Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1910-03-04


she said. She turned her face from
me, leaning heavily on the table, the
soft freight over her. Gould you
ever be sure of me? / have deceived
you so long
You must deceive neither yourself
nor me now" | said, seriously. 4
want the truth, whatever that is. Be
honest. Don't try to be kind to me.
You have had to make pretense so
long Think only of yourself now"
| waited for her reply but it was
long in coming, so long that my heart
sank.
If | am to be honest" she began,
Il must tell you that-that-"
Yes? Don't be afraid, dear"
THAT it would be foolish-foolish
for me toto try TOTO care for you,
for +"
Don't try to go on ! cried Il see.
| have been a fool to expect it"
A little sound of pain escaped her.
| pulled myself together with an
effort
you mustn't worry" | said, duly.
Il can't blame you, heaven knows!
! wouldn't have you come to me unless
you love me, you know that. And |
would rather go on-alone-than have
you give yourself to me through pity"
ooh, yes, yes!" she cried.
/ stared into the fire. | had
thought | was prepared!
Presently she began to speak again:
won't you let me finish, please? /
I want you to understand. 1t would
be foolish for me toto try to care
for you. because-because-"
ooh, don't try to ease it for mel"
broke in Il must learn to bear it.
Forgive me for being so long getting
myself In hand. You're not to blame
yourself, dear You never gave me
any reason to hope, but | did. | told
myself that | didn't but ! did-even
when | thought Ankony was going to
carry you off the next day, still
hoped 1t seemed to me that heaven
meant you should belong to me. and
that must have you. But there
there, don't look at me like that
and don't"
4 am going to flnish,' she said
resolutely. Let me go on"
Il wish you wouldn't" | urged
She sat down, bending to the fire.
could not see her eyes, but ! knew
they were misty, and the softness o.
her voice was indescribable.
Il couldn't try to care for you be
cause-because | have been-havt
been fighting for months-to-to qui
caring. Oh, why-Why will you be 81
dense?"
Barbara / cried, bending ovel
her
She put up a futile little hand be
} ture of the moment and caught her il
my arms
Wait" she pleaded.
My waiting is Overt" / breathed
ooh, look at me, dear one, and let mi
have the testimony of your eyes. In
afraid of your lips"
FOOLISH" Whispered she. iftinl
her eyes to mine. And then: Blu
oh, you are-Tom, Tom! you arr
crushing my beautiful new gown, AMI
tit did cost such pile with a lit
tie GREATNESS laugh.
"There will be plenty of othe
gowns, ! exclaimed, but never an
other moment quite like this
The fire did its best to be up to TIL
situation it cracked in a suddel
noisy glee and threw enchanting shad
oWs over Barbara's head as looks
down on it. Dams rheumatic oil
IL
awoke from his nap in the corner a
the moment and, coming to stretcl
himself on the hearth-rug, observes
something unusual going on, and, look
ing up inquiringly, brushed agains
Rarbara's skirts to attract her atter
ton.
The maids light steps passed dow
the hall and | heard the outer doc
open and a mans voice IN the vest
bule.
Its Ayerill,' | said Il shant s
t much mind having to give you up t
| him now"
i But he did not seem to enter int
the moment with her
: "Oh, it has been SO hard" she whis
S pered, little half sob breaking til
' sweetness of her voice There wer
times when | thought | should never
:. never be able to stand 1t" and | fel
r her SILVER in my arms.
d Il know, my brave one" | Whil
/ pered back; Il know"
a She lifted her head moment late
e and looked at me, and my heart bowe
beneath the shining of her eyes an
Il the tremulous beauty of her dear fact
But it doesn't matter now Notl
S ing matters now" she said. thrillinglI
(THE END)