The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-07

ton lOee OF character, however undeserved,
means blank and irremediable ruinv'
The squire heard her piteous words with
an expression of the deepest pain. Evidently
they cut him to the heart. For, though he
was not really to blame for what had hap
pened, and could not be held responsible
Tor his brothers perfdy, still the fact that
the culprit was one of his own flesh and
blood, as we'll as that he had first brought
Marshall and Miss Kinglake together, must
have made his sensitive, scrupulous heart
feel that the disgrace OF the affair. it not
the guilt, was stronglr reflected upon him
self.
miss Kinelaae,'' he said, in low, hur-
ried voice, II must have some time to think
over what you have told me. So you had
upon you tomorrow morning, when, after
due reflection, we must ste what can be
DONE"
"Then you will help me, s,r?'' she en-
treated piteously.
God knows he replied. emphatically.
be given!''
She muttered few scarcely audible
words Of thanks. then took her departure,
leaving Arthur Graves to his own reflections.
All that night he never went to bed. In
deed had he done SO it would have been fu-
not let him sleep. Most of the time he sat
in his armchair, with his head bowed and
his forehead resting on his hands. But
now and then he would rise and pace the
room, muttering incoherently to himself as
he did 90. It was evident that great
struggle was going on within him. Doubt
less ne was trying to ind m answer to the
ton to be made? How was the right to be
done?
Next morning after he had refreshed HIM
self With cold bath and gone through the
form Of breakfast, he started off on his
promised visit to the schoolmistress; for it
was Saturday, and there was no school on
that day. As he walked thither, his face
wore the set determined look of one who
had taken desperate resolve; while q
strange light-the light of conscious pride
and triumph-fashed clear from his eyes.
Reaching Miss Kinglake's house, he
him, and ushered him into her inner parlor.
Poor girl! She evidently, too, had passed a
sleepless night, and the glare of daylight,
falling on her face, revealed piteous, bag
gard expression of misery which must have
gone to the hearts of any but the hardest.
she could not articulate a word. So the
squire began: From what you told me
last night, Miss Kinglake, my brothers.
perfdy has placed you in a terrible position
has caused you, though absolutely inno-
cent Of wrong, to forfeit your character in
ono 0fco VI tAo V!ldKe. huOW1uR low Cr~eA
people are in their Judgment upon others
how incredulous of virtue, especially in q
beautiful girl, l fear that the consequences
OF this undeserved stigma will be no less
fatal to you than you said. But-but-
there is one way of saving yourself-will
you promise to embrace ity'
"0h, most thankfully" she cried. clasp
ing her hands. "For know you are kind
and true, and will only advise me for the
bestv'
'.Then hold you to your lromisev' he
answered, with strange calmness of tone.
Miss kinglake. NY family has done you
MARSHALL s oannoe ai but yob me
And, oh. do not think me presumptious-.
can Provided you will have me.
will marry you!''
For some moments she stared at him in
amazement-as if not realizing
the meaning of his words. Then, all of a
tude, she fell ON her knees before him, and.
selling one of his hands in hers. covered it |
with tears and kisses.
mo. mop she cried. '.You may not-you
must not. l cannot let you thus sacrifice |
Yourself for me; will not drag you down |
and
Before she could finish be had raised her
gently in his arms and gravely touched her
forehead with his lips.
You have given me your PROMISE" he |
SAID, and shall not allow you-to retract.
Beside, You Will MT drag mo down. On I
the contrary, know that yon will always
help and sustain me in carrying out, as |
hope am carrying it out to-day, my ia
rorite old maxim-noblesse oblige.''
\ 4
1t was some months later, and they were
llready married, when Arthur's wife slipped
Ter hand through his arm. as they strolled
lbout the garden one evening, and said
tVnrs |
# duty / know, Arthur. But you have
'een 80 kind and tender toward me that l
I'm bold enough to ask: Have you yet be-
,un to love me just little bit?''
"Nay! he answered with smile. "'Tis
.ather for me to ask you that. For twas
'eally in lover"
She blushed. and, pressing closer to him,
aunt me with my folly.' she murmured.
All, you donot know! From the first mo-
nent saw you ii loved you: but, you
we're 60 Tar above me, and always seemed
10 cold and distant, that-that-I had no
lope. And I was dazzled and fascinated
y your brother when Ipromised to marry
INN. But, If had had the faintest expec-
alton OF winning your love, my answer to
llm would have been very different.
[here!' (Ethel shuddered as she spoke.
Let Us never mention his name again"
DO not say that. :" replied her husband.
Listen, Ethel. Now that you have made
our confession, will make mine. l, too,
owed you, Ethel, from the frst.''
You did!' cried his wife, looking at him
lalf incfedulously. "Oh, why
why did keep it secret? was shy and
wkward with girls. I feared, too, that ii
old you of my love, you would misconstrue
:, and think it meant what it 30 often does
aean when offered by a man to one whom
he artificial law of caste ranks beneath
i'm. Then Marshall came ON the scene.
10 not be nard On him, Ethel. To Marshall
70 both owe our happiness"
.! forgive him. said the wife, with all
~ eart."-London Truth.
Balls Photos, Cheapest and Best.
Our holiday photos, in latest tyles, fine
= retouched and elegantly finished, are the
heaneSf and best in fhA CITY 7 y Ball 4 |