The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-09-30


his fathers, as an cid colonel on half
pay, she exclaimed:
always quite alonei"
"why quite alOne1 certainly hope
not"
"You intend to marryf"
Eyes, certainly"
"Yet you have refused several good
opportunities. Tell me why"
Because" he replied. II think 1t
best not to marry rather than to marry
without love-"
"And l think so, tooP
She looked at him; he looked at her
and suddenly, to the great surprise OF
both, they found nothing more to say
nothing at all.
But now Jean is no longer tranquil
with Impotence and at the same time
with sorrow he sees the moment OF his
departure approach. Yet how could
he stay and resist the temptation of
Bettina's charm?
AS an honorable man Jean felt for
Bettlna's money horror, positive hor-
rOr.
In Bettinas mind the sensation of
love had come at the same time that
1t had to Jeans. But, while he, horri-
fed, had cast It violently from him.
she on the contrary had yielded In all
the simplicity of her perfect innocence
to this flood of emotion and Of tender
ness.
AS Bettina grew more tender, Jean
become more gloomy. He was not
only afraid of loving; he was afraid
of being loved. He felt he ought to
remain away, but he could not; the
temptation was too strong.
He tried to avoid Bettlna at recep-
tions and even to leave without saying
goodbye.
"If / touch her hand" he thought,
'my secret will escape me-"
His secretl He did not know that
Bettina read his heart like an open
book.
When Jean descended the stairs
these words were upon his lips:
II love you, adore you, and that
is why will see you no more"
But he did not utter them; he actu-
ally fled into the darkness.
Bettina standing in the hall door
and taking no notice Of the rain driv-
ing across her bare shoulders, watched
him 60.
II knew very well that he loved
me-" she thought, "but now I am very
sure that l, too-ohl yesl I, too
Meanwhile Jean hastens to his deal
old friend the cure to tell him thai
he is going away Immediately to Paris
to seek exchange into another regi
ment, to leave the little hamlet forever
And then In his emotion he confessed
to the able that he adored Bettina.
"It is a madness which has seizet
! me-" he. exclaimed. "Ahl If she wer'
only poorw
; ''Do you know what think, Jean?'
: exclaimed his good friend. "Jean,
: believe that she loves you"
r "And believe 1t, too: but that Is tn
very reason 1 must 60. Her money Il
the great obstacle.n
ri AT that moment someone knocked
: gently at the door.
: It was Bettina.
a Going directly to Jean she cried
J, "Oh, how glad ! am you are here"
Then she took both his hands In her
!, and addressing the cure she said, :
: have come to beg you, monsieur ]
cure, to listen to my confession"
t And to herself she way saying,
/ wish to be lovedI ] wish to lovel
Q wish to be happy and to make hir
Z happy! And since he cannot have tn
y courage to say 1t. must have tn
d courage for bothl"
VI 'T am rich, monsieur lie cure" sh
!. continued, aloud, livery rich, but
:. love money most for the good whic
1t allows me to do. So / have the car
n of this money. and I have Away
wished that my husband should b
IS worthy OF sharing this great forum
le In order that he should help me max
It good use of it. I thought Of anoths
+ thing, too-'He who will be my hu
g band must be someone I can love
n. There Is a man who has done oil !
can to conceal from me that he low
II me. but do not doubt that he low
N me. You do love me, JeanT
IS "Yes," said Jean in low voice, n
he eyes cast down. looking like a crir
IA inal, II do love you"
he II knew 1t very well, but ! wants
,e to hear. you say It And now. Jea
I'd / say to you, I love your Do NJ
b. come near me, yet. Before I can
Mt here / thought I had COED stock
lie courage, but you see have no long
IN my firm composure Of o minute ae
lie And now, monsieur lie cure, want y
d TO answer me, not him. Tell me,
60 he loves me and feels me worthy
his love. should he not agree to be n
In husband7"
Is Jean" said the old priest grave
as '.marry her, 1t Is your duty"
Sd And as Jean took Bettina In !
o; arms the girl continued. "Ycu ha
nd often told me. monsieur lie cure, In
Ier 49, xras almost Ike vorr own 81