Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-12-15

BECAUSE LOVE YOU"
She had not dared to hope for such
unqualified success, nor had she fore.
iocD the tragic outcome. she had sim.
ply carried her plan through to its
natural conclusion. Now that her
work was done she gave way COM
plctcly and wcpt like Il little girl He
was out there now with his love
They would never waste thought
upon that other girl who had made
their happiness possible. The thought
was almost more than she could bear
Never again could she have Boyd to
herself never enjoy his careless friend.
ship rs Of old. Even that was over
now that he knew the truth.
The first and only kiss he had ever
given her burned fresh upon her lips
She recalled that evening they had
spent alone in this very room, when he
had seemed to waver and her hopes
had risen at the dawning Of new
light In his eyes. At the memory she
rricd aloud as If her heart would
break:
Boyd, Boyd'
He entered noiselcssly and took her
In his arms.
Yes. dear" he murmured. Eut she
rose with a startled exclamation and
wrenched herself from his embrace.
The piano gave forth a discordant
crash. Shrinking back as from an ap-
partition, she stared into his flushed
md smiling face, then breathed
You. Why are you here!'
because l love you
She closed her eyes and swayed as il
under the spell of wonderful music.
He saw the ihyobbing pulse at her
throat. Then she flung out her hands,
crying piteously:
Go away, please, before ! find it is
only another dream"
She raised her lids to find him still
standing there, then felt him with iiut-
tering fingers.
Our dreams have come true" be
said gently and strove to imprison her
hand.
NO, no. Her voice broke wildly.
You don't mean 1t. You--you haven't
come to stay"
Il have come to stay If you will let
me, dear
She broke from his grasp and moved
quickly away.
"N'hy are you here? left you ont
there with-her. made your way
clear. Why have YOU come back?
What more can do? Dear God. what
more can ! doT' She was painting as
If desperately frightened.
There IS hut one thing more You can
do to make me happy. You can be my
wife,
but don't understand" She shook
her head hopclessly. You are iesiins
with me. You love Miss Wayland."
NO, Miss Waylard leaves tonight,
and shall never see her again
Then you won't marry beri'
mp"
A duh colcr rose 70 cherry Ma!otte's
checks. She swallowed rs If her throat
were very dry and said slowly:
Then she refused you in spite OF
everything and you have como to me
because of what l tod You this after
noon. You are doing this oht OF pity,
or Is it because you are angry with
her? No, no, Boyd. won't have it.
don't want your pity; | don't want
what she cast Off"
1T has taken me long time 10 find
myself, Cherry. for have been blind
ed by vision" he answered. Il have
been dreaming, and never saw clear
~ till today. came away Of my own
free will. and | came straight TO y%,
because it is you love and shall al
ways love"
The girl suddenly began to beat her
hands together
"Nou-forget what l-have BEEN
she cried in a voice that tore her
lovers heartStrings. You can't want
to-marry me-"
Tonight" he said simply and held
out his arms to her. II love You ana
| want you. That Is all know or care
about"
He found her upon his breast. sob
bling and shaking as if she had sought
|
He buried his face in the soft masses
Of her hair, Whispering fondly to her
TIL her emotion spent itself. She turn
ed her face shyly up ut length and
pressed her lips to his. Then, holding
herself away from him. she said. with
halr doubtful yet radiant look:
1T Is not too late yet. will give
you one final chance to save YOURSELF
lie shook his head
"Ihen | have done my duty" She
Struggled closer to him. "And you
! have no regretsT
"only one. | am sorry that l can't
give you moro than my name. may
nave to go out into the world and be-
GIN all over If Mr.. Wayland carries
out his threat l may be the poorest