The diamond drill., 1921-04-09

ing back TO the little house that was
his fathers, as an old colonel on half
pay. she exclaimed:
Always quite alonei"
"why quite alone? certainly hope
not"
| "You intend To marryT
"Yes. certainly"
"Yet you have refused several good
opportunities. Tell me why"
Because" he replied. "I think IL
best not TO marry rather than TO marry
without love-"
"And think so, too"
She looked at him: he looked Mt 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 impatience 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
Bettlna's charm2
AS an honorable man Jean felt for
Bettlna's money horror, positive hog
ror.
In Bettina's mind the sensation OF
love had come at the same time that
llt had TO Jeans. But, while he, horri-
/ fed, had cast IL violently from him,
she on the contrary had yielded In all
the simplicity of her perfect innocepce
to this food OF emotion and of tender
ness.
Az Bettlna 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 secreti 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 morel"
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
aim go.
IL knew very we'll that he loved
me-" she thought, "but now am very
sure that /. too-oh yest /, too"
Meanwhile Jean hastens TO his dear
old friend the cure 10 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
10 the able that he adored Bettina.
"It Is a madness which has seized
me-" he exclaimed. "Ah! II she were
only poorr
"Do you know what think, JeanT"
exclaimed his good friend. "Jean. i
believe that she loves you"
"And believe It, too; but that is the
very reason / must go. Her money is
the great obstacle"
AT that moment someone knocked
gently at the door.
II was Bettina.
Going directly to Jean she cried,
"0h, how glad am you are here"
Then she took both his hands IN hers
and addressing the cure she said, ~
have come to beg you, monsieur lie
cure TO listen to my confession
And to herself she way saying, 81
Wish to be loved ] wish TO lovel
wish 10 be happy and TO make him
happyl And since he cannot have the
courage 10 say IL. / must have the
courage for both"
'I am rich, monsieur lie cure" she
continued. aloud, very rich, but |
owe money most for the good which
[ allows me TO do So have the care
Df this money, and / have always
wished that my husband should be
worthy OF sharing this great fortune
n order that he should help me make
good use OF Il. / thought OF another
thing, too-He who viii be my hus-
band must be someone | can loyer
There is man who has done all he
,an 10 conceal from me that he loves
ne, but / do not doubt that he loves
me. You do love me, Jeanf'
eyes" said Jean In low voice, his
eyes cast down. looking like Grim
lnal, Il do love you"
II knew it very well. but l wanted
10 hear you say IT, And now. Jean,
say to you, 4 love your DO not
come near me, yet Before | came
here / thought / had a good stock of
courage but you see / have no longer |
my firm composure Of minute ago.
And now, monsieur lie cure. want you
TO answer me, not him. Tell me, II |
ne loves me and feels me worthy OF
his love. should he not agree TO be my |
husband1"
JEAN said tho old priest grayely,
marry her, II is your duty"
And as Jean took Bettina In his I
arms the girl continued, "You have