Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-09-17

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The doctor purposely gave hel
rather a larger dose than usual, and
the effect was almost instantaneous
That horrible twitching Of the nerves
ceased, and a delicious languor stole
over her. Oh! If she could only for.
get all the past and see some ray OF
hope in the future. And where wa:
that ray Of hope to come from If not
from her husband, a man whom al
least she thoroughly respected.
Sidney" she said, raising her
heavy eyes to his; when 1 am dead
will you really miss me?"
"Come, come" was the smiling
CHEEKY answer, you're not going to
die. You talk nonsense. OF course
I should miss you. 1 have told you
that 1 care for you more than any
living woman. Isn't that enough?"
Florence sighed, and sank wearily
down in the arm chair behind her.
The words were we'll enough, but
there was no warmth in the tone. The
poor woman was hungry and thirsty
for real affection, and affection In
which she could find shelter and pro-
lection.
But you have seemed so cold, so
practical" she said. Yours is not
such a nature, 1t seems to me-"
The conversation was taking a turn
which was not agreeable to Sherwood.
In fact, to talk sentiment with his
wife was a decided bore to him.
Come, come, Florence" he said
quietly and not In the least disagreea-
bly,, I'VE agreed long ago not to ques-
ton one another on that point. Ours
was a marriage of convenience, and
was so understood. We are happy
enough, aren't we?"
But, Sidney" persisted Florence,
not knowing when the opportunity
might come again to speak on this
subject, and her aching heart crying
out even more strongly for that af-
fection which was denied her, II
have always felt that somewhere be-
hind your great devotion to your pro-
fession, lives a creature capable Of
deep, absorbing and passionate love.
Tell me, Sidney" speaking now with
certain timidity, "am I wrong? Was
there not some one you had loved and
lost before you met me?"
Sherwood started slightly and turn
ed a shade paler. But in no other
way did he betray any emotion. He
was a man who, as rule, had his
feelings under excellent control.
Nevertheless, it was some moments
before he replied, and when he did,
it was in a voice which was not quite
as even as usual.
Yes, Florence, there was"
Tell me of her." she said gently.
Il will not reproach YOU"
There Is nothing to tell, except
that 1 loved her better than my life;
and yet, blind fool that I was, for
got her in the frenzied zeal Of my
ambition, like many man who tram
Piles upon pearls in his mad hunt for
more glittering gems. When turned
at last, 1t was too late. The pearls
were broken-she was dead"
With tears Of sympathy in her
beautiful eyes, Florence impulsively
reached out and caught her husbands
hand in a warm clasp.
sidney! Sidney! I pity you"
Sherwood, in spite Of himself, was
touched at this generous speech and
action, and perhaps in that moment
husband and wife were nearer togeth-
er than they had ever been before.
pity" he repeated, kindly strok-
ing her hair with his disengaged hand.
perhaps some day I will forget, we
will both forget and love each 9TH
err"
Eyes, yes" cried Florence, eagerly.
IT will be true and faithful"
81 have no fear on that point" And
in this he spoke only the truth, for he
had absolute confidence in her. 1--WE
can at least trust each other. Come
now" releasing his hand, and with
an entire change Of manner, the mo-
mentary emotion passed. at is after
5 o'clock. 1 must visit the hospital.
and you must be off to lie down."
He pulled out his handkerchief to
wipe off the needle with which he
had given her the hypodermic injec-
ton, and as he did so a sealed envel-
ope fluttered to the floor.
you have dropped something, Sid
ney."
He looked down and picked up the
envelope.
"Yes, it's a dispatch brought by one
of Crooks couriers for the colonel.
I'll leave it here for him." placing the
envelope upon the table, "as he may
return while l am at the hospital. BY
the way, that reminds me. There was
a lady passenger in the coach. Can
you find room for herr"
Certainly" replied Florence, ris-
ing. "I will speak to Dorothy about
It,"
mo, I will see Dorothy. Remem-
Der what l said about the morphine.
It's effect will be lost unless you lie
down at once"
He took up his medicine case and
turned as If to depart, but paused as
Florence spoke his name entreat-
ingly.
"Well?"
She came to his side.
you have been honest with me-
she said; trembling a little. Let me
be equally so with you"
He took her hand in a kindly way.
Nothing more tonight" he said
firmly. Florence. have never ques-
toned what is or has been in your
heart. There is no dishonour- That
l know. Keep your schoolgirl loYe
stories until we can both laugh at
them together"
He stopped, kissed her lightly on
the forehead, apd then, with a care
less word of farewell, passed out of
the house.