The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-08-31

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"You have been standing here Ion.
enough in this damp and chill" h
said, drawing his hand within her arm
II watched you for fully five minutes
and YOU were SO absorbed in your owl
thoughts you never knew l was near
OF what were you thinking so intently
Dana? Of what / once said to YOU
here? You must know, think, that
have come to repeat it, though perhaps
it is my duty to tell you"
''Gordon, don't. Be my friend still
if you can. More than that, you-nt
one, can ever be"
"No onep'' He stopped stock still
looking down into her face. "No
Launt Harrington himself? Dana. is i
possible you can love him still?''
Three months ago. had he asked hel
that question, she could not have an
swered it as she answered now, lifting
her eyes with an effort to meet hel
glances.
while live. And he was not to blame
for leaving me. he could have done
nothing else. Shall tell you why he
did, Gordon? don't want you to mis-.
Judge him." in a wistful tone.
"Tell me-"
He could have done nothing else. II
seemed incredible to Gordon, but even
his incredulity melted away as he lis.
tened.
"She did not really-at least, moi
wilfully-cause his fathers death, but
Launt believed it, and believing it, he
could do nothing else"
There was little silence when she
paused. Darkness was falling fast, il
hid his face when he spoke again.
81 have a great deal of faith in mis-
takes like that coming right in the end.
This will be no exception to the gen.
eral rule. come to ask my greatest
happiness at your hands, Dana. but |
want YOU to believe that if | could lead
You directly to your happiness 1 would
do it with all joy, and-and good wish
es for both of YOU
They were drawing near her board
ing-place. He paused at the gate, and
took her hands.
1--WE will say goodbye here. Don't
forget. Dana, that shall be glad when
your happiness comes. Once more,
goodbye"
He was gone then, and she was look
ing after him with tears in her eyes.
She dried them. and turned within.
Miss Frenchr' Her landlady way
laid her in the hall There's visitor
for you in the parlor, q gentleman
that's been waiting there for an hour.
I'd run and slick myself up if l was
You before | went in
But Miss French chose to disregard
this friendly advice. She hung her
damp wraps on the hall-rack and
passed in directly. The red freight
from the open CRATE made a rosy glow
in the room. 1t fell upon the form and
face of the man she had never expect.
ed to see on earth again. He turned to
her. great eager light in the eyes
that questioned hers; then he took q
step toward her, and held out his arms
My darling. oh, my darlingr' was
what he said. The next moment she
was caught and drawn close, held there
as if he would never let her 90 again.
My darling. forgive me, forgive me!
1t was all mistake, Dana; great and
terrible mistake. And to think that il
nearly parted us. Nothing shall ever
do that again, nothing, if you can for
give me now"
Nothing? She made a vain struggle
to free herself. Was there not a dark
shadow of shame and guilt between, to
part them forever? But Launt held her
fast.
Murder had been done, but no kindred
blood cried out to him for vengeance.
If they were to be judged by the crimes
Of others, would not that of his father
the crime of elf-murder-weigh as
heavily rs the homicidal deed 10 which
q frenzied woman had been provoked
He heard all that story from her later.
He had only one answer for her as he
stopped down, and for the first time,
kissed her lips.
"iou are mine. Dana, and nothing on
earth shall part us again
That settled it. When April came in
there was the quietest of weddings. and
Mr.. and Mrs. harrington departed for
The South, where their future home
would be. At the very last, before
leaving, Dana took the necessary legal
steps which put her in possession of the
money her father had left-this by her
request. made in writing. at
line when she did not expect to see her
laughter. again. Quest put in his
lain, and received the reward which
he trustees had offered for the discov-
Try of the heir. but it was mere baga-
ellie compared to the price which he
lad received from Mrs. Oliphant.
Madame Harrington received the
Toung pair very kindly, all things con-
idered. To say that she approved of
he marriage would be going too far;
he prejudice of lifetime was not to be
in moment, but she hid her
lisapprobation and took Launt' wife in
Ter embrace, making the best of what
'ould not be helped. She would have
lone more. had it been necessary. to
AVE kept her boy; she had nearly lost
i'm. and that lesson was enough to last
nut her life.
"A Modern Gree" was shown at the
that year. The public was
'leased with it; the young artist was
dvanced a step in popular favor; orders
anne to him in increasing numbers, and
or the next three years Gordon Mar
uis made rapid strides upon the road
o fame.
At the end of that time came a letter
rom Lex:
my DEAR DANA" it read. "Did you think |
had gone irrevocably into the region of old |
began to have fears that such !
as the case myself. but | am going in for |
and domestic felicity at I
lSt- Who is the victim. do you ask An old |
anne of yours, my dear; quite celebrated |
erson and the catch of the season to-day, |
nd isn't it wonderful? I had quito little |
idretss for him myself. three years ago. 1 /
as, when i refused TO send your Launcelot /
} you because l thought my Gordon wanted |
on? Well it's all past now. if il has taken |