The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1906-11-02

nc WIS lCdUlHS forward, lliHOBl
touching her face with lis cheek. as
he spoke. Several times she had
tried to stop what was coming to
gain more time to think; but 1t waG
swer. He had thrown the question
at her like a scarchlight that she
might be revealed at last, and she
feared that revelation. She feared to
know, herself, what she would say
The old pang smote her, and she
fought It back. Could she repel il
now forever?
There was Il knock at the door.
Come in" she called, WELCOMING
the delay. Conrad rose in anger.
A maid entered. bearing letter,
which she put in Miss Allisons hand
then left the room. She looked curl
ously at the address.
You must answer me now" Con.
rad exclaimed.
She held the envelope In her slim
tapcring fingers. dclicatcly, as II re.
coiying some subtle scntcnt impress
sion. viii you excuse me for a mo.
ment while | read this letter." she
asked, trembling.
40, ! WON'T he cried, distracted.
IT, Why should you triIe with mt
at Il time like this? If you mean tc
refuse me, YOU might at least do it
quickly and mcrcifulIy."
CT mot cav, ,aI,t ,,,,,.
said, softly. 1T may be better fol
you ii you wait, though | don't prom
Use it will. / don't recognize this
handwriting at all, but somehow have
a feeling that it will help me to an
swcr you. OF course, though. ! may
be mistaken wish you'd let me try
it, Conrad"
He walked to the other end OF the
room, and stood, moodilv, at the win
dow, looking out. She tore open the
envelope and found two enclosures
AT the sight Of one, rs II fell upon her
lap, half.opcned. her color changed
and her breath came faster. She read
the other one first. however:
My Dear Miss Allison: | am send
Ing herewith a letter which would
have been sent many months ago. had
| been able to determine positively
for whom 1t was intended 1t was
written by Lieut.. IRENE on the night
OF the engagement in which he was
killed, lie was probably compelled
to fall in suddenly, before he had timo
either to complete or address the let.
ter. | attended Lieut. IRENE in the
field hospital, and was with him till
he died. II" recovered consciousness
for little while after the operation,
but had strength enough only to ask
me to deliver this letter. without be.
ing able to communicate the proper
address. You will understand that It
was a delicate matter to find the Der,
son for whom 1t was meant. MS none
OF his friends knew of your engage
mCnt to him. II was almost a wear
before was able to be sure that II
was meant for you. hope that YOU
Will forgive the delay and will believe
me worthy OF his and Of your conf
dcncc.
MARGARET TABARD."
Miss Allison cast a swift glance to.
wards the window before she took M
the second sheet. Conrad had not
stirred. She held the pcncined paper
to the light.
My Dear Dear. ] have only Few
minutes, perhaps before we 70 into
action, and some 'prcscntimcnt. which
by tomorrow will probably prove to
have been nervousness, makes me
want to write a word 10 you before
the fun commences. 1t may be that
won't pull through. this time. The
officers have been picked of in a
rather nasty way, OF late. So. in case
anything should happen, there's one
thing ! want to tell you, II / could
only know how to do it, In sDitc of all
that has happened It may be possible
that you don't quite realize Just how
much | care for you, dear girl. 1t may
be more than you think. It's so much
more than ! can realize. No one ever
can want you as much as | want YOU.
but even more than that | want you
to be happy-in your own way, not
mine only.
i don't want my love ever to bino
you or TO come between any two
selves you may find at war with one
another. Your happiness is all / have
to care for in this world; It's your
only rival. If you asked me TO kill
you, | could do 1t to make you hap.
pier. As for my own life, that's one
of the least things I'd sacrifice. If It
would make you happier I'd even live
when dying would be much easier. So
! hope you'll understand me when
say that, if there's ever any other
man who can make you happier than
!, or who can even make you happy
after I'm gone. my greatest happiness
VIII be yours. Don't ever try to hold
yourself faithful TO a memory for my
sake! Believe me, this comes from
my heart; believe that it is, as well
as ! can measure 1t, the height and
the depth of my love for you"
Miss Allison looked up through her
tears to see Conrad watching he