Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1908-10-19
A N N EFT re-

of Oscar Darwin-envious of his many
graces OF mind and person! I did not
think you capable Of anything so un-
worthy Of yourself. Of mer'
"You are wrong. Annette. cannot
! be envious Of man like Oscar OAR
| win. however outwardly attractive he
may be. and If am jealous 1t is Of
"Indeedw was the sarcastic rejoin-
der. You are very kind! did not
know that either was in danger!'
$50 kind that l risk your displeasure
to give you this warning. l repeat it.
Mr.. Darwin is not dealing honestly by
you. II he was he would have told
you Of his engagement to Miss Burt. a
lady in Stamford"
Annette turned sharply upon the
| speaker.
"Who told you that he was engag-
ed?"
1.-THE lady's father He Is very
wealthy. and she his only child"
Annette was too proud to show the
pain and dismay at her heart.
| "As Mr.. Darwin has never spoken to
me Of love. fail to see the criminalty
you seem to attach to his conduct"
Philip looked greatly relieved at this
assurance.
II am glad to know that he has some
spark Of honor in his heart. Still. If
he has not spoken love lie has acted
It, If his tongue has been silent his
eyes have not"
The two remained silent for some
moments.
| Both pride and anger were visible in
Annette's face, burning all the more
| fiercely because she could not deny the
assertion.
Philip gazed long and sorrowfully
upon that averted face.
''And it is for such a man as this
that you have rejected the heart that
has loved you so long and faithfully!
But will not reproach you. Remem-
Der this: AS you have been my first
love, so you shall be my last; that If
you should ever regret your decision
word will bring me back to you"
The following evening Annette and
Oscar Darwin stood beneath the clus-
| tering vines that clambered over the
porch of her fathers door.
Il love you, Annette"'
That low, thrilling tone, so mourn
fully tender. awoke an involuntary
response in Annette's heart.
The warm blood flashed up to the
temples and then receded, leaving the
| face paler than before.
! "You have no right to say that to
me, Mr.. Darwin"
81 know it. And yeti love you.
! Annette"
Oscar Darwin was a consummate
actor, man whose vanity was in
satiable.
Fiqued by Anncttes apparent indif-
ference. he bent every effort to eXtort
some token from her of his power
over her heart and without commit
ting himself.
"Ah, if We're only free" he sighed
"And yet If l were do not know that
my love would have power to wake
| any response in your heart
Annette looked steadily into the face
Of the speaker.
The witchery that his peculiar fasc-
nation Of manner had thrown over her
senses was fast disappearing, en-
aiding her to see clearly the real char
acter Of the man.
"And, knowing what is known to us
both. do you wish it were otherwise:"
wish it, Annette? The knowledge
that, under happier auspices. you
might have been mine could not be
other than most precious assurance"
Il cannot give you that consolation"
Then you do not love me, Annette 2"
An indignant flash broke from those
uplifted eyes.
DO you imagine me so base or yet
SO weak as to love the affianced hus.
band of anotherv'
But If l were free, Annette" per-
sisted Darwin, "what would your an
swer be them"
1.-THE same as tonight-that l do not
love you, Mr.. Darwin"
AS is often the case, the prize that
he thought was his to take or to leave
rose in value as it receded from his
| grasp.
Listen to me, Annette. | will break
my engagement with Miss Burt for
your sake. What better proof can I
give you Of my sincerity than this?"
What better proof can you give me
Of your fickleness and perfidy? What
reason have to suppose that you will
be more faithful to me THAI to her?
My answer is the same now as be-
| FORE"
AS Oscar Darwin passed down one
path toward the road Philip Jarvis
came up by another to the porch where
Annette was still standing.
"Mr. Darwin has been here, Philip"
Philip turned searching look upon
that sweet, thoughtful face.
II thought l obtained glimpse of
him as l came up"
Il found out two things while he was
here"
What were they?'
zone Is that do not love him."
There was something in Annette's
face that made Philips heart beat fast.