The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-28

in order that she could not marry me.
 Is that not so?"
 She covered back from him. as though he had struck her in the race
 and placed her hands over her eyes.
 "Oh. this Is cruel" she sobbed, tnis
 Is brutal. inh'fman. monstrous
 "Yet 1t Is the truth" he continued
 sternly; land it Is also true that Tan
 kerlane swore an oath to you never 70
 speak of what he saw in the wood at
 Laverstone. and that you paid nm
 price for that oath, and the price you
 paid was this--you divorced nim so
 that he should be free to marry Laura
 Vane."
 "oh, this is horrible" she shrieked.
 rising to her feet, and pressing her fingers to her ears. N"Sit down. ana turn your face from me. Be silent. Even if all this were true. you should be the last to reproach me--you. TOT whom would do anything. Hasn't God punished you end brought you to inc dust, and taught you charity. and Kindness, and h0nor7 I am the woman you asked to be your wife. Is that not enough to protect me from your in- suits? Is not my love for you worthy some tenderness? Have you no shame, no thought for one who has given you all her heart and soul?" Steady Leonore," he replied gently. II do not reproach you am only | asking you these questions in order that I may learn~the truth" You are asking them in order to make me feel ashamed of what have l done. But do not care. I would do | 1t all again--I use your own words--I | would do more--T would do anything | in the name of love"
 You do we'll to rebuke me with my ! own words" he replied. But God has l punished me for them already" He turned away from her, and groped | for his chair. This time she did not offer to help him, but watched him with blazing eyes. Her small and frail l body trembled with passion. She had offered him so much. and he had cast it all back in her face.
 leave her husband again" she said tercely. 'and that she will come to you 1 again and ask for your protection. Has 1t not occurred to you that she has perhaps learned lesson from adver- sityf"
 If she has not" he replied. T have already done so. You may rest as- sured. Leonore, that and Laura Tan kerlane will never meet again in this world unless she comes to me. I shall never seek her out. shall stay on here-alone."
 He found his chair, and flung him.
  ions The excitement of the interview had left it's mark upon his face. The lips were almost Nwhite. and twitched nervously The anger died from Leo- nore's eyes as she looked upon the wreck of strong man. and the sight moved her once more to pity. Besides, had she not heard from his own lips | Tanker1ane again7 It was not because of Laura that he had tried to drive her from his side.
 She moved forward timidly. as though his blind eyes could see her ev- cry movement, and when she reached knees, and touched his hand with her fingers.
 Jack" she whispered softly. "Yes, Leonore."
 "why. do we talk of things that can only keep us apart. Is there so little pain and sorrow in the world that one has to seek 1t. Have we not both suf- fered gnough?'
 T shall suffer yet more" he replIed in low vofee; 'the cup is not yet full" T love you" she whispered tenderiy. Can I not be near you to help you in your sorrow, to tighten your darkness? Let me devote my life to you. You shall see with
 my eyes. and will be your second self. If you need proof of my devotion. sure~ iy you can ses 1t now. have stified my pride. have forgiven the bitter words you used to me. I am here pleading on my knees to you No woman could a0 humble herself. save with the humility
 Of love. Let me serve you with my whole Iife.''
 .sLeonore, Leonore," he cried piteoug 1. ", mo woman should speak to a man like this. It is I who should plead The sin Is mine. It is ! who should ask forgiveness" She looked tenderly at his white face, and then. half rising from the floor, she flung her arms round his neck and kissed him on the lips.
 The action, was so sudden that the blind man was powerless to resist 1t. But he did not respond to the embrace. She unIoosed her arms. and. sinking back on the floor, buried her face in her hands. and sobbed as though her heart would break.
 'Ieonore," he said gently. you must leave me. You must not come here again"
 She did not answer. but seized his hand and c1ung to it. as though no
 force on earth should drag him from her side.
 "Leonore," he said more sternIy, ''this Is folly, madness. Our marriage must not take place. + will bo better for yOu--USI 0f AOE A1S IT Wo uO not meet again
 Have you thought of what that will mean?" she asked, slowly.
 'Yes," he replied. Tt will mean free- dom for you. Your talents ought nev- CT to be obscured by the dulling in- fiuence of married life. As a wife your great gifts will be wasted. As the wife of an invalid, of a groping, pulling ehild--for I am no better than a child | in my blindness--they would be lost forever. Think of the life. Leonore,
 tied to 6 log like me. who cannot even see the smile on your face. Why. 1t | will be penal servitudew Have xou thought of what it will
 mean to you? Of your own life passed in loneliness and darkness. at the
 mercy of servants who will rob you,
 of acquaintahces who will pity you"
 "I have thought of all that. Yet 1t would be better than the ruin of a young and brilliant woman. who has
 a great career before her. I have
 done enough mischief in my life al-
 ready"
 "Jacl." she said calmly, "do you wish
 me to believe that you are only think
 ing of me in this matter? cannot forget what you have just said to me-"
 You are. justified in making that re- mark" he replied. When you first