Between Friends by Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers
page 52 of 77 (67%)
page 52 of 77 (67%)
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beauty of her.
"I'm going to tell you something," he said. "Love is no more wonderful than hate, no more perfect, no more eternal. And it is less fierce, and not as strong." "What!" she whispered, bewildered at the sinister change in him. "And I want to tell you another thing. I am alone in the world. What I have, I have devised to you--in case I step out--suddenly--" He paused, hesitated, then: "Also I desire you to hear something else," he went on. "This is the proper time for you to hear it, I think--now--to-night--" He lifted his blazing eyes and looked at the other man. "There was a woman," he said--"She happened to be my wife. Also there was my closest friend: and myself. The comedy was cast. Afterward she died--abroad. I believe he was there at the time--Kept up a semblance--But he never married her. . . . And I do not intend to marry--you." After a moment: "And that," she whispered, "is why you once said to me that I should have let you alone." "Did I say that to you?" "Yes." She looked up at him, straight into his eyes: "But if you |
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