The Tupelo journal., 1910-07-29

Miss Innes," she said, has my
stepbrother Arnold gone away?"
What do you mean?" asked,
startled. But Louise was literal.
"He didn't come back that night"
she said, "and it was 81 important
that | should see him."
81 believe he has gone away" | re-
piled uncertainty. Isn't it something
that we could attend to instead?"
But she shook her head. Il must do
1t myself" she said DULY.
Halsey came to the door at that mo-
ment and l could hear him coaxing
Liddy for admission to the sick room.
Shall l bring him in?" | asked
Louise, uncertain what to do. The
girl seemed to shrink back among
her pillows at the sound of his voice.
l was vaguely irritated with her;
there are few young fellows like Hal
sey-straightforward, honest, and will
ing to sacrifice everything for the one
woman | knew one once, more than
80 years ago, who was like that; he
died a long time ago. And sometimes
l 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 a boy-and am
an old I would not bring him
back If l could.
Perhaps it was some such mem
DRY that made me call out sharply.
Come in, Halsey." And Their took
my sewing and went into the boudior
beyond, to play propriety. 1 did not
try to hear what they said, but every
word came through the open door with
curious distinctness. Halsey had evil
IDENTIFY gone over to the bed and l
suppose he kissed her. There was 81
lence for a moment, as if words were
superfiuous things.
81 have been almost wild, sweet
heart,"-Halsey's voice. why didn't
you trust me, and send for me be-
fore?"
1T was because I couldn't trust N.Y.
SELF" she said in a low tone. Il am
too weak to struggle today; oh, Hal
sey, how l have wanted to see you!"
There was something l did not hear,
then Halsey again.
1--WE could go away" he was say
ing. What does it 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. l won't believe
YOU"
you don't know; you don't know"
Louise repeated duly. "Halsey, 1 care
you know that-but-not enough to
marry you"
THAT is not true, Louise" he said
sternly. you cannot look at me with
your honest eyes and say that"
Il cannot marry you," she repeated
miserably. Its bad enough, isn't it?
Don't make it worse. Some day, be-
fore long, you will be glad"
"Then it is because you have never
loved me- There were depths of hurt
pride in his voice. you saw how
much / loved you, and you let me
think you cared-for a WHILE No
that isn't like you, Louise. There is
something you haven't told me. Is it
because there is some one else?"
YES" almost inaudibly.
"Louisei 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
err than / 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 mel"
/ could hear Halsey cross the room
to the window. Then, after a pause,
he went back to her again. ! could
hardly sit still; I 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 I'll give you up the minute you
say I don't love you and / do love
some one else!'"
Il can not say that she breathed,
but, very soon, ! shall marry-the
other man"
/ could hear Halsey's low trium-
plant laugh.
Il defy him." he said. sweetheart.
as long as you care for me. | am not
afraid"
The wind slammed the door between
the two rooms just thef, and 1 could
hear nothing more, although / moved
my chair quite close. After q dis
| Greet interval, I went into the other
| room and found Louise alone. She