Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-12-12
B0BBs MEnRILL CO.
COPYRIGHT, leio, 81 HoBbs

S0SSS S416A 49, 49,
/ rlnco me when tits right, yen can't b
true TO yourself. .you won't be my man.
You are 20 strong. You mustn't come
10 weakness through me-"
yet you say you are not good! hs
cried.
The vine wreathed vefanda hid them
from the world. She went to q chair.
fell into It and buried her face in her
hands. Harsh. dry sobs shook her.
Bob was helpless to comfort her.
Awkwardly, 40 one unused to caress.
he put out his hand and let It rest
upon her hair. The unaccustomed
touch sent nre racing through bis
veins.
"Eleanorw he murmured hoarsely.
She caught his big hand and pressed
It to her cheek. II am not good. I
am only weak and shameless. You
must be stronger take me"
He sat down beside her and took
both her hands In his 6rm, strong
clasp.
"Dearr' How strangely the word
dwelt upon his lips! Dear. look at
me. Two years ago I found myself.
The people Of my city trusted me
when they would have been justified
in crushing me-"
"But you weren't guilty. Katherine
has told me-"
Il wasn't directly responsible for
the crime that was done. But don't
hide behind that 1t was done for me.
and accepted the benefit. But my peo-
pie didn't know It. Nevertheless they
trusted me. They have helped me to
grow stronger at home and over the
state. The good people here-they
have trusted me and strengthened me.
In few weeks am to be nominated
for governor. l can be elected. think.
Great power has been placed in my
hands. am under the most sacred
obligations to the people Of this state.
to John Dunmeade. to him who Is
dead. l can do much. These two
years l have tried to atone. have
tried to kill the ugly self that ruled
me. thought had succeeded. And
now find have failed. am ready
at your word to forget everything but
myself. but you. We must start q
new life together. The wealth that
Murchell has left me will give to
Dunmeade. All the knowledge have
gained. all the power have won. all
the power that has been given to me
for q purpose not my own. must be
thrown aside. All Murchell's work
will have gone for nothing. John
Dunmeade. left alone. will be beaten,
The people who have trusted me Will
be helpless. I must give these things
up because. having been weak once,
I dare not face the responsibility Of
weakness in power. 1t would be easy.
Every nerve in me aches to do It. II
you say the word will give up these
things for you, and will never re.
proach you. never blame you"
He paused Qiiest1oningiy. While ha
was speaking her eyes had not left
his. She was very white.
my answer isl love you!"
"And that means-noW
"And that means-10!'
Their eyes fell away. She leaned
back in her chair and looked out into
space. Half unconsciously she freed
one hand from his clasp and with It
caressed the backs Of his hands. He
watched the gesture sadly.
After awhile, I'VE need each other
to be strong, don,t we7' she said soft
". He gave no dnswer.
II am afraid she went on later
In dreamy, detached phrases-I am
afraid to hope. have always felt
that he would return and thought that
with his coming everything would be
right Now 1 dare not hope. All as
once It IL clear. All. can't bear to
think Of that. We are not our own"
Suddenly he caught her hands to his
lips and covered them with rough,
passionate kisses. She let him.
1--WE are not our own. And 1t IL
something. oh, everything, to know
that we have had this hour, with tn