The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1909-04-02
CHAPTER XXI.

E T. 1ss k1osA 50 E@ E@sA
tary."
CHAPTER XXI.
Slowly Lorraine turned over the sheets
Of the Times when she reached the Ii
hrary. not anxious for the intelligence
walch could never have affected her i'm
any way, but simply to distract her mind
from this vague foreboding which had
seized her. And when she reached the
lasE word Of all. she laid the paper back
upon the table. LEI her arms fall upon 1t,
and her head upon them.
Athol We're entered the room, and stood
a moment i~rrcsolate, heartsick 10 see the
aiser despondeacy OF her attitude, She
raised her wet face. startled at the sound
Of his stess. and then his momentary res
CLINTON Of leaving her vanished.
Your father sent me to lock at the
papers" iae said. II did not know any
one was here, 50 | did not knock. Ior-
ralne. my darling little friend. how 1t
grleves me- 10 see you in grief"
She tried 10 keep back the tears while
she greeted him, but the very sight of his
sympathy and pain renewed them, and
her head dropped again. and her tears
fell bot and quick.
Dear he said, softly. laying his hands
upon her hair, Il wish I might comfort
you. | wish | could"
For be knew that such a sorrow as he
had seen upon her face in that glance
was born of a love which he had failed
70 win through all bis life's devotion, and
be knew, too, that Ii was borne not for
herself alone
"fon do comfort me .iways-always.
1t always comforts me 10 hear you or to
see you-it always did,"
My pet THE old name which had.
from his lips, been her childhood's one
caress. slipped from them now uncon-
sciously. as he took her burning hands
and held them tightly in his own-"my
pet, You know why this IS so, because you
know how / have loved You all my life"
Yes. Athol, / KNOW" she answered.
her hands burning In his, her face full of
a sad longing to do right. II have al
ways known. But why did not you make
me listen to you long ago? Oh. Athol.
IL You had, it would have saved so much
and now"
Now is it too late!"
"Athol," she said, the color mounting
slowly to her face, her eyes wide and
wistful. "let there be nothing but truth
between Us. From you it always has
been truth but IL want you to know
1t now from me-"
Il do know It." he answered very low.
For deep in hia soul the iron had entered
long ago. and he would spare her all he
could.
Are yon sare. Afhol? Are you sure
You understand exactlyf" she asked visit
fully, but with a great tightening of her
heart to think she need not speak of
konrke.
Yes: all, I think
..Then, Afnol, do you not see how far
| am from being worthy to take such a
love as you have lavished on me as long
as | can remember: Because"
"Becausei" be questioned gently.
"Becanse what | could give you Is only
a troubled, tired heart"
Gould you give me that. Lorraine?''
Willingly. IL 1t were worth giving.
Yon deserve a love so different, Athol
a first, last, only love. | should only
come to you for a rest"
You mean what you sayf" he asked
You can rest In my love?'
.Athol, you know me better, be-
iievc, even than | know myself; but /
do not think that even you can know
what q rest 1t would be for me to feel
that You would take me as l am. and let
me always feel your love and care about
me-. knowing how 1t has BEEN"
You could Gre me your last love,
though you could not give me the first
or only one"
"Athol." shs said most earnestly. my
heart has never done anything but fight
against-that lore you know OF, which
lived always, always. against my will. No
love has ever been good for me but yours /;
and when I have--if l have ever pictured
happiness to come into my life, II has
never been With mean. 10 one has ever
shared In my thoughts the future left to
me-"
"My darling. my darling" For an in
slant she Was startled by the flash of
passionate JOY which brought the words
rushing from his lips and the scarlet TO
his face Then she saw the old quietness
steal back once more. Lorraine. my
child. II this Ii pity--pi'y either for
Itourke or for me-you may be sorry af-
terNard. Shall we wait aud seeY''
II shall never be sorry, Atrol.o she
said II have always cared too much for
you for that-always. II you can have
patience with me-morc patience now
even than you have always had-and II