The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-08-08

n BJHlu Ou Ouf foNts We rtfOw =
selfshness brings. You belong TO the
people OF this state. Our false happi-
ness would cripple you. becnuse you
would always have the knowledge
that you hadn't been true to yourself.
And II you aren't true TO yourself
how can you be true to your trust?
You won't tempt me. win your" she
pleaded. her voice growing more and
more unsteady. Because IL am SO
happy in Just being near you. When
am with you something keeps pull
ing. pulling me TO you. I am almost
past the resisting point. Don't tempt
me. yet I want you to tempt me-you
must be strong for both Of us.
"And remember" she went on. try
ing to be strong remember that II is
harder for me than for you. Tomor-
row. after the funeral. go back TO
my little work. which. after all. Is
only scanty refuge. while you go
on to your great task that often will
shut me out Of your mind and heart.
It will always be that--your work al
ways first. always second"
mo" he said roughly. at viii new
er be that. You are first--you always
shall be-
"Ah. I wanted you TO say that. Rut
you mustn't. And It mustn't be true.
That is the selfish part of my love
must always fight to keep down even
if-even If we must not always be
apart. You mustn't let me be selfish.
II you place me first. IL you don't sac
rifice me when II is right, you can't be
true TO yourself. you won't be my man.
You are so strong. You mustn't come
TO weakness through me-"
"Yet you say you are not good" he
cried.
The vine wreathed veranda hid them
from the world. She went to chair.
fell into II and buried her face in her
hands. Harsh. dry sobs shook her.
Bob was helpless to comfort her.
Awkwardly. as one unused to caress,
he put out his hand and let 1t rest
upon her hair The unaccustomed
touch sent fire racing through his
veins.
Eleanor he murmured hoarsely.
She caught his big hand and pressed
It to her cheek II am not good.
am only weak and shameless. You
must be stronger take me"
He sat down beside her and took
both her hands In his firm strong
clasp.
aNoort,, uox,, etropoaI,, tho urord
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-"
II wasn't directly responsible for
the crime that was done. But 1 don't
hide behind that. II was done for me.
and accepted the benefit. But my peo-
pie didn't know 1t. Nevertheless they
trusted me. They have helped me to
grow stronger mt home and over the
state. The good people here-theyi
have trusted me and strengthened me.
In few weeks ! am to be nominated
for governor. ! 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. | can do much. These two
years | 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
new life together The wealth that
Murchell has left me l will give to
Dunmeade. All the knowledge l have
gained. all the power | have won. all
the power that has been given to me
for n 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 must give these things
up because. having been weak once.
I dare not face the responsibility of
weakness In power. II would be easy.
Every nerve In me aches TO do II. IL
you say the word Will i-ive up these
things for you. aud will never re-
proach you. never blame you"
He paused duestioningly. While he
was speaking her eyes had not left
his. She was very white.
my answer isl love your
"And that means-noT
And that means-noT
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 II
caressed the backs of his hands. He
watched the gesture sadly.
After awhile. I'VE need each other
20 be strong. don't we?" she said soft
fv. He rave no answer.
(To be continued
The British government last year
received Ell, ,l29, ,26o In dividends on the