The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
THREE KEYS
By FREDERIC ORMOND
Copyright. 1893. by W. J. Watt & Coz

! viii accept it, Lathrop agreed, and his
voice was tender.
For moment there was silence. Then
| Carla spoke, faltel-ingly-
/ Twill go.
/ She did not deign another word, but
! with head erect, crossed the room and
/ disc ppeared through the portieres-
/ LathTOp stood with one OF his arms
around Rita For little, after Carla
/ left the room. both continued silent
Presently, however, the young man
and saw that the Eirl was crying 81
I" Rita" he said. softly. rs 1t trueg~
rs what true, Norris she murmured-
rs IL true that YOU love meZ''
Yes, she whisp sred. at IS true.
I love YOU I have always loved you, Nor
I is, and always shall love YOU"
And tomorrow morning, dear, VIII
/ you stand before a minister here II this
place and say the words that viii make
you my wife,
I She broke away from him and fed to
/ the other side OF the room where with
4 e bic between them. she stood pantfng
l frightened, wondering.
''NG-no-uOp' che cried Not +ho4F
could not DO it It IS not possible. II
would not be rignt- II would be a sin"
Why. Rita2' he asked IF YOU love
me Why do YOU refuse to Be my wife,
Becau se-vOu do nOt-love met she
replied, slowly.
That Is not true he declared. with
all my heart"
But she shook her head.
You do not love me- she reDeated
4 l am very dear 70 you-T know that.
and I thank God for ft-but Won do NOT
Z love me! You have given all your love
20 MISS Trevor, and YOU cannot take II
away IN moment and bestov II 11Don
me- HUSH Do not speak" she went
on, ''fOT 7 am not strong AGAINST Won
Let me complete what I have to saw
You Cuer a. make me your wife bnrause
Of what HIS happened here because Won
Z III --
forever put an end to thes Iauders which
are provoked by my visits to your
rooms IT you loved me- I would fy 10
your arms As i IS. 10. I cannot.
cannot be your wife -
g Rita Lathrop said. stretching ont
MS hands toward her come here. You
need not run away from me, for you
are altogether wrong I do love yOIt
had determined 10 ask YOU 10 be ny
vile while L was on my way back here
after taking MI Trevor houne-Ione be-
Iore had any idea that Cara was
you nOt?''
Yes" the girl admitted. you have
never deceived me- do not doubt you
Then, you viii CONSENT Lathro2
cried, jOyOusly-
No, no; I cannotI" she persisted
You must not ask il Of me-
BUT / 40 ask il, dear LathrOp
urged L IS for my own happiness
~
me happy, VIII you nOJ2 Listen
TOMORROW, shall bring two Of my
Trends here, and in their presence we
Shau be married As quickly as I can
/ snail finish Up the business that de-
tains me IN town When il is arranged.
we shall go abroad We shall travel
where we please, and for as long as
we please AfteTward, We shall choose
a nome as our fancy guides US. You
VIII not refuse me. 'Rita2 Tomorrow.
at Z O'Clock, I shall be here You viii
be ready dear?'
The girls eyes were moist as she
gazed Up at him, but for a little she
made no reply. indeed, she could not
speak lest then Her whole heart went
out 70 him, and yet-theTe was some
thlng wanting Had he seized her IN
MS arms; had he whispered words Of
endearment; had he covered her face
with kisses; had he. instead Of plead
ms demanded, this hesitation could not
have held her in its thraIl- But, now,
she did not know
Say yes. Rita the lover besought
her 1T must be, yesl'
For Yet a moment more the girl wav-
cred And then, at last. she Welded TO
the impulse Of her own o. rest desire
Her head dropped until she wes bowed
IN her utter humility before this man
whom she worshipped- and. in q voice
50 low that his eager ears could hardly
eaten the words, she murTnured-
II you wish IL 50, Morris-yeSl''
The Continuation Of This Story VIII
- l.