The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-03

dured;' and perhaps 1t wiz ana come
right"
s.Right2 How can It come rieht9 r
am sure 7 did not mean to insult him
only. Of course. could not think Of
marrying himi But now with "a sigh
Of intense relief, II fancy be viii DO
longer desire it And. TO ten the
truth. Mia. how do I know that he
has desired it? Perhaps he IS quite a.
opposed to marrying me as 4 ann 20
becoming his wife.
Mia looked hopeful.
Yes, dear. who knows2 Well. as
least try and forget the words you
said, and treat your fathers guest
with civility."
So, when the gentlemen returned 10
the great CHEEKY old country house. o.
the FIVE o'clock dinner, they found q
very sweet and demure little lady at-
tired in a white lawn dress with e
great red rose in the lace az her
throat. her blue eyes full Of kindli-
ness. as she received her fathers
guest
The evening passed socially. aud
when Bessie retired that night she
could not help feeling that il had
been a very pleasant one Daya
passed, and Gerald Keith remained az
Burton place He was very polite and
courteous in his manner TO Bessie, bun
he was quite attentive 10 her friend.
Gradually it came home TO Bessie
the state Of affairs, and she did not
approve.
He likes Mia" she said 20 her
self-her face flushing crimson
he despises me because he overheard
my foolish words. They were fool
ish-for how do 1 know anything iu
regard to his real nature2"
But she was destined to find out
That very evening she was walking
with Anita in a retired spot, some
distance from her home. A pretty
stretch of woodland, with a shining
river gliding swiftly by. All al once
there was the sound of rushing feet
upon the fallen leaves which strewed
the ground; and out of the woods,
just beyond them. a dog rushed made
~. A huge animal with red blood
shot eyes, and Protruding tongue
and jaws hecked with foam
One swift frightened glance and
the girls paused in horror.
The dog was madl
On he came, making straight for
them An instant more and he would
have sprung upon Bessie, who was
nearest him; but just at that moment
Gerald Keith suddenly appeared upon
the scene. Wrapping his Handkerchief
about his left hand, he caught the
dog by its jaws, and with his right
hand drew a revolver which he thrust
into the wide open mouth. A loud
report. muttered growl, and the
animal fell to the ground, rolling
over and over IN the agonies Of
When Gerald Keith turned once
more toward the two girls Bessie
caught his hand in both her own
Are you hurt?" she cried, excited
Oh, Mr.. Keith, how brave and noble
you arel'
Not at ALL he returned cooilys
'of course any. man would attempt 70
save his friends from such a horrible
later
''But--you are a herop' stammered
BESSIE, ''and IL said such hateful
Kings about you'll Can you ever for
rive me, Mr.. Keith?"
Not if you persist in calling me
dr- Keith" he returned, smilingly.
Won't you call me Gerald dear2
Bessie, love you, ] have always
owed you, think; can't You overcome
-our dislike of me and try and love
ne well enough in time 20 be my
vife?"
And the golden head sank upon his
boulder utterly unmindful Of Anita's
'resence, while the red lips whis-
ered:
''Yesi"
And SO Bessie found her herol