silver paper, a
memento of the most wonderful day in her life.
me most wonderful Yet the thought was har-
aassing her now-could she go on with this farce?
IL might end in tragedy or in comedy; it
rather toss-up which. She felt she could not
she could not do this thing.
Inc bargain, to be sure was none of her max
ing or suggestion Kynaston seemed amply sat
lshed, He was kindness itself--generosty per-
soniied But IL was not enough Her whole
heart cried for more, for something the man had
confessed to her was dead and gone forever
something he had given to another and could
never give to her. She felt bankrupt of her
rightful heritage
She forgot that she was a beggar, was making
what the papers-when they got hold of the
news-woud call the match of the season. She
forgot that there was no other way of escape for
her than this if she wished, to avoid starvation
Her whole nature revoted suddenly and horri-
bly, against the future staring her in the face
1t was strange that at the very moment of pas
sionate revolt, Kynaston himself should come in
She started up to meet him. and did not take
the hand he stretched out with his usual friendly
smile
"What is it?" he asked quickly. alive at once
70 int 1I,,
manner.
Camilla barely hesitated.
"I-I simply can't do i'll" she said hoarsely
Kynaston closed the door and drew a step
nearer
Cant do what?" he asked gently. "Take
your time, my dear-tell me?"
1t was the word of endearment he had ever ad-
dressed to her, and she quivered before it, Some
thing let loose all the pentup misery within her,
and for a moment the man WINGED before the
absolute revelation which came to him with her
broken words.
"I can't do it." she repeated you must let
me off the bargain l thought nothing mattered
as long as / had a home and wealth and every
thing else, but | can't do it. / can't sell my
soul for mess of pottage. / must take my
chance, and fight go under, my own way.
Don't ask me to do it, JIM
"I ask you to do nothing except of your own
free will,' he said gravey. "You are free, Ca
milla--quite free. Only, ! am always your friend,
you know Tell me what you are going to do?"
81 don't know. Begin to look again for some
thing to do
'Let us be quite clear about this, Camilla
you are refusing to marry me because"
Because you don't love mel she famed out
hoarsey. Because / will not be married out of
pity, or because you think it an interesting ex-
pertinent or because you filled with curiosi-
ty to see how such compact will turn out! |
will not do it, Not to save anything
Her voice broke, and smile came into the
mans keen eyes.
'Yet you might marry because you
cared for him little. and he cared great deal
-mightn't you, Camilla"
''If I cared--and he cared" she stammered 81
I'D 60 through fire and water for him!
''Then marry me- Camilla / don't ask you to
do anything desperate for me. only to love me-
I've most deliberately walked into love with you
for the last ten days, and that is better than
falling in love- as the saying is. If one falls
/ fell once that way Camlla---one may come up
short at the bottom of the abyss with horrible
bump and wrench. and, more horrible still an
awakening. But. when treads warily ana
knows-Why Camilla, I'm not worth tear,
nv dear! I'd rather you smile II you thnk
You'll still use that license next thursday. My
dearest heart tell me, you won't leave me now!
I'm too old to change my mind shall we keep
the compact-only with difference!
"All the difference in the world she whls-
pered her eyes wet with happy tears II YOU
are sure-qute sure 80,
"Oh. YOU and your ifs'!'' he cried boylshly'
and took her in his arms
And there and then all Cama's doubts van
ished like mist before the morning sun
And bv Kynastons special request she was
married in that mauye dress