The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-01-21
THURSDAY

OF an earlier period. 1t stopped
the gate, and she saw 1t Was Lat
r;ston. Then he advanced, bowling:
do you remember" he asked.
Perfectly" replied Blanche. "Have
you come for another glass ofwater?"
He tried to laugh. no"
She went on mockinely: "You must
have been Il irsty all these years if you
depended on me. Do you know you
have grown perceptibly older since
first saw you here?"
II don't know how / looked them
said he, "but I remember how you
looked"
"Ah, and you see a great change in
me, too?" Blanche queried.
mo. That is-changes; yes. But
only changes for the better. There is
one other" he proceeded more timid-
ly, (which l should like to see. 1t
might be called--for better, for worse.
what do you mean?"
II can't EXPLAIN" said Lauriston,
Eat this moment"
"But / suppose" she suggested,
''you can explain how it is that
have the pleasure of a call from you
now. We have been so often under
the same roof-the theater roof-and
yet we never had a formal introduce
ton, / believe. Doyou," she asked with
charming languor-"do you really
know who | ann"
His bright eyes darted q glance at
her and then dropped. He began tap
ping the veranda railing with O small
cane. This gave Blanche time to note
how much his expression had changed.
There was no longer that superior Sc
verify about the lips which had vexed
her the first time she saw him.
YOU'RE trying to tease me, he said
"and you have the right to. How
strange that this is only our second
meeting, and yet I know you SO
WE'LL"
care you sure? Blanche demanded.
Then, suddenly rising: "That cane OF
yours reminds me. l must show you
my riding whip. It's quite curiosi-
ty."
She stepped within the doorway and
quickly emerged again, carrying slim
wooden whip with an ivory handle.
l don't see anything remarkable
about that" said Lauriston.
"It's made of willow" Blanche said.
"Willow?" he repeated, touching
his forehead las if to aid him in guessing.
What is there curious in that?"
She pointed toward the fence by
the gate. sit came from that tree, T"
she explained. In truth, there was a
fair-sized willow tree fourishing on
the spot. A few words made clear to
him how it had sprung from the shoot
he had planted.
"Good heavens!' he exclaimed. ri
had forgotten. So long ago, and such
an accident! It's natural parable,
Miss Pomeroy; for it is just in that
way that my interest in you has grown
up till"
"Stop" said Blanche. "What
makes you think 1 will listen to all
this?"
Nothing, except lovers hope"
Lauriston answered.
She looked long and searchingly at
him. Then she said: "Wehre not on
on the stage. Let us have no artifice. It
gives me pleasure to inspire genuine
sentiment, and yours must be genuine.
it has lasted so long. But how is it
that when you were for years content
to consider me as an actress, with
whom you never cared to renew a
chance acquaintance, you are ready
now to think of me so differntly?"
1t was my timidity and prejudice
that held me back" he returned. 81
did not want you to be on the stage,
and yet l loved you. My miserable
pride IS beaten at last, and ask you
to be my wife,"
"At last" she echoed. "Does that
settle it? Then l was simply to wait
your time. Perhaps you will find it
too late after ALL"
Don't say that, Blanche" he implor-
ed.
The temptation to act out her old
girlish love scene came strongly upon
her. "Ive a great mind. to reject
you" she declared, Gust for dramat-
ic effect" But she ended with laugh
that trembled. "There you see" she
resumed, II am an actress even at
this moment. How can you believe
in me, or ever think me genuine?"
IT can't do otherwise than believe"
said Lauriston.
She moved a step nearer, and said,
in a soft voice, hall as if she were jest
ing: "I'll tell you what will do. I'll
reward you. You left your whip here
and also your heart, it seems. Now,
you shall have this whip that grew
from the one you left, and I will keep
the heart"
Lauriston was still in suspense.
Have you nothing else for me?" he
asked, fearfully.
Everything, if you choose, except
my artist life. I cannot. give up
that"
"You need not; you must not" he
declared.
She gazed away III front of her at
the schooners that were Engaging
along the river as if they had stayed
there these nine years. Tnesails were
all bright now.
"Well, them" said she, letting her
hand glide into his.
And so Lauriston recovered his rid
ing-Whip,