The Columbus journal., 1910-05-25

lrtifciality of it all wearied me: more
and more deeply l realized the sordid
manner in which I had been sold. and.
| grew to hate these things which had
purchased NE. 1t was not Lord OAR
linStOn-he was more father than hus-
band. humoring me in every way. and
secretly resretful for his part in the
transaction. became i'll. begged for
the sea. and We went aboard in his
yacht He was not unwilling. but to
my mother it proved a constant hard
ship Only her anxiety to prevent any
rupture between us caused her to go
on beard. Yet even when l had re-
covered health would not go back:
that life would have killed Inc. Out
in the open l could breathe and live:
it yielded me courage to continue as
I was"
She bent forward. bringing her face
once again into the revealing moon
light. her eyes frankly open to mine.
Il only wish I could make you re-
alize how drearily lonely that life be-
came. There was no knowledge of
love to complicate the situation. and at
first l even felt a sense OF gratitude
toward Lord Darlington for many acts
of kindness and the consideration
shown me. This changed. however. as
I began slowly to comprehend the self
ishness of his motives-that his &C
tons arose merely from a certain
pride in my youthful appearance and
the advantages to be derived from my
wealth. My mother soon alienated my
affections by always aliying herself
with him. Finally had no one to
whom l could turn for comfort or ad
vice. l felt entirely alone. and grew
silent. suspicious. and adverse to all
social pleasures. The VOWS of mar
riage rested lightly on Lord Darling
ton. but for that did not greatly care.
except that the knowledge snapped
the last weak bond between us. Al
most wild to escape from Europe and
its torturinG memories finally
planned an extensive yachting trip
around the world. was impulsive.
headstrong. even hopeful that I might
he permitted to invite a few corgenial
friends and sail alone To my surprise
Lord Darlington expressed pleasure
in the idea. and even persuaded my
mother to accompany u.s."
/ Her face sank suddenly into her
hands. her body trembling.
Il bore ii all smilingly. and enjoyed
the sea. But l was a woman now. bit
terly resenting the manner in which
| had been bartered in the matri-
monial market. l knew nothing of
love. except as l perceived 1t in the
lives of others. but I was hungry.
starving for it. We arrived at Val
pa-aiso: this strange adventure &C.
Cured to me. and-then l met you"
Her hands went out again to me,
and I caught them eagerly.
'That-that day in the cabin. T.
knew you for one Of my own class:
knew you for a true man. a gentle
man: IL read the love in your eyes.
and I should have been an angel not
TO have welcomed it. Oh. God knows
I tried not to do so! I prayed for
help to resist my own heart, but the
help was not given me. Now I COM
prehend it was not meant that I should
resist. The end was in sight even from
the beginning. Love is more than
ceremony, and can make even death
sweet. I have no sense Of evil as
look into your eyes; I have come into
my inheritance. the rightful inheri-
lance Of every woman-love. Even II
it is only for a day. it is nine-mine
by the gift Of God. Oh. Jack. Jack. I
have waited SO long, SO long. and now
all / can say. all I desire to say. is.
love YOU"
Oh, that scene! that desolate.
dreary. God-forsaken. hopeless scene
the heaving waters. the cold sky. the
ice-gleam, the awful expanse Of bar
renness all about. Did ever love come
to mortal before or since In such .