The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-10-19

Oue uuy when Jean WAY telllng OF
his expectations of promotion and the
probability that he should wander
from garrison to garrison, finally COM
ing back to the little house that was
his fathers, as an old colonel on halt
pay, she exclaimed:
always. quite alone?"
"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. II think II
best not to marry rather than to marry
without love-"
"And 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 ~psist the temptation Of
Bett!na's char,h?
AS an homo, able man Jean felt for
Bettina's money horror, positive her
rOr.
In Bettina's 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 Bettinn 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-
tiOns and even to leave without saying
goodbye.
IF l touch her hand" he thought,
tiny 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 upon his lips:
II love you, I 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 dool
and taking no notice Of the rain driv.
ing across her bare shoulders, watched
him 60.
II knew very we'll that he loved
me-" she thought, "but now I am very
sure that I, tOo-oh! yes! ], 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.
1T Is madness which has seized
me-" he exclaimed. "Ah! If she were
only pO0r!"
do you know what think, Jean?"
exclaimed his good friend. "Jean, l
believe that she loves you"
sand believe it, too; but that is the
very reason must 60. Her money is
the great obstacle"
At that moment someone knocked
gently at the door.
1t was Bettina.
Going directly to Jean she cried,
"Oh, how glad I am you are here"
Then she took both his hands In hers
and addressing the cure she said, II
have come to beg you. monsieur le
cure, to listen to my confession"
And to herself she way saying, II
wish to be loved! / wish to love!
wish to be happy and to make him
happy! And since he cannot have the
courage to say 1t, I must have the
courage for both!"
II am rich, monsieur lie cure" she
continued, aloud, Every rich, but I
love money most for the good which
1t allows me to do. So have the care
Of this money, and have always
wished that my husband should be
worthy Of sharing this great fortune
in order that he should help me make
good use of it. I thought Of another
thing, too-'He who will be my hus-
hand must be someone 1 can lover
There Is a man who has done all he
can to conceal from me that he loves
me. but do not doubt that he loves
me. You do love me. Jean?"
EYES," said Jean in low voice, his
eyes cast down, looking like a GRIM
inal, II do love you"
II knew 1t very well. but I wanted
to hear you say. it. And now. Jean.
I say to you, 4 love your Do not
come near me, yet. Before I came
here thought had good stock Of
courage, but you see have no longer
my firm composure Of a minute ago.
And now. monsieur lie cure, I want you
to answer me. not him. Tell me, If
he loves me and feels me worthy Of
HIS love, should he not agree to be my
husband?"
JEAN" said the old priest gravely.
marry her, 1t is your duty"
And as Jean took Bettina in his