The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-12-25

the best of men. l bean't much of a
scholard, but l know enough to tell'e
that we must ma bide at this place any
longer"
An amused smile played on the young
mans lips as he answered:
"Bladon, my kind old friend, I firmly
believe you are jealous of Miss Airing
tons attentions to me-"
Jealous, indeed!' the old fellow
grunted.
Yes, you are jealous as a schoolboy
in his puppy love, wild if anybody comes
near the object of your affections. You
literally cannot bear me to be depend
ent on anyone but yourself. Now sure
ly l may express gratitude to n young
lady, who has shown me so many kind
nesses, without being in love with her"
can bean't We in love with her, Mas
ter George? Bean't We mautherin' after
her this mint, like sick calf after its
mother? I've no patience with such
COINS on"
And what if 1 am" Arundel cried, in
burst of uncomfortable passion. do
You think that because / am blind to
the beauty of her person have no per-
ception of the sweet qualities of her
mind? There is no use trying to con-
ceal it from myself or yOu-God help
me. do love Wanda Arlington with
my whole heart and soul; love her with
all the ardor of a passion pent up by
the forbidding barrier of my terrible
misfortune"
There, there" old Bladon moaned,
holding up his hands in dismay. Il
knew how it would be when / saw thee
danglin' at her heels day after day. l
tell'ee her hath bewitched thee, lad,
an"
''She has done nothing unbecoming
the swee innocence of her pure nature.
Is it her fault that she is lovable? You
might as well blame the violet for its
perfume or the nightingale for its mel
ody as Wanda Arlington for her perfec-
ton"
''Oh, Lord. he's got it bad" Bladon
groaned.
But" Arundel continued, 81 am
man enough to bear my cross. Even if
l thought that in her ineffable pity she
would marry me am not base enough
to ask the sacrifice"
The Lord forbid!' Bladon calculated
with such JUNCTION that George Arundel
could scarce repress smile.
''Yes, dismiss from your mind all
thought of Wanda Arlington ever being
my wife, old FRIEND he said, cheerily,
for his long years of self-negation had
schooled his mind to constant exercise
of philosophy which robbed the Bit
terest disappointments of life of half
their sting. "She has given me the
blessed promise to be my sister; so you
must be content to keep my secret and
let her share with me your
SISTER Bladon interrupted with re-
newed disgust. $50 it's got to that, has
it? Sister indeed! They all begin the
game that way. / know what girl
means when she says she'll be your sis
teri means, Master George, that be-
fore you know where you are you'll
find yourself slippin' weddin' ring on
her finger, an then, heaven have mercy
on your
4nCiC "slo oOlACli4uo 81 SO4blSesl All
the old fellows horror of matrimony
that the young man, though he was in
no mood for the humorous, burst into
hearty roar of laughter.
AYE, laugh away now, Master
George: time will come when re wannot
be able tolaugh for cIyin'-thcn dunnot
say / dinna warn thee"
81 will not. You shall have the credit
of rescuing me from terrible i'm
pending fate. Harl1! there's the break
fast bell"
Bladon made no reply, but dutifully
led his young master indoors. Never
theless he communed with himself in
this fashion: "Poor, silly mawth; he
will flutter into the candle light an
SINCE his wings; but if old William
Bladon can save his masters son from
a woman's wiles, the curse of a second
Wanda may be spared the house of
Arundel"