The newspaper., 1909-12-03

rWhat do you mean" I asked,
startled. But Louise was literal
He didn't come back that night"
she said, "and it was so important
that I should see him"
II believe he has gone away" l re-
piled uncertainty. Isn't it something
that we could attend to instead?"
But she shook her head. u must do
1t myself" she said DULY.
Halsey came to the door at that mo-
ment and / could hear him coaxing
Liddy for admission to the sick room.
Shall | bring him in?" l asked
Louise, uncertain what to do. The
girl seemed to shrink back among
her pillows at the sound Of his voice.
was vaguely irritated with her;
there are few young fellows like Hal
observation-disclosures honest and will
ing to sacrifice everything for the one
woman. / knew one once. more than
30 years ago. who was like that; he
died long time ago. And sometimes
take out his picture, with its cane
and it's queer silk hat. and look at it.
But of late years it has grown too
painful; he is always boy-and l am
an old woman. ! would not bring him
back IL could.
Perhaps it was some such mem
ory that made me call out sharply.
Come in, Halsey." And then I took
my sewing and went into the boudior
beyond. to play propriety- I did not
try to hear what they said, but every
word came through the open door with
curious distinctness. Halsuy had evil
IDENTIFY gone over to the bed and l
suppose he kissed her. There was ST.
lence for a moment, as If words were
superhuous things.
Il have been almost wild, sweet
eart."-Halsey's voice. why didn't
you trust me. and send for me be-
fore?"
1T was because couldn't trust my
self" she said in a low tone. Il am
too weak to struggle to-day. oh. Hal
sey. how | have wanted TO see you,"
There was something ! did not hear.
then Halsey again.
We could go away" he was say
ing. What does II matter about any
one in the world but just the two Of
US? To be always together, like this.
hand in hand; Louise-don't tell me
it isn't going TO be. / won't believe
you"
You don't know: you don't know" +"
Louise repeated duly. "Halsey. I care
you know that-but-not enough to
marry you"
That is not true. Louise he said
sternly. You cannot look at me with
Il cannot marry you" she repeated
miserably. Its bad enough. Isn't it7
Don't make it worse. Some day. be
fore long. you will be glad"
Louise, oh. don't believe IT,"
1t is true she said sadly ~Halsey.
you must not try TO see me again. As
soon as can. ! am going away from
here-where you are all so much kind.
er than I deserve And whatever you
hear about me. try TO think as well
OF me as you can. | am going to mar
ry-another man How you must hate
me-hate me-"
could hear Halsey cross the room
to the window. Then. after a pause,
he went back to her again. could
hardly sit still: wanted to go in
and give her good shaking.
Then it's all over. he was saying
with a long breath The plans We
made together. the hopes. the-all OF
it-over, Well. I'll not be a baby,
and Fll give you up the minute you
say 1 don't love you and | do love
some one else,'"
Il can not say that she breathed
but. very soon I shall marry-the
other man"
could hear Halsey's low trium
plant laugh.
Il defy him. re said Sweetheart
as long as you care for me. I am no,
afraid
The wind slammed the door between
the two rooms just then, and could
hear nothing more. although | moved
my chair quite close After a dis
Greet interval. ! went into the other
room and found Louise alone. She
was staring with sad eyes at the
cherub painted on the ceiling over the
| bed. and because she looked tired
! did not disturb her.