Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-10-03

sitS liAiS. I1S llotu -DesSu QuiJe aWdtS
that unless she had other reasons for
doing SO she could not marry him for
love He would say in his own de-
fence that he hoped that the love
which was lacking now she might
learn to give him as their lives went
on together. 1t was hope founded
on the assumption that if she did not
love him much at least, she loved no
one else more. Now that he knew t.
the contrary. he must beg her not to
sacrifice herself In an effort that could
only fail. She listened with downcast
eyes. Her face was pale and drawn,
and though she maintained her self
control, her emotion betrayed itself
in the nervousness with which she
twirled round and round the one ring
she wore--her engagement ring. She
was unconscious of the action, but
Wiltshire noted how loosely the ring
chung to the thin white finger.
II don't think you do me justice,
Duke" she said. when he had finish
ed speaking. She raised her eyes
and looked at him with apparent
calmness. "You seem to think have
taken this step without knowing what
was doing, or counting the cost. But
i did all that beforehand. If l hadn't
believed that could be good wife
to you, shouldn't have undertaken
to try. That | love some one else
differently was something I never in
tended that you should know, 1t
wouldn't have been necessary. don't
suppose that any two married people
know everything about each other
or that they need to know. You'd
have been happy with me-"
"Ah, but would you have been
happy with me, Paula?"
"a woman's happiness, Duke, Is
very easily secured. A large part Of
1.-THE very largest part of it's IN
the happiness of those she cares for.
If you and papa were pleased. that
in itself would mean great deal to
me. don't say that cit would be
enough to make me put aside all posi-
tive desires of my own, If there were
no other reason. But there is another
reason"
"What?"
Papa knows needn't explain It.
It's enough to say that 1t exists.
couldn't marry Mr. Winship. how
ever much cared for him. And since
that is so, why shouldn't l take
what's left of my life to bring some
comfort into yours?"
Wiltshire sprang up and crossed
the room towards her
No no, Paula. It can't be. You
wouldn't be bringing comfort into my
| life when knew you were desolat-
| ing your own. ItSisL't as If everything
were surely over for the love yol
own to. If it were. then perhaps
who knows?-I might let you come
in to the poor shelter I could offer
you. But everything isn't over
| ooh, Duke. don't say that" she
cried in sharp tone of pleading.
II do say it. say it and repeat It
Reasons that exist today may not
exist tomorrow What should feel
If the time ever came when you might
be free to marry him, if you had not
been tied to me?"
She started with a little gasp
raising her hand as If to brush tht
| thought awav from her. 1t was the
hand on which her engagement rims
hung loosely. Wiltshire caught it
holding 1t firmly in his own grasp.
"I'm going to take this off, Paula
1t should never have gone on
She looked at him piteously, bic
tears beginning to roll down he,
cheeks Trafford sprang from his
chair, with an inarticulate sound II
Impotence. Wiltshire drew the rine
so slowly from the finger that he
by which his own life ebbed away
In the long minute Of silence 6
discreet tap on the door sounded
| CT VII ,,11 u,ro al
Come in," his secretary entered
apologetically offering card.
The gentleman said his errand was
urgent" the secretary explained
otherwise 1 shouldn't have ventur
ed
you're quite right, smithson. ASH
Durand to show the gentleman ii
here"
But who is it. papa?" Paula cried
rising II can't see any one
You'd better see him." TRAITORS
said, gruffly.
He handed the card to Wiltshire
who. having read it, passed it on t.
Paula.
"You see was right he said, soft
ly. Everything isn't over yet"
But, papa" Paula protested. with
| an air or distress. Il can't see Mr.
Winship with this-this wedding
dress on"
Then take it off,"
Eyes, take it off. Paula" Wiltshire
said, with sad smile. "As long as
live shall remember with Joy that
you were willing to wear It, Now
am going to say goodbye YOU
mustn't be sorry for anything that's
occurred. because, even as things
are. I'm a great deal happier thar
1f-than if didn't love you
| "Oh, Duke" she began brokenlv
Hush" he whispered Don't try
| to say anything. Winship will be
here in minute, and you must ge
and take that off. But you can lay
| it away somewhere-can't you?-and
keep it in memory Of the sacrifice
| from which saved you"
Again Paula tried to speak, but he
turned quickly from her. With 4
| rapid pressure Of Traffords hand, he
| left by one door. while Paula went oui
by another. Trafford was thus left
alone to wait for Winship.