The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-11-11

was~~from mo to your I've spoil
your life. and all In vain, because
Laurie couldn't be saved. and yor
needn't have sacrificed yourself II
you'd known"
III death we're an enemy. your
companionship would give me cour
age and strength 10 face him,
Miles said. For you are true and
loyal, ah well as brave. But the
horrible part is that you must die
too--yon, 80 young. with 80 much
10 make life happy II you we're rid
[ OF me-"
rid OF you" echoed. in n voice
OF protest. Why. life wouldn't be
life without you. Don't you under
stand7"
How can | understand" he
asked. when I've done everything
TO make you hate me since we mar
ricd ?"
"Ah. but YOU see" answered. Il
loved you SO desperately before.
hand"
You loved me beforehand? Let
mo hear quickly. lest the end come
and rob me Of H."
It's not interesting enough for
YOU TO care about" warned him
only. ever since ! was a little girl
/ | loved YOU. used To keep your
photographs. and things written
about you in the papers. II seemed
almost too wonderful To think Of
seeing you In England. Then,
when We did meet. Il was the day
you came TO toll Lady Meldon OF
your engagement. prayed for you
TO be happy Comtesse Helene
Gardo. After her death. thought
II would DO good for you TO 20 on
believing in her always. Besides.
there was poor Laurie. Would any
one. with human heart, have
made mischief between you and
HIM"
Il know." Miles said gently. Il
know how ! misunderstood you
that night when he was dying lie
told me-many things after you'd
gone"
"Sot-not what I've told you TO.
night7" | siammered Not that !
cared? lie promised he wouldn' {
tell that"
lie KEEP, his promise. SO he
knew. then7" &.
Yes. be knew. lie guessed when
you were ill."
Il might have guessed. too. II !
hadn't been blind fool. You've
told me something about yourself
Now it'a my turn. While there's
time I'll tell you what found out
as grew better and what I've gone
on finding out every day since.
At first called the new feeling
treachery. But when Laurie made
/ his last confession ! knew that I'D
had-~the right instinct all thru.
Now do YOU guess what II IL have
20 tell your"
NO" I said. Il can't think you
a traitor"
u was traitor 10 dream
before | knew that Il was a false
dream. You thought-every one
thought-that when Helene was
killed nearly went mad for love
OF her and the loss OF her. never
expected 10 tell any ono this side
| OF tho grave that that wasn't true.
But you have a right to my truth.
And give II TO you. nearly lost
my reason In shame and remorse
becausc-my heart wouldn't break
fsx~ H. "a
as ought to have cared. hated
! ioathed and deeplsed myself for
not caring more. had TO face my
soul. and realize that what I'd be
| iieved an overwhelming love had
been mere passion for a beautiful
siren woman-such infatnation as a
man like me should be ashamed "a
feel. untempcred by purer and
deeper feeling. It's true. didn't
love you. It's true, despised you
for marrying me for an unworthy
| reason--as | supposed. What a
prig--what prig | was, As II my
reasons for taking what you had TO
give were worthier."
"Oh. they were" broke in
eagerly 1T was for your broth.
er's sake
Don't defend me. deserve
nothing good, But soon began
TO see that good had come TO me.
That good-was you. couldn't
help beginning family TO realize
what you were. And couldn't
reconcile the glimpses got OF your
real nature with the estimate I'd
formed of tin my denseness--be.
cause OF your willingness to marry
me.
IF Id dreamed ever so dimly
then. OF what you've told me now.
what light would have been thrown
upon darkness But | didn't guess.
| tried TO fix my thought upon the
image OF Helene. TO love her dead
as | had thought loved her living.
| tried TO justify myself In my own
eyes And when felt myself
wavering. wanting your companion.
ship. finding II sweet. forced my.
self to see you as Id once seen you
An ambitious, heartless girl,
wanting to buy some sort OF posi-
tion with your money. | used to
say. There's no other explanation
OF her marrying me, man she
hardly knew
But when at last | began to
understand your forbearance. your
sweetness and devotion. TO the
brute who had done nothing but
heap injuties upon you. ! couldn't
shut the door OF my heart in your
face. 1t was then first loved you"
"Oh. Miles," | cried. Now IL
must be who dream"
mo. this is no dream" he an
swered. IT'S reality, and we're
going TO die soon.
You've made me the happiest
creature on earth, soon to be the
happiest In heaven," | answered
"If Won would kiss me. | should