Daily Republican., 1888-05-04
LOVED ar LAsr,

l W@AbeAAo w hoaA uOui ndhTRHretI
own lips that she did not love hin
enough to become his wife. II hat
been her fathers dying wish that they
should be united, and she had partl,
consented In order TO ease his last mo
ments.
She told DR.. Walborne Just how tn,
case stood, and he was too much OF {
man to try and force her to keep tn,
promise she had partially made to hel
father.
He thought one reason because sht
did not want to marry him was on &C
count of his lameness, but he resolved
that he would make himself worthy oi
her and win her at any cost
He bade her farewell and wen,
abroad, while Margaret Osborne after
years time joined her aunt, Mrs.
Dent, In the city, where her beauty
was soon the talk of society.
In the midst of frivollty and plea.
sure, with which she was surrounded,
she missed Robert Walborne, and his
grave face often appeared in hei
dreams. She had little sympathy with
the vapid youths who bored her with
their admiration.
Though she was known to have but
q small income and was chillingly in.
different to admiration, she had more
than one offer of marriage whose re-
fusal surprised Mrs. Dent. That good
lady, however, enjoying her niece's
society, was in no haste to lose 1t, and
only smiled pityingly over the woes oi
the victims, and said :
"At least, no one can accuse Mar.
garet of flirting. | do not see how
they dared to propose to such an
icicle."
Yet she was no icicle in her own
home, being full of housewifely cares
to help her aunt. loving sister to hei
cousin Wilcox, and the idol of every
servant In the big house.
The season had passed and the
Spring was wooing them back to
Woodvale, when great German pro.
lessor of music with whom Margaret
had established friendship, spoke the
name she 30 seldom heard. They had
been talking of the German baths Tor
invalids, when Herr Grimmell said
"One OF oar most famous physicians
Is an American who came TO Germany
for the baths. He was terribly crippled
and 1t was two years before he could
walk with perfect freedom, but no one
would guess now that he ever used a
cane. He Is very active among the
poor and has performed some wonder.
ful cures. Perhaps you have heard of
nim-Dr. Robert Walborne,"
Margaret's eyes widened, and her
cheeks flushed deeply.
"Curedl Did yeu say cured2" she
cried. "0hl that seems news too good
to be true"
"But it is true" persisted the Pro
fessor. "He is my dear friend, my
best comrade, who raised me from
deaths door and tended me like a
brother"
''Ahw said Margaret, with child's
trankness, ''you have made me very
happy. thank you"
Was it the letter that was sent the
next day to Germany, in which Herr
Grinmell gave graphic description
of this interview, that made Germany
suddenly distasteful to Robert Wal
bornep Margaret rejoiced in his re-
covery, was made happy by his
praise. Over and over again did the
tall, heavily bearded man, who so lit
tie resembled the crippled invalid,
read the words that made his heart
leap with joy. And while he was
thinking longingly of his own country
a white winged messenger came to
him, just few lines sent from a full
heart:
DEAR ROBERT; Can you forgive nae
the pain once gave you sufficiently
10 let me write you my heartfelt CON
gratulations2 l am so glad for you
that l must let you know it. Ever
your friend, MARGARET
There were June roses at Woodvale
when DIR. Walborne babe it farewell,
and they were in full bloom again
when he strobe with q firm, manly
step across the porch. Margaret had
a cluster of them in her hair and at
the throat of her soft white dress.
Just where he had left her she was
when he came back to her.
In spite of the erect figure, the heavy
beard, she knew him, ami a delicate |
color sprang to her cheeks under the
eloquenee of his loving eyes.
Margaret, he said, taking her
hands In his own, ~ know | ought to |
wait yet long time before l speak of
love to yon; but have come home to
stay or return, as you decide. l can
not come to you as an indifferent visi-
tor, my darling. You must know me
for your lover, though will not urge
a hasty answer. But If you can never
love me tell me now"
She lifted her eyes that had dropped
under his gaze.
"Ah," he cried, .you will tryl You
will learn to love mei'
Bravely, blushing deeply, shs said:
II do not need to learn, Robert. II
think my father knew my heart better
than did myself"
So the German town lost its hoEored
but for miles about Robert
Walborne's home his name was a |
word for skill and tender
ness in his chosen profession, and
heart, that he left sleeping,
wakened to full love and perfect sym |
pathy under the devotion of her hus.
band.
--SaS-%.