The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-08-20

You need not fear to tell me anything"
he added, az she hesitated.
She looked away from him, and her
voice was almost inaudible ~ she answer
cd:
"Because-because- / cannot tell
you! You know"
81 have thought of going, Lizzie; but
l realized to-day that / cannot leave you
ever again, dear"
He put one arm about her, but she
drew away from him, trembling from
head to foot.
"Don't, Mr.. McIntyrel want to re-
member you kindly, and cannot ii you
use such language to me-"
"For heavens sake!" he cried in
astOnishment, "tell me, have l said any
thing wrong to you? Isit wrong to love
you? II that il n sin, then ! am the
greatest of sinners"
81 do not forget that you are gentle
man, and l but poor, ignorant girl,
who knows only what you have taught
her."
"But, Lizzie. l ask you to be my wife,
| i
not boast when say my suit would not
he rejected in most families of high
standing where am known"
"Ah, that il the idea" she exclaimed,
hastily; "n, ~ You say, You do care
for ne" she stammered little over
the words, "you would soon grow weary
of my stupid ways. Ishould shame you
every day of your life, and your grand
friends would wonder Mt your choice, and
l should die of homesickness.
with me, Lizzie?"
Eyes, even with you!" smiling and
blushing as she met his eyes.
He laughed-he was 80 sure of win
ming her--he laughed, and kissed her
mouth.
"Well, sweetheart, / will live here
then, and turn keeper of the light after
your father. Will that suit you?"
Don't deceive yourself, Mr.. Mcintyre.
We would not be happy together, and
think how terrible it would be-bound to-
gether forever"
He laughed exultantly and with good
deal of amusement.
Faith! think it would be mighty
pleasant thing. Come, Lizzie, you can
deny me no longer. DO you not see that
your own happiness depends upon your
answer? Now kiss me, dear, and tell
me that you will take the life you were
30 brave to save into your own Keeping"
He drew her gently toward him, but
she faced him suddenly, with great tears
trembling on her long lashes.
"Do you think it costs me nothing to
refuse you-you who have my life so
| beautiful these few short weeks? ! am
rude and ignorant-such wife would
burden and disgust you in time. 1t is
for your good that refuse to accept
what seems like heaven to me" And
then, swift rs deer, she flew along the
shore, leaving Mcintyre to struggle be-
tween anger, amusement, and wounded
self-love.
All that day he tried to speak with
Lizzie alone, but she gave him no OPP
portunity. At last, in very desperation,
he tapped mt the door of her fathers
room. Capt Clyde was again suffering
with rheumatism, and the young man
found him in his easy chair, while Liz
zie lowered about him.
capt. Clyde" said Mcintyre, ns he
blocked the doorway with his broad
shoulders to prevent Lizzie from escr,p-
ing, ~ wish to say a few words to your
daughter i'll your presence, since she re-
fuses to grant me that privilege else
where"
"Say on, my lad, she should be proud
to hear whatever you have to say to
her."
"Well, Lizzie, will go away from
here tomorrow, and stay as long as you
bid me. When the time is up will re-
turn to claim you for my wife, You
shall see that this is no idle, passing
fancy"
His eyes, grave and sad, rested on the
girls flushed face, and the bluff captains
eyes widcned in amazement.
"Speak out, gal," he commanded.
"Have you anything to say to this
young man, who woos you like gentle
man? Shall he come-or MOP"
And Lizzie answered with downcast
eyes: ." If he comes one year from this
time, and still cares for me, will be
ready"
"And is this all, Lizzie ?" he said,
stepping toward her with outstretched
arms.
"No, III be boilnd!" said the old
man, with sly twinkle in his eyes.
"When | went counting, my little girl
used to kiss me-" And reaching overh he
gave Lizzie Il little push that sent her
into the arms of lover; whereupon they
all laughed, and Lizzie, after kissing
Mcintyre shyly. slipped from the room.
A whole year passed by, not unhappi-
ly to Lizzie, who had faithfully endeav-
Ored to improve herself. She spent the
winter "on the mainland" with some
friends. She studied, read, watched the
people about her, and, never coarse her
Ielf, despite her commonplace life ut
home, she fell easily into the new groove.
Although not unhappy, the girls cheek
was paler than of yore, and her eyes held
usefulness that had grown in them
since parting from her lover; for Occa-
sionally this thought crossed her dreams
for the future: "He may not come at
all-he may forget"
But Allan Mcintyre was truer than
most of his kind; for the early fall
brought him again to Lizzie's house
While he waited in the old-fashioned
sitting room, the door was opened hest
tatingly, and who was this before him ?
Allen had left Il young gypsy, magni-
ficent in her way, with coal black braids
and flashing eyes, yet scarcely the figure
for drawing room, in her short gown
and thick, coarse shoes; daughter of
the sea, sun-browned apd fearless But
this-wns this Lizzie? Agraceful woman
in trailing robes, and the shining hair
braided and coiled about her head, rest
ing in 4 coronet queen might envy,
above the low, broad brow. Paler than
of old, her eyes dOwncast. but shining
softly through their happy tears, her red
mouth smiling triumphantly. Was this
Lizzie? Why. not a woman in all the bril-
liant throng he remembered could COM
pare with her.
Every summer handsome gentleman
and his dark haired wife visit the old
ight-keeper's home; and every fall they
return to their stately home in a far away
city, where the lady does the honors Of
her grand house with a grace that charms
all.
And yet Allen Mcintyre laughingly
accuses his wife of " fishing for him."
| A Woman and n Wild Cat