The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1908-01-25

VIE IL must not be his privilege to
comfort her. Il must be cross to you
or 1 shall be something that 1 may
regret later" he answered unsteadily.
Meeting her challenging gaze with
his true unshrinking eyes, he said:
Il drifted into paradise l thought, but
it was all mistake. must learn to
forget you. Yvonne."
why do you say these thing to
me?" she tortured him by asking.
He answered with his eyes, not
daring to trust his voice. BY a light.
ed match he looked at his watch.
Twelve o'clock. Yvonne."
II don't care, do your" she answer
ed. desperately.
Hrs voice was low and caressing, as
he answered: II do not care for my
self, Of course, but 1 care for your
sake. Your reputation must not suf-
fer through any act of mine-dear."
The word slipped out unconsciously.
Storm bit his lips angrily.
He had reached the stairway: Good
night and good bye, l shall probably
leave the steamer before you are
awake" he said.
Good night. but not good bye. Come
to my home tomorrow night for that"
she urged in low voice. giving him
her address.
At $3.50 p. m. an electric cab drew
up in front of palatial apartment on
Riverside drive. Storm alighted and
paced nervously up and down the
drawing room. Yvonne's husband
would probably thank him for his
friendliness to her in the crossing. Of
fer him the conventional cigar and
Yvonne farewell, and that would be
the end.
A very lovely Yvonne came to meet
him. She stood at the entrance of
her coy boudoir wearing white,
soft gown as dainty and clinging as
the wearer itself.
Il have been awfully miserable. my
friend" she said. with real tears In
her eyes, stretching both hands out
in welcome to him. II was SO afraid
you wouldn't come after l had asked
you to-
mot Ill. hope!" he exclaimed. a
glad light springing into his eyes as
he realized how beautiful she was.
Eyes. sick at heart" What could yo,,
have thought Of me last night? l
don't believe q woman should do one
of those terrible things told you that
l approved of. ! simply believe that
woman should love and be true to
her husband"
"As IL didn't understand that gu
were Just pretending" he said con-
solingly. rolling divan for her near
the drowsy fire and taking his seat
beside her. as she drew aside her
skirts for him.
my friend. l think must have said
those idiotic things because I was SO
foolishly happy. told you an untruth
too" she confessed with a naivete
that amused him lnstinctively he
glanced at her left hand. 1t was guilt.
less of wearing wedding ring.
With thrill that caught his breath,
he took her In his arms. crying:
You are free to love me! Free to
be my wife!"
Then every other sensation was lost
in the rapture OF holding her to his
breast.
Yes. Lloyd. free. I have been Wild
owed for two years. Some imp Of
mischief possessed me when l trified
with you. but ! have been SO sorry. SO
miserable ever since. It was this way.
didn't want you to propose on the
steamer and I knew that you meant
to. wanted to keep you OF SO
made that ring very noticeable and
quoted those horrible things. Dear.
didn't look my best in those travel
ing toys and there were SO many pee
pie happening around. The whole
truth Is. Lloyd. wanted to be taken
by Storm here and Just in this idea.
way" Putting her bare arms about
his neck she drew his face down to
her blushins one. kiss me . hun.
dred times for releasing you from
probation" she demanded.