Old Doc Travers [pp. 88-95]

90 ~id 1)oc rravers. [July
sensitive woman, by his beastly, drunken from you that, to me, it seems scarcely to
companionship? It is not best and right. exist.
It is a horrible mockery of justice;" and The tears sprang to Helen's eyes under
Ray's deep voice trembled with suppressed the sting of these words; but forcing them
passion. "Helen, did you ever love that bravely back she rose and came to Ray's
man?" He paused suddenly in front of side, taking his hot hand between hers.
the bowed head. Ray shivered at their icy coldness.
After a silence, broken only by the roar "Dear heart, you do not mean that,"
of the rushing waters without: "Ray, I do said she, softly. "My love for you is so
not know. He was not always what he is great that my life itself depends upon my
now. His talents dazzled me, a young girl keeping it out of my life. Your love for
who knew nothing of men. I respected him me is so sweet a happiness that I would
-then." The voice faltered and paused. rather lose my life than lessen it by attach"Since I have known you, I am sure that ing to it the smallest taint of disgrace.
I never loved him as I ought, when I mar- So we must part, dear. Doubts would
ried him." come, even with your arms around me, with
"T he more reason in your freeing your- your kisses on my lips; and a doubt of your
self from him. What claim has he upon happiness would kill me dear. I could not
you that lie has not outraged in all ways?" help but doubt, and that would bring a great
and Ray leaned heavily against the wall of grief into our lives. So you must go Ray.
the fire-place, looking down on her. But you must not think ot me as grieving
"The error was mine," replied Helen for you, dear. Think of me as trying to
sadly. "He loved me then, and even in live a life worthy of the great love you have
the depths to which he has since sunk, he given me; a love which will always give
loves me still. Does that give him no claim me strength when I most need it.,,
upon me? You say that I could free my- Ray's head was bowed on his arm now.
self from him. You are right, and he would He f~lt how powerless he was to alter this
help me. There are dep~hs of generosity, woman's decision. He could but feel how
even in his fallen nature, which you have just that decision was, yet he loved her
never sounded." at that moment more passionately than ever
Ray made a movement of impatience; a before. He felt how great a treasure was
faint flush spread over the sweet face raised slipping from his grasp; but her nobleness
to his, but Helen continued~steadily: had cleansed his nature from dross, and his
"Ray, he knows that I have long since duty lay plainly before him.
lost my love and respect for him, and yet, he Helen's hand rested softly on his bowed
loves me. God knows that I tried to keep head. Turning to her he took her face bethe knowledge from him, but I failed, and tween his hands, and looking down into the
just how much that failure contributed to- depths of her dear, true eyes, said:
ward his downfall, I cannot tell; but I can- "You are right, dear heart, always right.
not feel guiltless. Has he no claims upon I cannot feel that I could ever doubt your
iiie, Ray? Have I no duties to perform? love; ever give you cause to doubt mine for
I ask your heart." you. It seems to me that the sweetest hap "Your logic is pitilessly faultless," replie~ piness I could have would be to call you my
Southack, bitterly. "The more so that it wife, and your being that would annihilate
convinces me how fruitless in happiness my the past. But I cannot read your woman's
love for you will ever be. You say that you heart, dear, further than to know that you
love me, and yet you put that love so far love me with the best and purest of loves.