Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-06-03

eSC, ana clay clayton, noting 1T,
thought he had never seen her look so
beautiful.
To-day he determined he must
speak, when suddenly he heard a lit,
tie cry, and, glancing up, saw her
standing quite apart from the group,
her eyes ablaze, her lips quivering.
At a little distance from her, adjust
ing some piece of machinery, was a
man in working blouse. Her cry
also attracted him, and he looked up.
Their eyes met. His face grew death
ly pale, but he gave no other sign OF
recognition. She went straight to-
ward him, oblivious of all, with hand
outstretched.
"Chesterp' she said, in voice
scarce louder than a whisper, "At
last!"
He bowed low in response, and took
no notice of her hand, but the old daunt-
less pride was in the uplifted head
and fearless glance.
"Did you know that I was mere ?"
she questioned.
NO." he replied, 81 am no longer in
"You will come and see me?"
II cannot"
Here his voice broke a little.
"Mr. Clayton" she said, "1et me pre-
sent my friend, Mr.. Thornley,"
Spite of the innate breeding of the
man, some of the instructive surprise
at hearing a steel-worker. addressed
by Miss Willoughby as a friend, made
itself apparent in the manner he yet
strove to conceal.
Then the party passed on. Hewon-
dered, however, why Marion fingered a
moment in the Office to address the
superintendent some questions as they
came out into the air. Hehad meant,
too, to have asked her on the way
home the question, which for all the
day and for many days, had been
trembling on his lips, but there was a
new expression in her eyes and mouth
which instantly told him this was not
the time to plead his cause.
Had that fellow inside, who bowed so
like gentleman, been otherwise than
a workman he might have suspected
him as in some way responsible. 1t
was quite singular enough as it was
that Miss Willoughby should have adj
dressed him as q friend. Doubtless
some man who had seen better days,
and for whom shefelt womanly pity.ss:
X X X
"Can 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 thequestion.
"Indeed, I suppose you may. He's
gone up to his room, where he spends
all his evenings, and not a bit of sup
! per has he touched. Shall I call him
down."
''No; let mego to him."
Its the first room to the right OF
the stairs, miss. He is the only ledger
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.
Heidi not hear her. Hehad thrown
himself upon his sofa and buried bis
head in it's cushion. He was so still,
so motionless, she thought he must be
sleeping.
She Swiftly crossed the room, and
laying her hand on his shoulder, called
his name.
"My God!" he cried, and would have
started to his feet, but 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 my heart
uttered the unworthy words for which
you have punished me all these years ?
l have tried to find you so long, so
long and so hopelessly."
And she bowed her beautiful head
and sobbed outright.
"Hush, dear, hush! You should
not have come here, Marion. Itmight
compromise YOU"
compromise me with my future
husband? See, Chester" and she
held up the hand on which cleaned
the ring. 81 have never accepted my
freedom"
"My own brave GIRL" he said, his
voice softening while he girded himself
up for the strength of which he stood
in such need. "But the heaven you
open for me cannot be. am foreman
in the works whereyou sawmeto-day,
Marion. My knowledge and love for
machinery stood me in great stead. I
heard of this opening and secured it..
To-day was adjusting some difficult
piece Of work dared not trust to any
workman. | am in receipt OF a liberal
salary, which | am laying aside, dear,
living is poorly as I can, hoping one
day to buy an interest in the business.
One or two improvements 1 have
made are rapidly attaining me the
goal, but it is still far off. I cannot
ask you to wait nor to forget the
years of labor which have helped me
to reach il" ri " .z.s
81 have waited already too long,
Chester" she whispered. i amrsady
now to become your wife. = s.. 80
His face grsw deadly white.