The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-04-04

Conrad became more fervent It was
as if he hastened after her, to draw
her back as often as she eluded him.
4 must 60 on" he said excitedly.
I've gone too far, now, not to put you
to the test, even II I make the blunder
Of my life. I'm risl1ing my whole hap
piness, my whole life. on the throw. |
can't live without you, and won't
It's threat. II you like-I know what
I'm saying You will have me, won't
you, Aimee?"
There was knock at the door.
Come int" she called, welcoming
the delay Conrad rose In anger
A maid entered, bearing letter,
which she put in Miss AlIison's hand,
than left -the room. In an instant
Aimees poiCe had asserted Its dom
nation She looked curiously at the
address.
You must answer me now!" Con.
rad exclaimed
She held the evelope In her slim,
tapering fingers, delicately, as II re-
ceiving some subtle, sentient impress
sion. "Will you excuse me for a mo-
ment while read this letter?" she
asked. tgsmbling.
NO WON'T" he cried, distracted
ly. Why should you trife with me
at time like this? II you mean to
refuse me, you might at least do 1t
quickly and mercifully"
I'm not sure what l may do" she
said softly. 1T may be better for
you If you wait, though l don't prom
ise It Will / don't recognize this
handwriting at ALL but somehow l
have feeling that 1t will help me to
answer you OF course, though,
may be mistaken. / wish you'd let
me try it, Conrad"
He walked to the other end Of the
room and stood, moodily, at the win
dow, looking out. She tore open the
envelope and found two Enclosures
At the sight Of one, as 1t fell upon her
lap, halfcpened, her color changed,
and her breath came faster. She read
the other one first, however:
MY Dear Miss Allison; / am sending
you herewith letter which would have
been sent many months ago, had been
able 10 determine positively for whom It
was intended. II was written BY Lieut..
IRENE on the night OF the engagement
/ In which ne was killed He was prob
ably compelled to fall In suddenly, be-
fore he had time either to complete or
address the letter / attended Lieut..
Irene In the field hospital, and was with
him till he died. He recovered conscious
ness for q little while after the operation,
but had strength enough only to ask me
to deliver this letter, without being able
to communicate the proper address, You
viii understand that 1t was a delicate
matter to find the person for whom It
was meant, as none Of his friends knew
of your engagement to him 1t was al
most year before I was able to be sure
that it was meant for you. / hope that
you will forgive the delay and will be-
lieve me worthy OF his and of your
confidence. MARGARET TABARD."
Miss Allison cast swift glance
towards the window before she took
up the second sheet. Conrad had not
stirred. She held the penciled paper
10 lhe hsht.
My Dear, Dear: have only a few
minutes, perhaps, before we go into ac-
tion, and some presentimeat which by
tomorrow Will probably prove to have
been nervousness, makes me want to
write word to you before the fun COM
mences. It may be that I won't pull
through this time. The officers have been
picked of In rather nasty way of late.
So, in case anything should happen.
there's one thing want to tell you, IL
could only know how to do II. In spite
OF ali that mas happened, It may be pos
sible that you don't quite realize just
how much care for you. dear girl. II
may be more than you think. It's SO
much more than I can realize. No one
ever can want you as much as I want
you, but even more than that, I want
you to be happy-in your own way, not
mine only. l don't want my love ever
selves Se Won nav a And dat at var with @ one an. an.
other Your happiness is all have tc
care for in this world; it's your only
,s Ilsas II you asNeu me % XII you,
INV NV own life that's one Of the leasl
things I'd sacrifice. II It would make
you happier ia even live, when dyine
@Ur ~ us" s ben .ay tbat Og II there. 1
ever any other man who can make YOU
happier than I, or can even make you
nhpps saigR an, = gp"s pnr y ersrst evs ~ s
hold yourself faithful. to 1 memory FOL
my sakel Believe me- this comes from