Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-29

81 tried to protest, but she would not lsten
and l fell to kissing her hand that still lay in
mine l would have soothed hurt child. She
understood and let me kiss it.
"T see-you are sorry for me for you think
that mine must be always a sorrowful, lonely
lfe-as 1t seems to me now, but know better
Have you not read of good women and brave
men who have given up all things that they val
ued most, without murmur for duty's sake?
So give you up. You are young and you have
/ hope long life before you; and l believe
time will come when, hearing of your prosperity
and happiness, and that you are doing well, what
part be assigned you by the loving Father,
will be neither lonely unhappy"
"Tears which did not disgrace my manhood
were streaming down my cheeks as she thus
spoke, disclosing the nobility of her character
the loving heart which prompted such ennobling
sentiments, such sacrifice of self. After little
1 spoke again.
"'Forgive, dear Marguerite. my presumption.
I see l am not worthy of you and yet l ask
again as the most priceless gift you could give
me-save your love-this precious hand ask
you again to be my wife and help me lead the
noble life you have pictured for me-
"She moved her bowed head restlessly from
side to side silently denying my suit would
not be put off thus.
"I asked you, dear-if you loved me-for one
good reason for rejecting me- You have not given
one that I am willing to accept. There can be
but one,' l continued, after pause, loosing her
nand, for sudden fear assailed me-
"Marguerite? I asked Have you told all? Are
you Withholding any confidence from me-?
her body was shaken with sudden apprehension.
""Tell me all-al' demanded. will be salts
fed with nothing less She drew herself away
from me as if smitten by a blow; raising her
startled eyes to mine she whispered
"'All? What else there be?' Rising, stood
before her and asked:
Marguerite, deep down in your heart are you
harborng a spark of love for that man which you
fear might kindle into a blaze If he should again
your path?
"She looked at me for moment in silence,
astounded. Springing to her feet her whole body
quivering with excitement, her face transfgured
with horror pressing both hands to her temples as
IL to still the blood racing madly from her heart
to her brain, she exclaimed:
Love?ELove?-I hate him! l loathe him!
hve but to kill him! You ask If am withholding
any condolences from you? am-but 1t concerns
Tno one but myself" Locking her hands she began
pacing the sward deeply offended feared Fol
lowing asked forgiveness Finally she spoke to
me.
"Listen. When my mother her dying bed
acquainted me with his perfdy 1t seemed so mon
strous that I could scarce believe It, lay like
dead for weeks, and prayed for death When
the life currents again began feebly to fill my
veins, and they said l would live l prayed for
life; life to avenge my mothers death, and my
o,on diShonor. My purpose l withhold from you,
nothing else; I have mission unaccomplshed.
Until 1t Isl have no room in my heart for love,
and pleasantness Now you know ALL
Taking her in my arms again, l answered
calmly: 4 know all. First and best of all, know
that no one else has one atom of your love; that
only this man stands between you and me. Is 1T
not so? She bent her head. Joyfully continued:
"'Did not say that it was bogy you had set
up? You do not even know whether he is living
or dead Why then should we waste our goodly
lives with so much promise of happiness in them,
upon this bogy? No, no. dear one there are better
things in store for both of us than that. Give to
me this hand vowed to vengeance, and your vow
will become my vow; your oath my oath; and
there will still be room enough in both of our