The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-06-03


What has crept in between us2 T.
the innocent courage sustaining her
81 have not changed. except a little in
in the way you wished. Have your"
mo" he said in an altered voice
"Then what is it? ! have been-you
have left me so much alone this win
ter, and supposed | understood
"My work" he said. but she scarce
~ knew the voice for his.
81 know; you have had no time
know that. ought 10 know IL by this
time, for | have told myself often
enough. Aud yet when we are to-
gether II is-it has been different.
Can you tell me why2 DO you think
me changedr'
"You must not change" he said.
The mounting sea Of passion swept
him. He turned on her unsteadily. his
hands clinched. not daring TO touch her.
Shame. contrition. horror that the dam.
nge was already done, all were forgot
ten. Only the deadly grim duty Of the
moment held him back
Dear" he said. because ! am un.
help me, and God help us sothp
"Tell me-" she said steadily. but Il
was fear that stllled her voice. She
laid one slim hand on the table. bear.
1Dg down on the points Of her fingers
until the nails whitened but her head
was high and her eyes met his, straight,
unwavering
hn sol
stood there was something II II Is
trouble and see II is, bring II to me
II am the. woman you took me for.
give me my part In this. II Is the
quickest way TO my heart, Captain Sci
wyn. ask it."
"WhyY
Her eyes wavered, then returned his
gaze:
For love of you" she said, as white
ss death.
He caught his breath sharply and
Strengthened out. passing one hand
across his eyes. When she saw his
face again in the dim light II was
ghastly.
There was woman" he said, "for
spoke YEARLY, head bent, resting the
weight Of one arm on the table against
which she leaned. do you under
standT" he asked
"Yes. You mean-Mrs. Ruthven."
81 mean her. Afterward. when mat.
ters had altered, ! came home"
He raised his head and looked about
him in the darkness.
"Came home" he repeated. mo long.
er man-the shadow Of man. with
no hope. no outlook, no right TO hope"
He leaned heavily on the table, his
arm rigid, looking down at the floor as
be spoke
"No right 10 hope. Others told me
that ! still possessed that right !
knew they were wrong. | do not mean
that they persuaded me. persuaded
myself that after all, perhaps my
right TO hope remained TO me. per
suaded myself that | might be, after
ALL the substance, not the shadow"
He looked up NJ her.
"And so dared TO love you"
She gazed AT him, scarcely breathing,
"Then," he said, "came the awaken
sng My dream had ended"
She waited the lace on her breast
scarce stirring, so still she stood, so
pitifully still.
such responsibility cannot die while
those live who undertook II. be-
lieved II until desired 10 believe II no
longer"
He took one step toward her, and his
voice fell so low that she could Just
hear him.
"She has lost her mind, and the case
ts hopeless. Those 10 whom the laws
Of the land have given care Of her
turned on her, threatened her with dis
grace. And when one friend Of hers
halted this miserable conspiracy her
malady came swiftly upon her. and
suddenly she found herself helpless,
penniless abandoned, her mind already
Clouded and clouding faster Eileen,
was there then the shadow OF a doubt
as to the responsibility? ! dare not
utter one word Of love TO you. dare
not touch you. What chance Is there
Tor such man as ~
No Chancellor u.s. she whispered
SGo!"
For a second he stood motionless
then, swaying slightly, turned on his
heel.
And long after he had left the house
abe still stood there, eyes closed, col
orless lips set, her slender body quiv
ering, racked with the first fierce grief
Of woman's love for man.
I-A.A IN O%At