Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-07-26

mover IN tins match. L saw EeT ny dooi-
dent to-day. and though had made up my
mind to say no more on the subject,
found that could not let it go that way.
She looks restless and unhappy; l am sure
she is not reconclled, and yet near thas
the weddng-day is set"
at comes within the week, Miss Ever
leigh"
"And YOU are determined to aid and abet
that man. to her lifelong misery! What are
you-stone, ice, iron-that you have no
feeling for her. And once thought you
model brother! an honorable, generous
hearted man!''
A red fame broke into the pale cheek
now. Such an outbreak from Miss Ever
leigh was unprecedented, but some strong
emotion was carrying her out OF hersel1.
A faint bitter smile came and went on
Lyman's face.
as it solicitude for Carols happiness
alone which is leading you to make this APP
pealY' he asked. as there not more sollcl-
tude for the happiness-or the fancied'h hap
piness-of another person back of it!''
WHY he should torture himself by asking
that question, Lyman Chllder scarcely
knew. In his heart, Notwithstanding that
he knew Norris Bergman was devoted 10
his sister. he was still bitterly jealous OF
that Young man. Though he did not love
Althea. Althea might love him. Certainly,
she had shown her preference for hun most
Enthusiastically.
POSSIBLY the sacrifice is not all on Carols
side" he went on, with quiet steadlness
of purpose, now that the subject was
launched 81 have heard that women DO
strange things, sometimes, for the men they
love- One may even plead the cause OF her
to la, hoo NJ h,sno
"Hearts do not break so easily. But you
are right: it is not for Carols sake alone l
have come to you. My interest in Norris is
quite strong enough to make me humiliate
myself to ask a favor of one as little dis
posed to grant it as you are, apparently l
wish there was some sacrifice | could make
strong enough to soften you"
The usefulness of those last words was
not lost on him, but he hardened himself to
her influence, outwardly at least.
"You will do better to console Bergman,
Miss Everleigh He is an honorable, gen
erous-hearted man. who will reach your
ideal much closer than THAN any other
probably would. l would not care for
second-h hand affection myself, yet speak
honestly when l say that l have not
doubt but you can inspire him with far
more passionate attachment than he has
for nv guileless little sister Such women
as you can sway men as they will"
81 wish that were so. Agree to what l
ask, break off this contemplated marriage,
and may believe you are speaking serl-
ously, not in sarcasm
"Ths matter is in Carols hands. You
may say what you like to her."
Eyes, and you have her coached to admit
| nothing to me-nothing Of what her looks
| betray."
| She clasped her hands together and
leaned a little forward, with sudden
change in her tone:
"Mr. Childer, we owe you debt OF
gratitude, father and /, but if your putting
that money in the firm must result in this,
better ten thousand times that you had
never obtained it for such use. / ana not
50 entirely ignorant of how it was obtained
as you may suppose"
Every drop of blood drained out of Lyman
| Ch:lder's face; he looked at her with
startled-one might think with terrified
eyes. Her glance was on the floor, fort
unately. She did not see that sudden,
CHASTITY change.
"You may not know that papa had an old
business acquaintance with Mr.. Farraker,
YOUR late uncle's lawyer. He had some
your first proposition to become his partner,
and he told the fact, laying stress upon the
generosity which prompted you to save him
in that way. The reply, some weeks later,
deprecated the disappointment he had prop-
ably suffered along with yourself, since
YOUR uncle's will had left but small
amount of comparatively worthless property
| to your sister and yourself instead OF the
fortune which was expected to revert to the
two of you"
Lyman's lips opened mechanically.
did it not occur to you that the worth
less property might have turned out better
than Farraker beleved.'
so papa said, so thought at the time.
Since that. have had reason to change my
mind Mr. Childer, if Hiram Ingot is using
some fact connected with the obtaining Of
that money to force Carols compliance, !
beg of YOU to save her at any cost to your
self or TO us. Better that all should go, than
that she be made unhappy for life"
Something of his natural color had come
back slowly to Lyman's face. One hand
plucked nervously at a button of his coat,
but his eyes were raised to meet, squarely,
vet with a sort of sullen resistance, those
dark ones that had tears flashing in them
now
lyon say you know how that money was
Obtained. Have you any objections to en-
tightening me to the full extent Of your
knowledge, and your means of obtaining it,
| Through Bergman, l suppose. His detect
i've instincts have led him to spy out my
sins and report them to you How has he
put it-that stole my partnership fund.'
"You do Norris injustice: you have al
ways done him injustice. He knows nothing
of what have been telling you. Ny own
observation, some boasts and insinuations
of Ingot's, are all that / draw my con-
illusions from. Can you tell me am wrong
while you yield TO him. even to the sacrifice
Of the sister you love!'
HIS eyes fell before her clear penetrating
glance Shadows crept over his coun-
tenance. His mood changed to one bitter
and scornful.
''Then you have been accusing me out Of
your inner consciousness only. Well, can
not hope to reinstate myself in your good
opinion, if ever held place there. Some
day you shall know whether you have judged
me truly or falsely; until them
''Glve me one assurance that am wrong
and will believe you,' spoke Althea, I'M
pulsively, even eagerly. She would rather
think well of him if she could.
What madness possessed Lyman that he
should answer her as he did.
u will give you no assurance. Were
lover. like Bergman. waiting for my doom
from your lips, l would swear to my inno-
cence. but have given mp all the preten-
sions l ever had to your favor, In this one
instance at least l will rival you in gen.
crosby Miss Everleigh. l resign in favor
Of the rival whom you would give up to
another love. You will think better of it,