The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-12-03

ncss that made ncr DO it--if she did
it. ! say"
What | couldn't stand about her
was that. after she was acquitted.
she calmly proved his will aud took
his money He couldn't have been
such a very bad chap, for he left her
all he had"
lie couldn't take 1t with him."
she aid Erimly.
do you know what became of
hcr?"
She disappcarod--I suppose she
is an outcast forever"
"Well! Crime or no crime, she
hasn't gained happiness yet"
People never gain it: they only
pursue it."
by heaven," he said with sud
den emotion. what an awful thing
to be that woman"
But there are so many awful
things In the world" she said ITS
Just a chance which variety we
draw"
You must have suffered horri-
bly," he said uneasily, ito speak as
you have done tonight
Perhaps"
Anyhow, you're not as badly OF
as the Waylett woman Is, II she did
It. mean you've nothing on your
mind"
No" she said, IL suppose not.
have certainly done nothing that
would not do over again; though
suppose we have all done some
things that we regret" She looked
over her shoulder in the odd way
that characterized her. as If she were
half afraid OF the dark. But some
times we do such desperate things
to gain happiness" she said almost
IN whisper. "only to lose its possi-
bility. We are like slaves who make
desperate struggle for freedom.
end only make their captivity
worse"
why do you harp so much on
happiness? | wish you would tell me
about yourself" he said suddenly.
us it--I mean. you have cared for
someone?"
NO" she said in low voice. Il
have never loved any one" she hest
tated almost as II she were going to
say before" and chose her words
carefully. "in the way you mean-in
my whole life. Perhaps that is real
ly the tragedy OF it."
Wont you trust me?" he said
hoarsely. I'VE have known each
other only few days. but we have
hurried years into them. | feel to-
ward you as never felt yet toward
human woman. but when reach out
to you In my thoughts It is into the
unknown or the darkness"
Into the darkness?" she echoed
Tell me about yourself" he said
passionately. He rose and pulled
her from her seat, and putting his
arm about her waist drew her gently
toward the end of the ship. II was
dark and none could hear. Trust
me with your whole life. Tell me
If l may care for you, If you could
ever come 10 think of me. 1t is
such a little while since we met, but
we are not strangers. feel as II
We had started out from opposite
ends of the world to meet each
other"
Il have felt it too" and, as If
against her WILL she drew closer TO
him.
Il love YOU" he said. Il swear
love you"
A little sound came from her lips
She put her arms up softly around
his neck.
Il think it is killing me-" she
answered.
Mono. 1t is all right" he an
swered, I'VE are not fools. we can't
have made n mistake. We love each
other and there Is no reason why we
should not"
Love you," she said, II feel as
II ! stood by heavens open door
bat l shall never enter it."
You will, You shall, We will
walk its whole length together. Oh.
my beloved woman. whom God has
given me-" But she only shuddered
at his words.
God will take me from YOU" she
said.
Why should He be so cruel?"
Say you love me, say 1t again.
1t goes through me-" she said des-
parately.
II love you" he repeated. 81 love
YOU" and he held her in his arms
and kissed her long and slowly.
while he felt as II the world stood
still to let them drink deep of love.
Suddenly through the darkness they
heard footsteps.
who is it," she cried starting.
1T is only the captain" Travers
said. How nervous you are,"
He frightened me-" she whisper
ed. Il Thought"
"A dark night" the captain said
cheerily doesn't look as II we
should be at Genoa in the morning.
does it?"
What time do We get in?"
About seven. | hope, and out