The Ordway new era., 1906-05-04
be. why are you % changsd to ne
what have I doue!"
"You know best" yfs
..You distrust me 2"

''You distrust me!"
.Have l ever told you so?"
mo: but l feel It. No one else ais
| trusts me. Constance. All treat me
kindly but you. What is the reason
Has any ono 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. Il think ]
understand you. I went away and did
not return when you expected me.
You thought something had happened
to me-that was dead, perhaps. You
mourned for me truly. Then l came
back. It was like one coming from
the dead to claim you. You Thought
YOU could not resurrect your dead
love and cause II 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 u.s."
because II will be best. You can
never love me again II YOU try 10
recall your old affection. Let MS be-
gin anew, he married again, secretly,
II you will but throw on the old bond
and begin new life with all the
shadow OF past dstrust and suffering
left behind us. VIII you. Constance
will you?"
His voice was low and pleading. his
hand sim claspinG hers. But she DIRE"
1t away.
You talk absurdly." she said. "As
II old married people could not do
better than cover themselves with
ridicule by n second wedding Say
no more. | 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 dorfbt It. look
ing into his face so full of loves emo
tion: but do no; feel nj ease In
your presence. What OF Lenora?' She
asked. suddenly, wheeling about and
facing him again.
"I,cnora." he feebly repeated.
Yes, LenoTa.
There is no Lenorn.
lis she dead?"
She may be. for aught know. Con.
stance. rs 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. aud reaching from floor TO
ceiling. do you think could ever
forget you for any other womanr! Is
there any other half SO beautiful or
good in the wide world?. II there is.
never saw her 4r.....
II this passionate assertion moved
Constance In the least she did not
evince any emotion. She put up her
hand. merely. us II TO stay mrther
words. and said calmly. Il hear the
children. They have finished their
game. and II is time for Uncle Carter.
too"
Clare and Pcrley entered. flushed
and rosy from their game.
such fun" said Perley. as an echo
to the late game. unwilling 10 let the
sport drop.
"oh. yes: why didn't you come out.
papag
Il was talking with mamma. my
little Clare" said Mr.. Hamilton. fond
ly strolSlng her curls.
She clasped his hand and held It. II
love you. papa. almost better than
used to-
You are the only one who does. my
darling. Is IT really. truly. for my
self?" he asked her. ms II yearning for
some Acknowledgement.
"of course. {, Is. But" she con.
tinued. thoughtfully. you never hear
me say my prayers now
'Would you like TO have me? !
thought II was to God you prayed"
yes; but | want you to pray. too.
in your heart. as you used to-
ITO be continued)