The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1913-06-21

"VHAb III II sulu a ldSh NtIe ElNtu
him by the woman he loved. Would
lie obediently attempt 1t, or would he
ridicule 1t? II was a question of char
acter, you see"
The discussion seemed to me rather
silly. but | nodded grasely.
And some one suggested" continued
~Jacqueline dreamily. that 1t would be
interesting for n to apply this test.
II would he n test of love. If the man
really cared he would undertake even
the impossible"
so you applied this interesting test
toner" | exclaimed.
when. some weeks ago." she went
on. you told me that you loved Inc, |
could not help remembering that con-
versation at the luncheon. You did
not put yourself in the most favorable
light. You confessed that you had
been living only to please yourself.
You acknowledged that you had no
ambition and no energy to fulfill an
ambition"
THAT | had no ambition before | met
you. Jaequeline." ! interrupted.
ITO apply such a test to you would
be childish. | thought then. But | did
suggest that you shoulG do something.
In the meantime" she added very
slowly. her chin resting on her clasped
hands. Duke da Sestos came into my
life. He. too, professed to love me-"
II see. You saw in him the manly
traits you found lacking in me. He
was ambitious; | was not. He was
bold and confident. while l was only
too conscious that | had made rather
a muddle Of my life Sc far. | a i'm
agine that the contrast between us was
not favorable 10 me-"
She looked at me pl%eadingly.
do not make it too hard for me.
Dick. The duke interested me, | con-
TESS il. liked him. Perhaps | even
admired him. Every day saw some
thing OF him. He was untiring in his
devotion. ! began to wonder at last
II he did not really love me-"
Had you never been sure that I
really loved you. Jacquelinef' asked
! sadly.
mo; not sure" she answered stead
lily. How could | be? You neglected
me. You went to Rome without ex-
cuse. You did not even write 10 me.
And then the duke asked me 10 be his
wife, and this in spite of every dis
couragelnent | could throw in his path.
For II | admired him | was careful not
t. show him that"
She drew herself up proudly and
looked at me with a calm dignity.
"You know how, quite involuntarily,
| asked him 10 do what seemed an I'M
possible thing. If he would bring me
the caskct that belonged to the chest
he had given to me-. | would listen TO
his declaration of love, and not until
then. Too late | realized that he bad
taken my words to he a test of his de-
Notion. was terrified at the eneour-
%arepIent | had unconsciously given
him. had not dreamed that he would
take the challenge seriously. And YET
| wondered Mt his earnestness. Any
woman would lie touched at such faith
ard courage. Here actually was a man
who dared to undertake the impossible.
Then | thought Of you
Would do as much? Is that what
you mean?'
IL asked myself naturally that Ana
IL seemed fair. ! wished you to know
what | had said TO the duke. ! wished
you 10. because
"You wished to apply a similar test
10 ms" | prompted,
and So" continued J%acqueline, very
male. Il threw the whole issue iuto the
hands of fate. | sent for you. | OLD
Won that you must also try to hhd TINS
c,stet for me. And how did you re-
ccive this request? So lightly that the
last words YOU said were these. FER
hans shall find time to write me
Iagend of the clock as well as 10 nnu
tho cosket.' You failed to realize that
,ho finding of this casket was a real
,.risis I'm my life and in yours. lou
u.rota twice and only the shortest ana
most unsatisfactory of notes. NOT uh'
satisfactory because you were unsuo
cassfut. but because you were pu'su-
in, the search in so negligent a man
- And when at last ! saw you TINS
,,nrrinr YOU met me with reproacnes
ynu we-e weary with the search IL
ms actually degrading you. IL was
leading you from me, ,~nn,or.
She paused and looked at me impior'
incly. was silent.
..you urged me TO release you VI
=. p,. Won wished me to understand
. hat II was only reasonable 70 40 50,
,Ha Las willing 10 listen. wished 10
l,nSorstand that so much myself,
ready to believe it-oh. so glad 10
~s ors n. waited for you eagerly.
foiled to wait for me. what was
7 70 think? do not reprSa." la Won