The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-08-03

should have said 1t to any living soul but you.s
What is the use of being great when there is
nobody to work fora Things might have been
different but the world is a hard place Ii
you-you"-
At this moment his hand touched hers; it
was accidental, but in the tenderness of his
heart he yielded to the temptation and took
it. Then there was moments pause, and
very gently she drew her hand away and
thrust it i'll her bosom.
''You have your wife to share your for
tune" she said; ''you have Effie to inherit it,
and you can leave your name to your coun-
try"
Then came heavy pause.
And you" be said, breaking it, what fu-
ture is there for you"
She laughed softly women have no fu-
ture and they ask none, At least | do not
now, though once | did. 1t is enough for
them If they can ever so little help the lives
Of others That is their happiness and their
reward ls-rest."
just then Mr. Granger came back from his
christening, and Beatrice rose ard went to
bed
Looks little pale, doesn't she, Mr.. Bing
hang said her father. II think she must
be troubled in her nind. The fact is-weIl
there is no reason why should not tell YOU :.
she thinks SO much OF you, and you might say
a word to brighten her up--well, it's about
Mr.. Davies. l fancy, you know, that shs
likes him and is vexed because he does not
come forward: Well, you see-of course
may be mistaken, but l have sometimes
thought that he may. have seen him lool.
as if he was thinking of it, though of course
it is more than Beatrice has got any right to
expect. She's only got herself and her good
looks to give him. and he is rich man. Think
of it, Mr.. Bingham" and the old gentleman
turned up his eyes piously, lust think what
thing it would be for her, and indeed for
all of us, if it should please God to send a
chance like that in her way; she would be
rich for life, and such q position But it is
possible; one never knows; he might take a
fancy to her. At any rate, Mr. Bingham, /
think you could cheer her up q little; there is
no need for her to give up hope yet"
Godfrey burst into short, grim laugh.
The idea of Beatrice languishing for Owen
Davies, indeed, the irony of the whole posi-
ton was too much for his sense of humor.
YES" he said, ~ dare say that it might
be good match for her, but do not know
Sect onl why, well enough, of course.
Women are soft, and can squeeze into most
holes, especially if they are well lined Be
sides, he may be bit heavy, but think she
| is pining for him, and it's pity that she
should waste her life like that. What, are
you going to bed? Well, good night-good
, night"
Godfrey did go to bed, but not to sleep.
For q long while he lay awake, thinking. He
thought of the last night which he had spent
in this little room, of its strange experiences
of all that had happened since, and of the
meeting of today. Could he, after that meet
ing, any longer doubt what were the feelings
with which Beatrice regarded himl 1t was
difficult to do so, and yet there still was room
| for error. Then he thought of what old Ed
ward had said to him, and of what Mr.
Granger had said with reference to Beatrice
and Owen Davies The views of both were
! crudely and even vulgarly expressed, but
they conceded, and, what was more, there
was truth in them, and he knew it. The idea
OF Beatrice marrying Mr.. Davies was, to put
it mildly, repulsive to him; but had he any
claim to stand between her and so desirable 6
settlement in lifel Clearly he had not; hi:
conscience told him so.
Could it be right, moreover, that this kline
of tie which existed between them should bt
knitted more closely? What would it mean
Trouble, and nothing but trouble, more es
pecially to Beatrice, who would fret her day:
away to no end. He had done wrong in com
ing here at all; he had done wrong in taking
her hand. He would make the only repara
ton in his power las though in such case a:
that of Beatrice PREPARATION were now posi-
| bleD He would efface himself from her life
and see her no more Then she might learn
to forget him, or, at the worst, to remember
him with but vague regret. Yes; cost
what it might, he would force himself to dc
it before any actual mischief ensued. The
only question was, should he not go further
Should he not tell her that she would do wei
to marry Mr.. Dayiesl
Pondering over this most painful question
at last he went to sleep