Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-11-11
Three short months later, and one
morning her father was found dead, in

/
the little room where be had lived.
His wealth was hers now, to do with
it as she willed. He had left it urre.
servedly to his only child, but it brought
no pleasure In its possession. The word
Insurer seemed stamped on every gold
en- coin, on every deed Of mortgage.
"You will ruin yourself, my dear
young lady," her lawyer said, whom she
insisted that from the face of many OF
the latter the large interest should be
swept away, but she stood firm.
"My father did it for my sake" she
said. / am happier without it,"
Slowly the year wore away, until
came around the anniversary of the
day, until which time the stranger had
asked her to have faith in him.
Had she, too, grown covetous, that,
as the morning deepened into noon, and
the noon to night, a heavy oppression
seemed to settle upon her. Had she
forgotten that this man had wife and
child 7
She did not pause to think, only when
the evening lamps were lighted, q sud
den sense Of loneliness swept over her
. bitter, unnamed disappointment,
which brought the thick and binding
tears in an unchecked torrent.
She did not hear the outer bell, nor
the opening of the door, until voice,
close behind her, said
"Miss Howard, | have come to redeem
my PROMISE
She started to her feet. In the dim,
uncertain light with which tho room
was yelled, she yet recognized the man
whom she had served on such sudden
impulse one short year ago. He had
come! A glad rush of Thanksgiving
thrilled her, yet she shrank when he
placed an envelope in her hand. It was
as though hidden tic had united them,
which this action severed.
1.-THE principal only is there. It is for
you to name the interest"
II have no friend" she answered. BE
my friend"
He raised her hand moment to bis
lips then left her; but she knew that he
would pay the interest she had de-
manded. ......
Two weeks wore on. A new, keen in
terest crept into her life. Evan Blair
came and went at will. He never spoke
of wife and child, never referred to the
past, until ono night pause had fallen
between them as they sat alone toge-
ther, which, as though overcome by on
overmastering impulse, he broke:
II promised" he said, ito pay what
ever interest on my debt You demanded.
lind / can not be true to my word.
You must release me-"
A dull pain weighed her heart as she
listened.
"You can not now be my friend" she
questioned slowly. "As you will, then.
give you the release you ask"
Her voice trembled, spite of the effort
to calm it. He rose and paced once,
twice, the length of the room. Then he
stopped before her. ..-...
"Can man give friendship when bis
starving soul cries for lovef"
"Hush" she interrupted, shrieking
back, "Your wife, your honor forbid
those Words"
my honor may" he replied, since
first came to you beggar, and you
gave me aims; but--my wife, What
do you meant | have no wifel All, /
see! You thought that was my wife
that you saw with me. No, Louise, it
was my brothers wife. Maddened, des-
perate in moment of despair, tor the
sake of wife and child. he had forged
his employers name to check, then
confessed his crime to me- It was to
save him ! needed the amount you gave
me, and to save name that had been
untarnished through long years. You
know now what you have done for me
and mine. Since that time ! have pros
pered but Louise, l can not forget that
all have l owe to you; that in your
eyes l must be the beggar whom you
have honored by naming him your
friend. Now, will You release me from
my bondp
She looked into his eyes; they rested
on her face, with the great love in
their depths which had prompted bis
words.
II can not" she replied. Like Shy
lock, I am merciless."
"After all that have told you, do you
mean"
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