Little Falls transcript., 1883-09-28
Already she felt quite sure that the fiat lay

already she felt. quite sure that the fiat lay
in the girls own hands. exp
The m-rning ppeinted for the edition
dawned beautiful and bright They seemed
indeed like drones, intending upon some
busy hive OF workers, as they entered the
great building and looked about them.
Department after department they visited,
watching with interest the delicate, subtle
machinery and its wonderful workings. /.
Marion's cheek flushed with interest, and
Clay Clayton, noting it, thought he never
had seen her look more beauti eul.
To- day he determined he must speak,
when suddenly he heard'a little cry and
glancing up, saw her standing quite apart
from the group, her eyes ablazs, her lips
quiverlng. e =:.@..
At a little distance from her, adjusting
some piece of machinery. was man in 8
Workman's blouse. Her cry also attrac ted
him, and he looked mp.
Their eyes met. His face grew deathly
pale, but he gave no other sign of recogni-
tion. She went straight towards him, OBJ
livious of all, with hand outstretched.
"Chester" she said in voice scarce
louder than whisper. At last"
He bowed low i'll response, and took no
notice of her hand; but the old, dauntlsss
pride was in the uplifted head and fearless
glance.
Did you know that T was here?" she
questioned.
No." he replied; II am no longer in your
world"
@You will come to see ms?"
II can not"
=. Here his voice broke little.
'Mr. Clayton" she said @let me present
my friend, MIR. Thorley."
Spite Of innate bresding of the man,
some Of the instructive surprise at hearing
a steel worker addressed by Miss Willough-
by as friend, made itself apparent in the
manner he yet strove to conceal.
Then the party passed on. He wondered,
however, why Marion fingered moment in
the Office to address the superintendent
some question as they came out into the air.
He had meant, too, to ask her, on the way
home, the question which all day, and for
many days, had been trembling on his lips,
but there was q new expression in her eyes
and about her mouth which instinctively
told him that this was not the time to plead
his cause.
Had that fellow inside, who bowed so like
q gentleman, been any other than work.
man, he might have suspected him as some
way responsible. It was quite singular
should have addressed him as friend.
Doubtless some man who had seen better
days, and for whom she felt wonanly
sympathy.
"Can I see Mr.. Thorley?"
The mistress of the humble little cottage
in one of Chicago's suburbs looked up,
amazed at the beautiful young lady who
asked the question.
Indeed, suppose you may, miss. He's
gone up to his room, where he spends all
his evenings, and not bit Of supper to-
night has he touched. Shall I call him
down."
mo; let me go to him.
It's the first room to tbs right Of the
stairs, Miss. He's the only lodger have,
and you are his first visitor"
But the girl needed not the words. A
strange vision she surely was as she stood
an instant outside his door, clad in costly
velvets and rich furs; then she softly turned
the handle and entered.
He did not hear her. He had thrown
himself upon his sofa and buried his head
in its cushions. He was SO still, SO mo-
honless, she thought he must be sleeping.
She swiftly crossed the room, and laying
her hand gently upon his shoulder, called
his name.
MY God!'' he cried, and would have
started to his feet but that she held him
back, falling on her knees beside
him.
Chester" she pleaded, "you would not
come to me. My pride is less than yours
my love greater. have come to you.
Did you think that my heart
uttered the unworthy words for which you
have punished me all these years? 1 have
tried 50 long to find you. So long and SO
hopelessly!"
And she bowed her beautiful head and
sobbed outright.
Hush, dea1-hush! You should not
have come here, Marion. It might COM
promise you.
Compromise, me with my future hus-
band? See, Chester!" and she held up the
hand on which cleaned the ring, Il have
never accepted my freedom"
"My own brave girl" he said, his voice
softening even while he girded himself up
to the strength of which he stood IN such
need. "But the heaven you open to me Can
not be. / am foreman in the works where
you saw me to- day. Marion. My knowledge
and love of machinery stood me in
good stead. heard Of this opening
and secured it, To-day I was adjusting
some difficult piece Of work dared not
trust to the workman. / am In receipt of a
liberal salary, which am laying aside, dear,
living as poorly as I can, hoping one day to
buy an interest in the business. One 0,
two improvements have made are rapidly
attaining me this goal; but it is still far off.
can not ask you to wait, nor to forget the
years Of labor which have helped me to reach
it.
II have waited already too long, Chester,
she whispered. II am ready now to be-
come your wifs!"
His face grew deadly white.
"Do not tempt me, "he said hoarsely.
"Oh, Chester!" she said. when I have
so much money, why are you SO cruel and
SO proud!"
Il cannot 20 back to life of ease and
dependence" he answered-"even with
YOU. dear love, to brighten it. Bless you
for coming to me, Marion! Bless you fo1
showing me all that noble woman may be.
The memory of this hour will tighten all
future years.
Chester, you do not understand me,
she persisted. Il ask you to return to nc
life Of dependence. I will forget that
have single dollar in the world except
what you give me. will share whatever
honae you offer me--even this. For better
for, worse, darling, we pledged ourselves
as sacred ~ as though already we had stooo
before Gods altar! In Gods sight I am
your wife! claim my right to share you1
dark days as we'll as those on which the sun
of prosperity may shine"
He slrove to answer her, but his voice
broke. She had conquered; but, woman
like, she gave to HIM the glory of the vic
tory as she sobbed out her happiness upor
/ his heart.
A month later there was quiet wedding,
at which were neither flowers nor brides
maids, nor music; but Marion Willoughby
missed nothing. It was only after the GER
emony had been performed that Chester
showed her document which had been hi
wedding gift from the firm he had served
so faithfully, and which admitted him as
Junior partner from that date. But she
smiled half sadly as she looked at it through
a mist of tears.
"You said once dear" she whispered,