Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-06-06
,aeL and looked again at Barbara. She

mean
What is wrong?" she asked, falter-
ing. Virginia is Mrs. Northrup's
daughter"
His eyes seemed to pierce her
through.
You are bound (, keep your Sc
cret," he said, then; but remember
that it is no secret to me. talked
with Mrs. Northrup a. long evening be-
fore she sick, and she made con-
fession to me. ] was her legal adviser;
she knew she had not long to live, and
she was in such trouble regarding the
final disposition of her wealth, she
told me of this will which have read
o,day; but month later she pointed
to her writing-desk, and said, You
will find my will there when l am
gone l have every reason to believe
that she made another and far different
one. You know why she should,
Barb
His words, voice and act seemed to
plead with her, as he took her hands,
and would have drawn her to his
breast.
Il know why / should keep another's
fame fair" she answered.
Saying this, she eluded him, and ran
quickly up the stair.
She gladly escaped from an observa-
ton to which he was inditleI ent, fol
people were pressing in aud out of the
hall. He drew deep breath, and
turned to look for his hat and cane.
Henceforth, slight defiance mingled
in Barb's air towards him. Sometimes
his glance reproached her. But lie
came and went, henceforth, silent on
the subject; anu Virginia trembled like
a leaf at his approach.
At length Allan Neaie asked Barb to
see her alone. 1t was late in tho Fall.
The roseberries were red in the garden,
evil you fix our wedding-day,
Barb? Long ago you promised me
that some time you would be my wife. u
You wished it, knowing all, AL.
Ian O.
II wished it, knowing all, Barb? 2"
"And l consented" she added, alb.
sently.
Yes" regarding der downcast face
with sudden alarm.
She looked up at last.
IL promised you then, Allan. l con-
scented to be your wife, after long talk,
you remember. But"
But what, Barb?"
"There is bar between us now, and
we had better not marry. You would
never be satisfied"
Dear Barb, do not care for the
money"
but you think me wrong. You
would always think so. Oh, it is hard p
and she broke out crying.
He walked the floor in great agita-
ton.
Barb grew calm.
"A thousand times it would come up
in the future, in thousand ways, and
might give way" her voice breaking
again.
He came and stood before her.
Barb, I love you. No other wo-
man could ever be to me what you are.
Because you are so true and noble in
yourself, I can overlook"
Yes" she interrupted, with tighten
ing lips.
~ can overlook freely" he con.
tinued, hastily, "a fact which you
made bugbear, secretly, for q long
time, denying me hope. You were
morbid, dear; you did yourself injus-
tice," hurriedly finishing the subject.
Il say again, I love you, Barb, and
here l promise, if you will become my
wife now, to keep silent on this subject
for ever more"
He paused.
"That would effect nothing" she
said, sadly. 1T would have its weight,
its bearing on our lives just the same.
No, we had better remain apart. 1 can
bear my burden alone"
She was not unwise, for Allan Neale
showed himself not perfect. A spirit
Of resentment took possession of him
shall plead with you no more,
he said at last, in anger-took his hal
and departed.
In two daysIBarb had gone South::fo
the Winter.
Still Allan Neale came and went al
the Lindens, occupied in settling
the late Mrs. Northrup's affairs. Before
Christmas he discovered o change il
Virginia. She had lost the infantile
ASuANASoo Va SbSChS tAC u4I W
girlhood. More, she was i'll; the blue
eyes and the blue-veined temples were
hollow. Her manner was languid and
weary; yet, when he came to know the
truth, he never dreamed what anguish
the passionate, INDUCED girl suffered
You live like a num-" he said tc
her, "away from all the occupations
and pleasures of youth. Do you care
for none of these q
Why are you SO melancholy? What
do you wish for, Virginia."
For you," she confessed. 81 have
worshiped you from child. I hoped
you would come to love me; but you
are to marry Barb"
For an hour the man was tempted
Here was youth, beauty and wealth why
long for that proud white face he had
banished? But Allan Neale was essen.
TALLY noble, therefore he conquered.
So do not love you, Virginia, as one
should love the woman he marries
Years ago gave my heart to Barb; she
has it,"
A few weeks later he telegraphea to
Barb:
Will you come home to Virginia :