The Prescott daily news., 1908-03-09

AAA 'hN way want 10 De. | mean. l want you for my own self must have you, to keep, to protect to 93ess, How else could any man 1e no really loved you as you should be loved-any man with heart worth having?"
 How else indeed?" she said. ireamily That's what I'm wonder ing. Yet there might be a better way even than that"
 As she had grown more remote Conrad became more fervent. It was as if he hastened after her, to draw her back as often as she eluded him.
 ''I must go on." he said excitedly. I've gone too far, now, not to put you to the test, even if I make the blunder of my life. I'm risking my whole hap piness, my whole life, on the throw I cant live without you, and l won't. It's a threat, if you like-I know what I'm saying. You will have me, won't you, Aimee?"
 He was leaning forward, almost touching her face with his cheek, as he spoke. Several times she had tried to stop what was coming to gain more time to think; but it was out now. and time for her to answer. He had thrown the question at her like a searchlight, that she might be re- vealed at last, and she feared that revelation. She feared to know, her self, what she would say. The old pang smote her. and she fought 1t back. Could she repel 1t now for ever?
 There was knock at the door.
 Come in" she called. welcoming the delay. Conrad rose in anger.
 A maid entered, bearing a letter, which she put in Miss Allson's hand, than left the room. In an instant Aimee's poise had asserted its dom nation. She looked curiousy at the address.
 You must answer me now!" Con rad exclaimed
 She held the evelope in her slim, tapering fingers, delicately, as if re- ceiving some subtle, sentient impress sion Will you excuse me for a mo ment while I read this letter." she asked. trembling.
 No I won't" he cried, distracted ly. Why should you trife with me at time like this? If you mean to refuse me, you might at least do it quickly and mercifully"
 I'm not sure what l may do" she cnid hn you if you wait, though l don't prom ise 1t will. l don't recognize this handwriting at all, but somehow have a feeling that 1t will help me to answer you. Of course. though. may be mistaken. 1 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 inclosures- At the sight of one, as 1t fell upon her lap, half-opened, 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 l been able to determine positively for whom it was intended. IL was written by Lieut.. | Irene on the night of the engagement in which he was killed. He was prob ably compelled to fall in suddenly, be- fore he had time either to complete or address the letter l attended Lieut.. Irene in the field hospital and was with him till he died. He recovered conscious ness for 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 will understand that it was a delicate matter to find the person for whom 1t was meant. as none of his friends knew of your engagement to him. II was al- most year before l was able to be sure that IL was meant for you. I hope that you will forgive the delay and will be- | lieve me worthy of his and of your | confidence. MARGARET TABARD." ." 1 Miss Allison cast swift glance l towards the window before she took up the second sheet Conrad had not stirred She held the penciled paper to the light
 My Dear Dear: l have only few minutes. perhaps. before we go into ac- ton, and some presentiment. which by tomorrow will probably prove to have | been nervousness, makes me want to write a word to you before the fun com mences. IL may be that l won't pull through this time, The officers have been l picked off in rather nasty way, of late So, in case anything should happen | there's one thing l want to tell you, if I | could only know how to do it. In spite f of all that has happened 1t may be pos l sihle that you don't quite realize just how much l care for you, dear girl. It may be more than you think. It's so much more than I can realize. No one ever can want you as much as | want