Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-15
r o b e r t $

since we cannot kill this love of ours, we must
take care that it makes us better and nobler?
Since we must hide it in our hearts, let it be
like prisoned fragrance, all the sweeter for
its bondage"
He turned and started for the door, and as
did look came into the girls eyes that was
pitfu it so loving and tender and sad.
When he faced her again at the threshold the
look had faded.
"Tell me that you care for me- Leonard said.
"You cannot refuse to do that"
Alice put up appealing hand. Go, go, she
entreated Don't you see that / cannot bear
any more? Oh, it must be some horrible, hor-
rible dream"
Before her words had died away the air the
curtain their right parted and Mildred stood
| beside them.
"What must be some horrible dream? she
asked, looking from one to the other in an as
tonished way Leonard" The last word was
cry.
There had not been time for the man and the
woman she surprised to assume Irasks; the very
air, even, was tense with suppressed feeling.
Mdred's glance rested on her lover with
look of piteous appeal. When his eyes fell before
hers she seemed to summon new forces, as II
bracing herself for an ordeal.
| AT this moment Alice spoke. Leonard can.
not explain, Mildred; it is who must tell you.'
She talked rapidly and evenly. "He is here be-
cause I asked him to come. wanted to see
him alone before / go away. T'-Alce paused,
shrinking a little from what she read in Mildreds
eyes-T love him."
The other girl shrank too and turned towards
her lover. "And Leonardo" she whispered.
"Was as surprised as you are" interposed Alice
quickly, as Leonard was about to speak. Now
you see why he could not explain lie would
have tried to dissembe, to shield me from your
pity Even now some foolish notion OF honor
is urging him to deny my words. am grateiui
for his generous intention, but IL Is pe''er ioi
all concerned that"
With a shuddering sigh Mildred sank into
chair and broke into uncomfortable weeping
When Leonard knelt beside her and trieo TO
soothe her she cried the more, but she leC MN
put his arms about her and draw her mead 10
his shoulder.
Leonard Leonard" she sobbed, clingng to
him. ''for Just a second thought you did not
care for me. Don't you know-cant you guess
what l suffered? And Alce-oh, poor Ahee'
whom you don't love-"
Mildred rose and, crossing the room, stood
before the other girl with her hands out. L
am so sorry, sorry, she murmureo proAen
iv. "Is there nothing I do?"
.No nothing" answered Alice She had MAIN
+ained throughout the interview curious quiet
that made Leonard feel if he must cry aloud.
'Unless" she added with faint, very iainI'
note of pleading in her voice, you can zen ine
that you do not desplse me tor naNlhs ie' lin
know" ,..,
vet she did hesitate before she said slowly; NO,
| / do not despise you. l Will go away now anu
let you say good-by to him.
| She went to Leonard and laid hand on MS
breast. "Be kind to her. she whispered, ana
went quickly out of the ROOM a..
| When she was gone Leonard turned TO Alice
with herceness that was born half OF anger
and the other half of shame.
''Do YOU think / will play the part you have
thrust upon me?" he cried hotly. when l tried
to meet Mildred's eyes and failed, l saw myself
for what ana dishonorable, unmanly weakIng
for having come to beg word and KISS from
one woman when | was betrothed to another
Do YOU imagine for moment that | could let
her 30 on thinking you would do the thing
despse myself for? Do you suppose can Dear
TO have her believe you so dlshonorable, So
so unwomanly? Do you think l want you to
despse me more than you do already! shall
tell Mildred the truth.
Alice shook her head. "I don't despise you
she said sadly, because l know the strength
of your temptation, but Mildred would And
she must not be robbed of her faith in you.
That would be worse than losing your love. Be
sides. I can bear suffering and she could not;
it would kill her. Mildred must not know. You
must keep silent because-because L ask it.
can't explain it to you, this feeling that one
woman can have for another, but don't you see
she is nv friend God knows | love you, and
vet'-her voice rose and took on more decided
rinc-"it wasn't for your sake that said what
| did, it was for her"
A second later Alice had gone, closing the door
behind her.
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