The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1908-03-20

Conrad became more fervent. II was
as II he fastened after her, to draw
her back as often as she eluded him,
Il must 70 on" he said eNcitedly.
I've gone too far. now, not to put you
to the test, even II | make the blundcr
of my life I'm risking my whole hap.
piness my whole life, on the throw
cant live without you, and | wont.
It's a threat, If you LIKE know what
I'm saying You will have me, wont
you, Aimee"
There was a knock at the door.
Come in" she called welcoming
the delay Conrad rose In anger.
4 maid entered. bearing a letter.
which she put In Miss Alisons hand,
than left the room. In an instant
Aimee poise had asserted it's dom.
nation. She looked curiously at the
address.
You must answer me now" Con.
rad exclaimed.
She held the evelope in her slim.
tapcring fingers, delicatcly, as II re-
ceIving some subtle, sCntient impress.
sion. viii you excuse me for mo.
ment while read this letter." she
asked. trembling.
mo. | won't" he cried distracted.
ly. why should you trine with me
at a time like this? II you mean to
refuse me. you might at least do 1t
quickly and mercifully."
I'm not sure what | may dc" she
said softly. 1t may he better for
you If you wait, though | don't prom.
Use IL will. don't recognize this
handwriting at all, but somehow
have feeling that q will help me to
answer you. OF course though,
may be mistaken. | wish you'd let
me try 1t. 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, half.opened, her color changed,
I and her breath came faster. She read
/ the other one first, however:
! you herewith letter which would have
/ been sent many months ago. had | been
/ able to determine positively for whom It
| was intended. II was written by Lieut.
| Irene on the night OF the engagement
| In which he was killed He was prob
| ably compelled to fail in suddenly. be-
| fore he had time either to complete or
address the letter / attended Lieut..
! Tre,nc ia the field hospital. and was with
ln
ness for a little while ate. the operation
but had strength enough only to psk me
to deliver this letter. without being able
| to communicate the proper address. You
| will understand that II was a delicate
| matter to find the person for whom II
was meant as none of his friends knew
| OF your engagement to him. II was a.
most year before I was able to be sure
! that II was meant for you. ! hope that
| you viii forgive the delay and VIII be-
lieve me worthy OF his and OF your
confidence. MARGARET TABARD."
Miss Allison cast swift glance
| up the second sheet. Conrad had not
stirred. She held the penciled paper
to the light.
My Dear, Dear: l have only a few
| minutes. perhaps. before We go into aC-
| ..on. and some presentimcnt. which by
Tomorrow will probably prove to have
| been nervousness. makes me want to
| write a word to you before the fun COM
mences, 1t may be that | won't pull
through this time. The officers have been
picked OF in u rather nasty way, Of late
! so, In case anything should happen.
| there's one thing | want to tell you, II I
| could only know how 10 do II. In spite
OF all that has happened. 1t may be- pos
sIble that you don't quite rcalize just
how much | care for you, dear girl. II
may be moro than you think. It's 30
much more than | can realize. No one
ever can want you as much as | want
! you. but even more than that / want
you to be happy-in your own way. not
mine only, ! don't want my love ever
| to bind you or to come between any two
| solves you may iind at war with one an
! other. Your happiness is all / have to
care for In this world; IT'S your only
rival. II you asked me to kill you. |
could do It to make you happier. Az for
my own life. that's one OF the least
things I'd sacrifice. II Il would mako
you happier I'd even live, when dying
would be much easier So | hOpo youll
| Understand m" when | say that. II there's
ever any other man who can makr you
! happier than I, or can even make YOU
happy after I'm gone. my greatest hap
pincss Will he yours. Don't ever try to
hold yourself faithful TO memory for
my sake Believe me. this comes from
my heart: believe that II is MS well as |
can measure It, the height and the depth
Of nay love for YOU
wise as you are. and subtle as you
ere IN the mysteries Of love, I doubt
v you could ever quite stand this II |
should say 1t to you. face to face; you
might think | was lacking in strength
and intensity OF desire. but II | should
die. youll have time to think It over. and
you'il understand So I'll not send this
unless I'm pretty badly hurt There s
something about sorrow that"
Miss Allison looked up through her
tears to see Conrad watching her
from across the room. He came over
to her eagerly his eyes shining. al
took both her hands.
She spoke as steadily as she could.
making great effort to master her.
self Conrad saw her now. for the
first time. perhaps, struggling openly
with an oycrpowering emotion. She
had come into the light.
Il was right" she said, this letter
has helped me, and told me what my
answer should be. | have known, IN
my life, one truly magnanlmous man.
You have asked me II there were any