Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1907-12-05
CHAPTER xIv.-continued.

CHAPTER XiV.-Continued
In the hall she met Frank Allister
turning away from her door.
Il thought you would be in your
ROOM, he said, but found you were
not
Il have been talking to 'Tunia, .
said May, and then, quite mechanical
Iy, she added Wont you come in for
a moment?"
Frank Allister followed May into
the little sitting room and closed the
door behind him.
For a moment he stood awkwardly,
eager to speak, but yet hesitating.
81 wanted to see you, Miss Wilson, y
he said looking at May earnestly, ito
tell you something I have kept Sc
cret for a long time. But I heard to-
day that Mrs Cheney had already
told you and L
The moment Frank began to speak
May had OWNED what was COM
ing, and the color rushed to her
cheeks. Trembling, confused, she
wanted to stop the confession of love
which she knew was coming, but the
position was an awkward one. She
couldn't say, You mean that you are
in love with me; please don't say any
thing more about it." And while she
was trying to find the right words to
use Frank, having thus paved the way
of explanation, hurried on with eager,
feyerish haste
Miss Wilson-May," he exclaimed,
you know what [ have hesitated so
long to say-that I love you-that l
want you to let me win you for my
wife"
The young novelist could have made
his hero declare his passion with
more fuency, but that was all he could
find to say for himself
The color in Mays face died out
rapidly as she listened to the declara-
ton, and it was very pale face into
which Frank Allister looked as he adj
vanced and took her trembling hand
in his.
Mr.. Allister," she stammered, as
she gently withdrew her hand, Il like
you very much. II value your friend
ship, but-but we must both forget
that you ever spoke to me as you have
done tonight"
May! You mean"
II mean that there are reasons
which make it impossible for me to
let you think of me as woman you
could love-"
You do not care for me?"
There can be no question of my
caring for you. Having said what you
have to me, it is right that I should
tell you tthe truth. 1t has been my
secret-one l have kept for reasons
you will not ask me to explain. But
know that you will respect it, and
that you will not betray me to others"
In heavens name, what do you
mean?" exclaimed the young man, his
own face as pale as Mays.
Il mean that [ can never return
your love because | am another man S
wife"
"A wife-you!" he gasped.
Yes All, forgive mel see now
how wrong l have been to hide the
truth. but there are reasOns-reasOnS
which | dare NOT tell you now. some
day you will know too, and you will
forgive me-
She held out her hand.
Good night, Mr. Allister,' she said.
Forgive me and forget me. 1t will
be easier than you think. Tomorrow
| am leaving this house and you will
not see me again"
Her hand lay a moment in Franks.
He pressed it gently, and she saw
that his eyes were moist
Your secret is safe with me- he
said, his voice breaking with the pain
that was in his heart. 1T is for you
to forgive me- -by-and-and
God bless YOU
He turned and went slowly away,
his head bowed low
May stood silent for a moment as
the door closed behind him; then, with
a little sob, she sank into a chair and
buried her face in her hands.
81 love him!" she sobbed. God for
give me my sin! l love him!'