The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1913-10-30

1T is not that at all. But you know
nothing about me. IL YOU knew, you
would very likely think as others do,
and"
Then do not tell me anything about
yourself. If it will trouble YOU 1 do
not care what others think. If you
have poisoned a husband. should
know that he needed poisoning, and
any way l should love you and stand
by YOU"
Il have not done anything wrong"
she said gravely.
Then IL you have done nothing
wrong we will prove 1t to the world.
or, II we cannot prove it. we will fly
to some desert island and live there I'm
peace and love. That is the way feel
about you, l know that you are good
and true and lovely! Any one might
as we'll try to prove to me that you
were crazy as that you had done
wrong in any way"
Her face grew strangely white.
We'll. suppose l was crazy?"
Then l would take you and cherish
YOU and try to cure you. and if that
could not be done, l should help you
bear it,
"Oh, you are won6erful!" she
breathed. the light of great love
! growing in her eyes.
The bare, prosaic walls stood stolid-
ly about them, Indifferent to romance
or tragedy that was being wrought
out within its wall. The whirl and
hum Of the city without. the CRIME and
soil of the city within, were alike for
gotten by these two as their hearts
throbbed in the harmony OF q great
passion.
DO YOU think to you could learn 70
love me?' said the mans voice, with
the sweetness of the love song of the
ages in its tone
Il love you now" said the girls low
voice. Il think have loved you from
the beginning. though l never dared
to think Of it in that way. But il would
not be right for me TO become your
wife when you know practically moth
ing about me"
Have you forgotten that you know
nothing of me?"
on, | do know something about
you she said shyly. Remember that
have dined with your friends.
| could not help seeing that they were
! good people, especially that delightful
old man, the Judge He looked star
tlingly like my dear father. saw how
they all honored and loved you. And
then what you have done for me, and
the way that you treated an utterly
defenseless stranger, were equal to
years Of mere acquaintance. feel
that know great deal about you"
He smiled. Thank YOU" he said,
but | have not forgotten that some
thing more is due you than that slight
! knowledge of me, and before I came
/ out here l went to the pastor of the
church Of which my mother is mem
| Der, and which l have always attended
| and asked him to write me letter
| He is so widely known that l felt it
would be an Introduction for me-"
He laid an open letter in her lap.
! and, glancing down, she saw that it
/ was signed by the name of one of the
/ best known pulpit orators in the land.
! and that it spoke in highest terms of
| the young man whom 1t named as my
well-loyed friend"
1T is also your right to know that
have always tried to live a pure and
! honorable life. l have never told any
woman but you that 1 loved her-eX-
! cept an elderly cousin with whom
thought I was in love when / was
nineteen. She cured me of it by
laughing at me, and have been heart
whole ever since"
She raised her eyes from reading
the letter.
You have all these, and have
nothing She spread out her hands
helplessly. 1T must seem strange to
you that am in this situation 1t does
to me. 1t is awful"
She put her hands over her eyes
I and shuddered.
1T is to save you from it all that I
have come" He leaned over and
spoke tenderly Darling"
ooh, wait!" She caught her breath
as If it hurt her, and put out her hand
! to stop him. wait! You must not
say any more until have told you all
about it. Perhaps when l have told
you, you will think about me as others
do, and ! shall have to run from you"
Can you not trust me?" he re-
preached her.
oh, yes, l can trust YOU but you
may no longer trust me, and that
! cannot bear
Il promise you solemnly that will
| believe every word you say"
"Ah, but you will think do not
know, and that it is your duty to give
me into the hands Of my enemies"
That / most solemnly vow l will
never do he said earnestly. you
need not fear to tell me anything. But
listen. tell me this one thing: In the
eyes of God, is there any reason, phys
ical, mental or spiritual, why you
should not become my wife?7
She looked him clearly in the eyes.
None at all"
Then / am satisfied to take YOU
without hearing your story until after
/ wards"
But I am not satisfied II / am to
see distrust come into your eyes, It
must be now, not afterwards"
Then tell it quickly"
lie put out his hand and took hers
firmly into his own, as if to help her
/ in her story