The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1906-08-17

/ until Ferrars hand closed upon his
shoulder. Ferrars' voice itself seemed
20 come from distance.
Here, then. take this. I've writ
ten il; I've not told you-not broS en-
my word literally. can't stay to
talk tonight; ! have 10 be AZ the
theatre by seven. and my friends are
waiting. She's staying there, at that
address, with friends. not far of.
Send this telegram 10 her with your
own hands.
Il tried TO spare You pain by keep
ing silence. She won't see you-of
that I'm certain; so this is supposed
10 come from friend of hers. asking
her 10 be at the main park gate by
O'Clock, on life and death mat
ter. It's quiet there-the gates
close at dusk. Say nothing as TO
how you found out, and don't so
near the house itself. Simply wait,
and call here Tomorrow Ia tell me.
Old chap, il would be cruel TO wish
you luck"
Some word rose in Dams throat,
but il was not sound lie pressed
the others hands and went out. Al
most unconsciously he dispatched the
telegram.
Nine o'clock, 4 thin powder OF
snow was falling. Past 8, He stood
on there IN the grip OF the cold
lethargy because there seemed no.
where 10 go-nothing more TO live
about TO cross the white roadway,
came the dear slight figure that had
moved through his many dreams. He
wanted TO leap forward, TO shout
her name; he could only stand
rigid.
She had paused, looking around
Only the curb railing was between
them. Then she had seen him, and
given the thrilling little cry for
which he waited. She realized, To
her he was a ghost from a dead
past, He could Just make out the
deathly whiteness Ct her face in the
surrounding gloom. She had quiv-
cred back; she was going without a
workout of his life for ever,
"Lottie, Lottie, dear hear me,
One woTd-if YOU ever loved me-"
Not one--no. not one" She
faltered il family, but with deer
mination that went to his heart.
Don't come near me--I am not
worth il! IT was not-not like YOU
TO stoop TO such trick with a weak
woman"
Hush! I won't move; am not
going to frighton you, dear Only
let me speak quietly; only tell me
what il all means!" He stood mo-
tionless on his side of the iron rail
ing. She had changcd-yes, There
was something in her attitude to-
night, in her chilling resolution, that
he had never known in the old days
His Lottie'- yet not the Lottie who
had ctung TO him and bade him be
strong and brave for her sake.
IF you knew what have suffered
You would forgive me this" he said ;,
imploringly quiet. "It's all a mist;
| know nothing except that I have
done nothing to forfeit your love.
had your cruel letter and would not
believe it; came back home to tell
you So You never meant those
words. Lottie, you can't-you won't
say that you have given TO some
other man what YOU gave to me-all
that ! held precious in life. | worked
for you out there; | waited, for
you" futures sake; | never will be-
licve that you turned from me of
prayed for YOU on my knees every
night--that ="
II quavered off His effort had
been made. lie caught at the rail
and put hand TO his eyes. She was
looking down as if in deepest shame,
bat without a visible tremor.
1T is too late" she said in the
same faint, cold way. II did not
realize you would take IL so to heart
There IS no need TO make q scene
here; 7 am known, and-and
ought not to have been trapped by a
trick like this. No, / can't tell you
any more than | wrote. don't ask
you to forgive me, but just TO forget
me. II you persist now, II must
go still farther away and give up my
work here. But il you're the man !
think. youll go back and find some
better woman who will repay you
for all. ! dare not stop; | must say
good-by."
"Good-by." The mans lips echoed
Il in a far-away whisper. His star
ing eyes saw nothing now. The lump
in his throat could not be gulped
back this time. Only once his hand
wavered out, as If in hopes OF touch
ing hers, but the dear figure in gray
had gone.
Ten O'Clock, A groping, haggard
figure, he found himself back at the
house where Archie Ferrars lived. In
! that front room the gaslight still
burned, but no one was there. He
moved 20 and fro with simply the
dull idea that he had come 10 say
"good-by" before he turned back TO