The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1876-09-29


shut down dark and blank And only an
hour before he had dared indulge such
glowing visions. He saw his duty clearly
enough, but it is not always easy to Do ones
duty There was a little struggle between
his heart and his conscience. 4 hundred
times the temptation beset him to keep his
knowledge to himself, and win Annie for
his own She would never know that Rich
ardson was blameless, and his great love
might make her 50 happy At last, he
knelt down and prayed over it. He always
prayed over those things which were too
hard for him. After that, he rose and sat
down by the window-felt the west wind
on his forehead-saw the pale Wintry sun
shine gid the long Iows Of buildings oP-
posite. For him there was no more hesi-
tation If he could make Annie happy,
what matter to him how it was accomplish
ed i?
He went down to The sitting-room about
sunset. He knew he should find Annie
there Mrs. Etheredge was away at a So
ciety meeting.
Annie was sewing by a shaded lamp
She did not like the glare Of the gas. There
was lich color on her cheek, over which
the loose hair dropped low. Milton Eth
eredge,s heart leaped at sight Of her, but
he stilIed it down and took seat beside
| her.
"Annie,n he said, Il am an old friend,
and think you will not be offended if
ask you few questions. Not because
am curious, but because desire your good
more than any earthly thing"
She looked up in wonderment, noticing
the strange unsteadiness Of his voice and
the tremor Of the hand he laid on hers.
'Ofended-with you, Mr.. Etheredge j"
she said reproachfully; "neyer that Go
on-I am listening"
"Annie, you were once engaged to Leigh
Richardson =
Her head dropped lower; the crimson
came and went in her cheeks.
q was, )" she said in low voice.
You loved him and lie loved you-was
it not 50, my child ?"
owe called it love-"
"And you thought him false ?'
GAS Satan himself!"
"What if you knew that he was not false
that he was true to you alway the
contemptible letter which you read, pur-
porting to have been written by him, was
a vile forgery then r
Sic was looking at him in mute surprise.
She drew long breath,
Was It a forgely2''
at was. / have just heard the history
Of il. An ill-natured acquaintance OF Rich
ardson's to crafty a petty revenge, wrote
the letter aud dropped it where you would
be sure to find it. Leigh Richardson was
leal and true"
She sat very still before him, not line
of her face changing. He waited for her
to speak, but she did not seem disposed to
do so.
"Annie, my dear child, shall | speak to
Mr.. Richardson about this mistake ?"
IF you please. | would ike him to
know that he is clear in my eyes. | think
he would be glad to know It. Tell him
Just how it was, and ask him to forgive me
if was harsh with him."
''IS that all ?"
'That is all"
"Annie I"
Mr. Etheredge u
pardon me for pursuing the subject,
but if you still care for him, you will want
to speak to him on the matter YOURSELF
'But I do not care for him.
"You do not? Why, may ask 2"
She blusbed as red as rose. Etheredge
put the blush and the portrait he had seen
her kiss together. A sharp pang pierced
him.
AIs it because you love another?n
"Yes, she said quietly, 1T is because /
love another"
"And that other 2"
She rose abruptly, and flung OFF the de.
tanning hand he laid on her arm.
s'You have no right to ask me that T.
she said, hoarsely. Let me 60! You tor
ture mel"
II torture you, Annie !? | ?" What pos
sessed him he did not perhaps
something her eyes said to him made him
bold. He put his arm around her and
drew her to his side.
Annie, if you love another, must give
you to him. Your happiness shall be Sc
cured to you, though mine Be shipwreeked
I did not mean to tell you, darling; but
love you 50, It almost kills me to think O
losing you. o, Annie! my little, lost An
ME"
| Her face grew rosy as the morning. She
put her arm around his neck.
. tfNot lost, but found" she said softly
4tAnnie,' he cried, breathlessly, 'do no