The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1908-12-09
OF the watT "a


help it. l never knew before what so
ciety could do for fellow. He's got
a society nurse. and he is visited by a
society despot."
do you think he will be able to do
any more fighting? VIII he be strong
enough?"
II don't see why. The government
won't let him do it, that's all. He can
claim pension and get out Of service
with an honorable discharge-and may
be medal. He'll be strong enough.
however. That fellow could go on a
hike inside Of a month"
81 suppose Wen all be going home
before long. This war is about over"
growled Hardin.
mo sirree Wen be fighting these
fellows for ten years. All, there's your
daughter, colonel. Good day"
With the first returning strength,
freed from lassitude and stupor, Gray
don began whispering joyous words of
love to Jane. His eyes were bright
with the gladness that his pain had
brought. She checked his weak out
bursts at first, but before many days
had passed she was obliged to resort
to firInness that shocked him into a
resentful silence. She was even harsh
in her command. 1t cut her to the
quick to hurt him, but she was steel
ing herself against the future.
When he was able to walk out In the
grounds she withdrew farther into the
background Of their daily life. He
hungered for her, but she began to
avoid him with strange aloofness that
brought starvation to his heart While
she was ever attentive to his wants,
her smile lacked the tenderness he had
known in the days of danger. and her
face was strangely somber and white.
"Jane," he said to her one day as he
came In from his walk and laid down
his crutches, this can't go on any
longer. What is the matter? Don't
you love me-not at allT
She stood straight and serious be
fore him, white to the lips, her heart
us cold as ice.
II love you, Graydon, with all my
soul. shall always love you. Please.
please, don't ask any more of me.
You understand, don't you? We can
not be as We once were-never. That
is ended. But you-you must know
that love YOU"
ut is sheer madness, dearest to
take that attitude What else in the
world matters so long as we love one
another? / felt at first that l could
- 10 Ha NV ruffa QffnT hat
my father did that night. That was
as silly Of me as this is Of you.
did not contend long against my love.
You have never been out OF my mind
night or day. l was tempted more
than once to desert but that was Inn
possible, you know. 1t was the ter
rible eagerress to go back to you and
! compel you to be mine. My father did
you Il grave wrong. He
"But my father did me a graver
wrong Graydon. I have thought it
all out"
Nonsense. dearest. You have saved
my life. You must save my love.
These last few weeks have knit our
lives together so completely that nei-
Their of us has the right to change
Gods evident purpose. love you for
yourself Jane. That is enough.
There has not been an instant in
which | have felt that any circum-
stance could alter my hope to marry
you. You say you have no name.
You forget that you may have mine
dearest. and it is not much to be
proud Of l fear, in the light Of GER
tain things. You must be my wife
Jane"
"I cannot, GraydOn. That is final.
Don't-don't plead. dear. 1t will not
avail. Look into my eyes. Don't you
see that mean it, Graydon|
"By heaven, Jane, your eyes are
living TO me! You can't mean what Is
back of them. It's cruel; It's wrong.
flush! You must not become ex
cited You are far from strong. and
am still your nurse. Be-
you are my life; you are every
thing. can't give you up. It's ridicu
lous to take this stand. BE sensible
Look at it from my point Of view"
There is only one point of view, anC
love has nothing to do with it, Come
let Us talk of something else. Have
you heard from your-your father
Does he know you've been iniuredE'
lie looked long into her tense face
ard then muttered. with the suIlcn de
spair of the sick: 81 don't know. I've
had DO worl from any one
"The dispatches have doubtless giver
your name One of the Chicago CORE
spondcnts was talking about YOU re
Gently Your father win surely writ,
to YOU now
care YOU eager TO have him do so?
should think you'd hate his name.
can't help caring for dad, Jane. | treC
to curse him. but ne really has beer
good to me. / don't see how he car
have done the things they say he's
done"
There may be mistake"