The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-09-30

always quite alonef"
why quite alone? certainly hope
not"
You intend to Martyr
Eyes, certainly"
"Yet you have refused several good
opportunities. Tell me why"
Because" he replied. II think II
best not to marry rather than to marry
without love-"
.And l think so, too"
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
Bettna's charm?
AS an honorable man Jean felt for
Bettina's money horror, positive hoe
ror.
In Bettina's mind the sensation of
love had come at the same time that
it had to Jeans. But. while he, horri-
fed, had cast 1t 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 Bettina at recep-
lions and even to leave without saying
goodbye.
IF 1 touch her hand" he thought,
my secret will escape me-"
| His secret! He did not know that
Bettina read his heart like an open
book.
When Jean descended the stairs
these words were upen 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.
i II knew very well that he loved
me-" she thought, "but now / am very
sure that l. too-oh! yes! I, too
Meanwhile Jean hastens to his dear
old friend the cure to tell him that
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.
l, ut is madness which has seized
me-" he exclaimed. "Ah! II she were
only poor!"
i do you know what think, Jeanf'
exclaimed his good friend. "Jean,
. believe that she loves you"
Sand believe it, too; but that is the
very reason I must 60. Her money il
the great obstacle"
: At that moment someone knocked
gently at the door.
: 1t was Bettina.
Going directly to Jean she cried
, ooh. 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"
And to herself she way saying, g
! wish to be loved! I wish to love!
e wish to be happy and to make hin
happy! And since he cannot have tn
courage to say it, must have tn
! courage for both!'
II am rich, monsieur lie cure" sh
!, continued, aloud, ''very rich, but
:, love money most for the good whicl
1t allows me to do. So have the car
q of this money, and have Away
wished that my husband should b
$ worthy Of sharing this great forum
e in order that he should help me max
{ good use Of it. I thought Of anothe
/ thing, too-'He who will be my hu;
8 band must be someone I can love
J, There is a man who has done all b
can to conceal from me that he love
Il me, but I do not doubt that he love
q me. You do love me, Jean"
$ "Yes," said Jean in low voice, hl
e eyes cast down, looking like GRIN
q inal, II do love you"
e Il knew it very well. but wante
e to hear you say it. And now. Jeal
q say to you, I love your Do nc
D. come near me, vet. Before I cam
u here thought had good stock {
e courage, but you see have no longt
n my firm composure Of minute ag
e And now, monsieur lie cure. ! want &c
q to answer me, not him. Tell me,
o he loves me and feels me worthy I
his love, should he not agree to be m
70 husband?"
s JEAN" said the old priest gravel
q "marry her, 1t Is your duty"
u And as Jean took Bettina In b
,; arms the girl continued, "YOu ha,
10 often told me, monsieur lie cure, tn
e Jean was almost like your own so
90 Now you will have two children, th'
q Is all"
Amonth later Bettina, In the simple
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