The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-08-21

words broke ont from proud. wounded
womanhocd.
No, no, Your generous pity, yoril
noble hcroishi, strive to veil the truth
Of my shamc-ycs, mine, mine,' she
sprang to her feet exclaiming willlr.
"For l know that in his blind love for
me my father forgot my womanloo |,
and offered me heaven! how an | say
it!-forced mt upon yon."
"Hnsl, Edith he exclaimed, sternlv.
lie did not, rs heaven is my witness.
He did not intimate to me anything Of
the kind until l broached tho subjec.
myself. Then only did le betray 10
me that that had been the one passion
ate wish Of his life, Of eighteen years.
to see his daughter the wife Of his loved
and trusted friend, before he diel. !
ask the honor at your own hands, my
dear, and if vou wish will now return
to your father, and thus give You time
to make up yonr mind whether yon will
accept or reject. In short time will
return for my answer
This was all, and Edith was once
more alone. Alone to think while her
brain was In 4 whirl, and her heart
seemed almost pulseless. He was
knightly to the core, gentlcmanly
to fault, and, oh, SO regardful oil
her feelings.
She walked the floor of the narrow
room, like young wild deer, longing
for lar,er field to scatter her sorrow
in.
The door opened softly, and she gave
a violent start rs she stopped suddenly
in her walk, and shrank back a little as
Col. Lennox entered the room. He
crossed the floor and paused at small
table, bending his head over it, no act.
ing In the whole attitude of dignitied
Difference, and sweet grave voice and
manner; it was only simple nature in
this chivalrous gentleman to take the
role OF suppliant to this girl, whom he
was forced to WOO in this strange man
ner.
Thoughts rapid and humiliating were
chasing each other through the brain
OF Edith as she stood there with folded
hands, and the color coming and going
in her beautiful face. Some thought,
some memory of Cyril Balfonr, pride
womanhood desperately wounded b.
the very pity, the generosity which she
knew, despite all he could say, had die
tated the offer. She thought he must
despise her for being mercenarv, ant
all too soon as burden forced on hin
for life. And vet, through it all, stood
out in letters of fire that it was her fa
Tiers dying wish, one hope, that thai
he was lying now in the next room il
agony Of suspense for her answer; ant
how could she. how could she cost he1
what 1t might --cmbtter his last mo
ments? What could be worse than tn,
| remorse that must then haunt hcr ever
more?
is my answer what may dare hope
! Is tiny Wife,"
The blood mounted to the lar fac,
and back again. leaving it deathly white
and she tried to speak, but only voice
less whisper quivered over the trem
bling lips.
Forgive bear with mel will II,
| toto
One step forward and she was cnfold
ed in his arms, and the warm lip
pressed n kiss-a grave kiss on he
brow not lovers clasp, not a lover
kiss, but it scarcely needed the addet
language of those lips, steadfast low
spoken words, rs her tears fell fast an,
| heavy on his breast.
Heaven helping me, ! will try to a
my duty by this Young life TINS giyel
to me. and make good every VOW III,
| lips must SO soon speak for her
Hush, my child Once more h
touched her brow, and gently loose,
her. 10 to your father, for must e
Mt once to DIR. Morton's, and to til,
Clergy House of st. Alphage.'
| S he knew what for. and moved tow
ard the door. which he held open TO
her to pass through