Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-01-13

pictures her fancy had painted of thu
future when she should be Paul's wife.
She recalled ali his tender words and
glances. and now in this hour. when
she was called upon TO give him up. she
felt her soul going out to him rs IL had
never gone out before, and she felt how
utterly impossible il would be to live
happily without him. and in spirit she
walled:
'Oh, Paul. Paul, how can give Won
up? How can L lose you? God, Thou
art just and righteous. and surely Thou
hast not forsalxen me in this dark hour
Help me, Lord, to save my parents, but
do not require me to do it Mt such n
cost"
Pearson returned and stopped before
the girl.
Well" he said. ''havc YOU decidedp"
NO" she replied, without looking
up, Il must have more time. VIII you
wait until Tomorrow"
Il suppose / must if You require IL,
but see no use in it. You ought to be
able to decide how you will act without
much thought. Ii Is n simple question.
On one side is your fathers honor and
happiness, your mothers life. and riches
for yourself, while on the other side
there is nothing but your own fancy.
You ought to be able to choose between
the two easily enough"
Il must have time. II is n matter of
more Importance to me than you say. l
must ask God to help and direct me"
Pearson gave light laugh ut this,
and the girl shrank farther from him.
TO give up dear Paul" she thought
lis enough to break my heart. but to
become the wife of this man makes the
sacrifice unbearablc."
She felt all her old loathing. of him
return, and If only herself had been in
the question, she would thousand
times rather have gone to deaths en-
brace than his.
Well" said Pearson after little ST.
lence. IF you must have until to-mor-
row to decide, suppose we go back"
p would rather go back alone. Lou
Use replied. You need not wait for
me-"
But You see, Louise, that would not
do. Your parents would suspicion
something, and if you are to take this
step to save them, they must not know
it. You would not want them TO know
it"
before we go, must make one more
appeal to you. | must beg you on my
knees to save them and spare me-" and
as Louise spoke she kneeled before
him, and with clasped hands and
streaming eyes begged piteously for
mercy at his hands.
lie let her proceed to finish, then
with shake of his head, replied:
1T is useless, Louise. am resolved
and nothing can change my purpose
will come back tomorrow, and | shall
expect your answer then. II you de-
eide to accept my offer, want YOU to
be ready to go away with me to-mor-
row night. We will leave letter ex-
planning everything TO your parents,
and after getting married at Magic
City we will take n train for the west
where we will spend few months
have reason for going away which
cannot explain now, but which will
tell you later. Now you know all nv
plans. and if you decide to be NV wife
you know what you will have to do, and
You must make your arrangements ac-
cordingly. Now if you are ready we
will return to the house"
Mr.. Pearson, can | not reach your
heart and prevail on you to be more
merciful?" Louise asked.
No, tell you it is useless to talk. 1
am not to be influenced from my pur-
pose. You can marry me and insure
the welfare of those you love, or You
can refuse me and let them take the
consequences"
Without another word Louise arose.
and in silence they walked back. Pear
son stopped only long enough to admon-
ish Louise that she must positively de-
eide by the morrow, then mounted his
horse and rode away to Magic City. He
knew what her decision would be, and
felt secure OF his prey-as secure of it
as though he had it already within his
grasp He knew that Louise would not
sacrifice her parents.