Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-12-31

L AooSAeu ~ oACe DeLore Wnen you
came back to him, in the time you have
forgotten. But I destroyed 1.-THE
words were very low now-"on nv
wedding day"
His hands released hers, and, looking
up, she saw, ever in the MOONLIGHT.
that with the last word his face had
gone CHASTITY white. At the sight timid-
ity, maidenly reserve, fell, and all the
woman In her rushed uppermost. She
lifted her arms and clasped his face.
Hugh" she cried, cant YOU remem-
Der? Don't you understand? Think.
1 was blind, dear, blind. A white
bandage was across my eyes, and you
came to me in a shaded room. Why
did you come to me-"
A spark seemed to dart through his
brain like the p~rickling discharge from
a Leyden jar. He saw himself stand
ing, facing a figure with bandaged
eyes. He saw the bandage torn off.
felt that yielding body in his arms,
heard a voice her voice crying:
Hugh, Hugh. My husband." and felt
those lips pressed to his own in the
tense air of a darkened room.
A cry broke from his lips: eyes, YES,
| remember. J~essica, my wife, His
arms Went round her, and, with a little
sob, she nestled close to him on the
doorstep.
~
That hour on the mountain side un-
der the stars had left Harry possessed
OF Il melee of p~erpleXing emotions.
Dreaming and waking Jessica's face
hung before his eyes, her voice sound.
ed in his ear. The future held no long.
er any doubt; it held only her. Where
was that future to be? Back in the
city to which lis painful curiosity had
so lately driven him? This lay no
longer in his own choice. 1t was for
her to decide now-Jessica. his wife.
He looked up transfixed, for she
stood there before him ankle deep in a
brown whirlwind of leaves from A
frost stung oak, her hand to her cheek
in an adorable gesture that he knew,
her lips parted and eager.
81 wanted so to find YOU" she said.
Il have so many, many things to say"
ut is all wonderfully strange and
new" be said. "It is as though l had
rubbed Aladdin's lamp and suddenly
had my hearts desire. How could /
have thrown my pearl away"
wv are not to think of that" she
protested, never. eve any more"
You are right" he rejoined cheer
fully. "It is what is to come that we
must think of" He paused an instant:
then he said:
LAS night when you told me of the
white house in the aspens 1 did not tell
you that I had just come from there
from Aniston."
She made an exclamation of wonder.
Tell me-" she said.
Sitting with her hand in his. he told
Of that nights experiences, the fear
that had held him as he gazed at her
portrait in the library. the secret of
the Korean desk that had solaced his
misery and sent him back to the ia
Their be vas not to see.
At mention Of the will she threw out
her hand with a passionate gesture.
THE money is not mine!!' she cried.
"It is yours. He intended to change
it. He told me so the day he died!
Oh, if you think r.
mo, no. he said gently. There is
no resentment, no false pride, in my
love, Jessica. l am thinking of you
and of Aniston. You would have me
go back, would you not?"
She looked up, smiling, and slowly
shook her head. You are a blind
guesser." she said. Don't you think
l know what is in your mind: Not
Aniston. Hugh. Some time. but no
now-not yet. 1t is nearer than that"
His eyes flowed into hers. You un
derstand. Yes, it is here. This is
where l must finish my fight first.
Yesterday l would have left Smoky
mountain forever because you We're
here. Now
81 will help YOU" she said. "All
the world besides counts nothing if
only we are together. l could live in
a cabin here on the mountain always,
in a forest Of Arden, till l grow old
and want nothing but that-and you"
AS he did not answer, she faced him
with crimsoning cheeks; then, reading
his look, she suddenly threw her arms
about his neck.
Hugh" she cried, I'VE belong to
each other now. There is no one else
to consider. is there? l want to be to
you what l haven't been-to bear
things with you and help you"
He kissed her eyes and hair. you
nave helped. you do help me. Jessica"
he urged. But l an jealous for your
love. 1t must not be offended. The
town of Smoky Mountain must not
sneer-and it would sneer now"
LET it," she exclaimed resentfully.
"As if I would care!"
But 1 would care" he said softly.
Il want to climb a little higher first"
She was silent a moment, her fingers
twisting the fallen leaves. You don't
want them to know that l am your
wife"
mot yet-tll l can see my way"
She nodded and smiled, and the