The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1880-11-27

He spoke rapidly; incoherently, but
Patty stood there perfectly still, the
surge OF color all gone from her face.
Years ago" he went on hurriedlv,
still holding her hands in that strained
clasp, ''our parents contracted an en-
gagement between myself and Pearl
Darchante daughter of the New York
merchant prince, named Barren. l be-
heve your aunt said they were relatives
of yours, when | mentioned the simili-
tude OF your names. 1t was TO have
been marriage de CONVEYANCE and l
did not rebel, because | loved no woman
till | saw you, my darling; but now it
can never be! My dearest, my dearest,
how much do yor' bring me in return for
this mighty love of mine p
Roy, remember you are bound
bound! This girl-she is rich, is she
not %
Immensely; but what are riches
what, after all, is anything compared to
love? And you-surely surely, you
love me, dear?"
Yes-but-"
pray, Patty he cried out, passion
ately, brokenly, tell me-whet shall l
do?"
The mans nature was too noble to
have had any difficulty in resigning
Benjamin Darren's heiress; but his love
and his honor were at war now, and they
were both dear to him.
Tell me, /" he urged. Il want you
you only for my wife, beloved What
shall DO"
She looked at him with grave, blue
eyes, as she said, softly:
Remember your honor, Roy.
What ls it to love ? But 1 viii abide
by your decision. What shall it be,
dear-love or honor, Patty or Pearl o.
There was no sound for awhile, save
the chatter of the blackbirds, up in the
oak tree.
Roy, do this; Go to the girl to
whom you are In honor bound, a week
from to-day; no sooner-it is a whim of
mine Ii she loves her letters, YOU
must help her to bear them; if not
" Ii notch, If not? 1t Is hard, but /
will do it. And, oh, my love, my little
loVe-pray that she may hate met
Up and down, up and down, IN the
long parlors of Pearl Darren's palatial
home, paced Roy Harland.
What would the next hour bring him
veal or woe, JOY or sorrow, Patty or
Pearl? Soon he would know his fate
What would it be?
The door opened, and a figure came
softly into the room, bringing with it a
faint, sweet perfume of violets-a state
~, girish figure, clad in pale blue,
shimmering, silken robes, and clouds OF
foamy lace. In the twilight dimness
you could catch the flash of Jewels on
the warm, white, marble column of her
throat.
Dressed for ball tonight, Gin gloss
of satin and glimmer OF pearls, was this
slender, blue-eyed queen
Roy Harland went toward her, but
her back was to the light, az she faced
him, and he could not see her distinctly.
"Miss Barren, l presume?" he said,
coldly.
But the girl before him, with a low
CRY, held out her hands a-shine with
gems.
Roy! Roy"
He sprang forward, swift Joy leaping
into his eyes, succeeded by profound as
constituent.
Patty-you here?''
"Where else should be, save in my
fathers house? Roy Royl won't You
underestimate"
Aye! he understood now, and, with q
great hymn OF thanksgiving in his heart,
blaze of passionate love in his face,
clasped her closer in his eager arms.
Don't you pray that | should hate
you now, Roy-don't YOU? Which shall
it be-oh, my love-Patty or Pearl ?"
He laugbed-such a good, contented,
blissful laugh-and his hands were tan
gled in the loose, gold pillows Of her
hair, as he bent to kiss the fair young
face
Both, my darling," he answered
"bothr