The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-04-22
The Old, Old Story.
The Case Of Sanford W. Fanshaw

the adopted child OF very wealthy NUM-, sue
had never felt the chilly blast OF poverty;
probably never would, since now she was the
betrothed of Arthur Fanshaw, and his name
was good for million
had been Kathleen's intimate friend and
bosom companion ever since our school days;
to me there had never been 80 dear and true
friend.
But could not shut my eyes to her beset
ting sin-prldc She had always listened pa
tiently but with a sarcastic CLEAN IN her
brown eyes, and when | had finished she
would lay her head on my knee and smile up
into my face mischievously.
"Dear old Mentor" she would say; "it's no
use Pride was the sole inheritance left me,
and, though 1t wreck all my happiness, can
not conquer It,"
One day she came to my side and held up
one white finger encircled by a costly diamond
ring. In answer to my startled look OF inoui.
ry she said slowly, as though it panied her ::
ut Is Arthur Fanshaw's ring, cherie; l have
promised to be his wife"
Arthur Fanshaw, the blase man of the
world; cynlc, sceptlc, everything hard and
unnatural. To throw away her youth and
purity upon Arthur Fanshaw! 1t was cruel
thing"
20, Katle!" [ cried, 'tell me it's not true.
You do not love him know 1t. Why, then,
o! why do you make this sacriflce!
"Her lip curled scornfully.
There are million good reasons" she an
swcred bitterly
Then she went away, and when / saw her
again she was in the midst OF gay grOnp,
lovely in her gitterlng ball dress; and Arthur
Fanshaw was by her side, his hard, cold eyes
lighted with frosty CLEAN of selfish love, his
engagement to the fair New YORK belle pub
licly announced
knew then that the match had been of her
Aunt Langey's making; that her ambition
for her beautiful niece had at last attained the
height of wealthy marriage, and that to In
duce Kathleen submit she had COntrlved to
make her realize her dependence And Kath.
leen, feeling herself q burden on her bounty,
''Wcary Of eating another's bread,
And toling up and down another's stairs"
Her pride had carried her through, and she
had consented to the sacrifice.
Soon after, Mrs. Langley projected a trip to
Florida and begged me to accompany her and
Kathleen; Mr.. Fanshaw, of course, was to
follow
We arrived at our destination, romantic
little village in the last stages of dilapidaiOn.
We settled ourselves in long, rambling cot
tage, near the loveliest lake IN the world and
enjoyed the semi-tropical climate to our
hearts content.
We had not been there three days when
Kathleen appeared one morning IN the room
where was sitting with her aunt over our
fancy work, looking charmIngly IN short
costume, with wide sun hat and gauntlet
gloves.
81 am going to learn to row, If you have no
objections, auntle," she said gaily.
"WhO in the world IL gong to teach you"
Kathleen glanced through the long French
window to the shore, but few rods away,
where tiny boat lay moored and a mascu.
line figure lOunged back among the cushions,
lazlly putting good cigar.
"Oh, don't know his name," she laughed
scOrnfully. Zone of the aborigines here |
have engaged his services at so much for an
hour, and tor the rest, as Mr.. Toots would say,
il is of no consequence, auntle"
81 trust Mr.. Fanshaw approves" began her
aunt.
IL am not Mr.. Fanshaw's property as yet"
suggested Kathleen, and before another re-
mark could be prottered she was out of the
house, down the path, and off in the direction
OF the lake shore.
The boating lessons seemed to take up a
great deal of her time and attention after that
but never CHANGED to get nearer view OF
her teacher, and, judging HIM by others of the
native inhabitants whom / met, felt little in.
terest IN the unknown.
"Come, ladies'" said Mr. Fanshaw one day,
"let us go out on the lake; have boat en-
gagged and waiting your service"
We did not require second invitation, and
soon we gathered on the beach, where the
lake spread out before us Its broad, unrutfled
bocom, its green cool lily pads, and over all
the blue, cloudless sky of Florida midwin-
ter with the sun, like great untwlnkling eye,
staring lazlly down upon US.
miss Langley" said q voice near us-a low,
rich, sweet voice, like liquid music-"l beg
your pardon for intrudlng, but the boat is I'm.
safe. She has been for some time out of re-
pair. | feel you will meet with an accident if
you go out in her"
A young man stood at Kathleen's side, a tall,
slender man, with face like picture, with
great slumberOus dark eyes, and a nameless
grace and fascination about him.
But his dress was coarse and common and
his hands were embrOwned with toll
Will that wonderful face and figure, like
some o.. ,tatue he was only fisherman after
all.
Kathleen's face was flushed, and she glanced
up timdly. But before she could say word
Mr.. Fanshaw turned upon the intruder with
cool stare of lnsolence.
What do you mean =" he demanded. How
dare you interfere with my business, SIR
The young man raised his hat with grace.
full bow.
my name is Sanford, )" he said quietly, Ray
Sanford. live about mile above the beach.
am accustomed to the lake; spend half my
time upon it. l know all the boats. The one
you have chosen is unsafe. II you go out in
her you will certainly be drowned
He put on his hat and walked away without
awOrd
He was proud, too; 1t was easy to see that.
glanced at Kathleen she did not see me.
Her eyes were bent upon the retreating figure,
IN 10 drncS m
shining sand,
/ saw her cinch her hands and set her teeth
firmly together; then her gaze encountered
mine, and, starting slightly, che forced a
smile.
''Are you ready ladies 9"