McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-05-08

glanced up at him once, with the
thought of flinging herself upon his
mercy by giving HIM her confidence;
but the stern expression of his face re-
PEELED her. ,
s.Miss May he said suddenly, .'you
are averse to this marriage"
His tone aided in rendering his words
an assertion. She was startled, but re-
piled quietly, "Do you think SOP"
81 must be blind if I could think
otherwise" he continued, with sud-
den energy. "May Warren, you know
that you hate me-that you would
rather die than become my wife, were
it not for your fathers sake.'
Before she realized what she was
doing the monosyllable "yes" slipped
from her tongue.
"And in doing this do you realize
how you would wrong us bothp"
She was silent.
you my wife, knowing that you do not
love me-that your heart is not in my
keeping. l will not tell you of my
hopes, how have dreamed that my
last days would be my happiest ones
it would not interest you. Now have
only to say that you are as free as if l
had never seen your sweet face"
He paused for reply, but she made
none. Bewildered by..her position, she
did not know what to say.
81 know that I have only myself to
reproach, he went on, ssMy motive
in offering your father my assistance
was purely selfish one. The conse-
quences are only what l deserve. I
had no thought of the long years dur
ing which he had been my true and
faithful friend, but cruelty took adj
vantage of his position to gain my own
ends. Yes, l am properly punished.
There was a bitterness in his tone, q
dependency in his attitude, that greatly
changed his accustomed dignified COM
pesure of manner. Half unconscious
of what she did, only sensible of tn
pity she felt for him, the young girl
put her hand upon his arm and tnen
said, softly;
"Forgive me-"
"Forgive me, rather, my child" he
said, gently, taking the little hand in
one of his, for the misery / have
caused you. I should have known
that our paths in life could never be
one. But goodnight, Twill not de-
tain you"
She did not shrink from him as he
bent down to kiss her forehead with his
last words. He stepped aside to allow
her free passage to. the house, but she
did not move.
"You are thinking Of your father"
he said. stDo not be distressed on his
account. Remember me in your pray
srs tonight, and sleep sweetly. 1t
is all ASK
He did not wait to hear her fervent
"God bless you'll" or witness her burst
of joyful tears, but quickly left her.
The morning sunshine streamed
boldly into the apartment of old Mr..
Warren, where he lay in the heavy
sleep of mental and physical exhaus-
ton The forenoon was far advanced
when servant reused him, informing
him that Colonel Leighton waited him
in the library. Making a hasty toilet,
the old man left his chamber and went
to join his friend. The gentlemen met
cordially, and Colonel Leighton i'm
mediately requested that May be sent
for. They waited but few minutes
before the door swung noislessly open,
and wearing white morning robe, the
young girl entered. At motion from
her father she sat down upon a low
seat at bis feet, and then glanced up
with q confding smile at Colonel
Leighton, who stood leaning against
the mantlepiece with an exl res sion of
face half-sad. half-admiringly.
"We are waiting for your answer,
May" said Mr.. Warren, quietly.
81 will leave the matter entirely in
Colonel Leighton's hands," she re-
piled.
The old man glanced perplexedly
from her to his friend. Colonel Leigh
ton stepped forward.
"My old friend, James Warren" he
said, 81 met your daughter last night
and talked with her. 1 discovered
with what feelings she regarded a
marriage with me, and cannot allow
the sacrifice she would make for your
sake. l will never marry her; she is
free. And now I have to ask your
pardon for the unmanly way in which
I have taken advantage Of your en-
barrassments and have come 80 near
to destroying the happiness of your
child. Every power of mine shall be
exerted to its utmost to relieve you,
and all the reward l ask is the knowl-
edge that you and May do not despise
me. Nay, nay, no thanks. I deserve
rather to be scorned for the part l have
acted. have >One favor to ask, old
friend. Will you allow me to choose
husband for your daughterP''
"You have my full and free permits
sion," said Mr.. Warren, smiling
through his tears. 'But hope you
will be more successful in your choice
than have BEEN"
"Never fear," said the colonel, with
a glance at May. Flinging open door
which led to another apartment, he