White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1935-12-05

| ike yours. nave made you suffer
suffer needlessly. Listen to what /
have to tell and then see if you can
still forgive"
Turning. they walked slowly along
the shore.
II could have told you about the
jewels and how came by them at the
outset had I not suddenly conceived
the idea of teasing you. The plan to
| conceal my story came to me as a
form of sport-a subtle, psychological
game. Here I was pitched without
| ceremony into a strange environment
among persons who knew nothing of
my background. What would they make
Of me? How rate me when cut off
from my real setting? resolved to
try out the experiment. Women are
said to be inquisitive, particularly those
living In isolation. My advent could
not but stimulate questions. thought
| it would be an amusing adventure to
circumvent not only your curiosity but
also that of the village.
IT placed scant dependence on fem
mime discernment and constancy
When I went to the war, I left be-
hind a girl who pledged herself to
love and wait for me. When I came
back it was to find her married to my
best friend. The discovery shook my
{ confidence in human nature, and espe-
cially in women, to it's foundations.
derided love, vowing I never would
marry and be made a puppet of a
second time.
"The remainder Of the story you
know"
Il stumbled, a stranger, into your
home and instantly you set at naught
all my preconceived theories of wom-
anhood by believing in me with an I'M
reasoning faith. You asked no ques-
tions. You did not even exhibit legit-
innate curiosity in the peculiar net
work of circumstances that entangled
me- You were a new type of being and
regarded you with wonder.
"Still, was not satisfied. felt sure
that if pressed too far your trust in me
would crumble and, therefore, I tried
deliberately to break it down by throw
ing obstacles in it's pathway When
suspicion closed in upon me put you
to further tests by withholding the ex-
plantations could easily have made
It was contemplate piece of egoisrn
selfish and cruel-and dearly have 1
paid for it. But at least remember
that if caused you suffering I have
suffered also.
For, Marcia, through it all I loved
you. recognized from the moment
I first looked into your eyes that a
force mightier than ourselves drew us
together force not to be denied
Nevertheless, so bitter had been my
experience I dared not yield to this
strange new power. Instead opposed
it with all my strength, giving my love
I reluctantly, fighting inch by inch the
surrender I sensed to be inevitable.
J "You, on the other hand, had like
myself known betrayal, but you had
taken the larger view and not allowed
ut to warp or mar your outlook on
life When love came knocking a sec
ond time, you were neither too proud
nor too cowardly to answer it, but
freely gave your affection with the
gladness and sincerity so character
istic of you.
II do not deserve such love.
Beside the 1argeness of your nature
my own shows itself childish small
poor thing for which I blush.
Help me to erase the past.
II love you with my whole soul, dear.
Everything in me loves you. My life
is worth nothing unless you share it.
"Wil1 you?
"Ah you need not fear, Marcia. Syl-
via has told me everything. Beloved,
there is not and never has been bar
rier to our marriage. We have mis-
understood one another. Let us do so
no longer.
II am a free nan-acquitted. Come
to me and let us begin life afresh."
She came then, swiftly.
AS he held her in his arms, the last
shadow that separated them melted
away.
Under the glow of the MONDAY sun,
they walked back toward the Home
stead, hand in hand.
Sylvia came running to meet them
and, throwing her arms about Marcia,
kissed her
Everything is all right can see
that" she cried ooh, I am so glad
so glad for both of you! believe I
just could not stand it if you were
not happy because I am so happy my
self. Hortie is here, you know. Didn't
Stanley tell you? Why, Stanley Heath,
aren't you ashamed to forget all about
Hortie and me? Yes, Hortie came this
morning. We're engaged. See my ring!"