The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-01-26
ABS OlAJ ELY PURE

love with you allY The old man was
silent, knowing the words were meant
for Leonard. But Leonard did not
speak She was unjust and bitter. he
thought, like all women. What if he
deferred his marriage for this chance of
fortune? 1t would be bat for month
or year. Or if, to be plain about it, he
did, as she chose to put it, rate money
higher than love? He was practical
man; he knew how he had been worst
ed and trampled on always for want cf
money: he had his chance now. Was
he to give it up for woman's kiss5
Joe, and Winny. too, no doubt, would
call it damnable thing to rob hundreds
of poor men of their homes on the
strength Of musty parchment. He
was a practical man. He saw things in
business light. It was for their sake
he did it--not his own.
Ben was ssroking her hair: 81 knowed
you'd wish me to stay, Winny. But
He looked at Heath, who hesisated
moment and then came forward, lean
ing his hand on chair back: Sergeant
Porter, you'll never leave your niece by
my will do not forget what she owes
you. Some day | hope TO repay her
great obligations in way that-that
may surprise you, sir" There was a
boyish choke in his voice at the word.
I'D be sorry if you paid me in any
way Leonard" the sergeant said, gently.
He loosed his hand and slipped quietly
to his own room. He felt he had no
right to be there with these young peo-
pie, who stood looking at each other,
holding their lives in the& hands. He
had the feeling of an intruder who had
jostled into a room where some one-a
stranger-iay dying.
The freight flashed pleasantly about
the homely little kitchen and about the
girl; it seemed to show Leonard his
honest place among men-work and
love. 1t was real life 30 far as it went.
1t drew him with strange strength from
the widowed house. The house behind
which was-whats
Under ali his fantastic ambitions, Len
Heath was naturally kind hearted,
affectionate fellow: besides, his imagin-
alton was at work: the tenants of the
Liverpool property were already real
to him--sturdy mill men, pale sewing
women, Little children from whom he
was going TO tlch their one chance in
the world; lie could hear the very worde
with which they would curse him wheu
he brought cut the musty parchment
that left them bsggared and homeless.
But behind the inusty parchment, ftt
him, was-money.
Winny fsncied she saw flicker of hl
old boyish, frank smile; her own face
glowed in an instant under it: Here is
your place, Leonard" -timidly turning
the comfortable chair about little.
How sweet and suficing she looked
in her pretty housewives dress, the hair
pushed back from her decided little
facet Her sbig dark eyes, soft, unrea-
soning, protesting against pain as a
deer's, followed him as he moved I'M
easily about. They haunted Leonard
Heath for years.
"Winny," he said, avoiding them
guilty, Il am going to leave you for
week, or month perhaps-not longer
She said nothing. How could she
struggle against this unknown power
which was drawing him away? But she
knew by instinct that it was taking him
away from her, and that for ever.
II am going to find certain thing.
1t is for your beneit-yours and Joe's.
You are not hurt at me? You say moth
ing"-sharply. sit is not for myself.
God knows am not selfish"
"No. you are not selfish, Leonard.
But--you do not find enough-here"