The free press., 1894-02-15

| Ac"olp buet lol
days after, for John Bronson fought
hard battle between life and death,
and it was necessary to have doctor
constantly near The house soon set
tied into that gloomy state which
serious illness casts over even the most
Joyous. Mrs Bronson moved softly
around, always dainty and pretty, her
blue eyes full of tears, but as useless
and helpless as an infant. All the care
OF nursing fell to Gladys, who day
and night remained by her fathers
side. During those few weeks Robert
Ellison had found the passion of his
life.
He loved with all the devotion of q
strong manhood the girl whose lonely
vigils he had shared and whom he had
comforted in her sorrow with a sin
cerity OF which she hardly dreamed.
Robert Ellison was proud man. He
had nothing to offer but his great love
which would be but poor compensa-
tion for the life of luxury to which
Gladys Bronson had been accustomed
from her earliest childhood. His
duty was plain and clear. Until he
could attain position in the world he
had no right to ask any woman to
share the discomforts of his life.
1t was the latter part of October
and the family at the "Towers" were
going to town in q few days. John
Bronson was sufficiently recovered for
Robert Ellison to make his last pro-
fessional visit. 1t was glorious au-
tumn morning, and as he drove to the
''Towers" to make his final call his
heart was sad. The foliage was gay
with its October coloring of vivid red
and gold, and there was a crispiness in
the air which started the blood to ac-
tive movement-such day as fills the
soul with a great thankfulness to the
| Creator for its being.
"Oh, my love, my queen!" were the
words repeating themselves again and
again to him. She came quietly for
| ward as he entered the house, recalling
| the night of his first visit, for it al
most seemed that she had been watch
| ing for him. As he followed her across
the hall to the cosy room she called
her ''den," his heart beat wildly. The
moment had come in which he must
say d-by-perhaps forever. He
stood silently before her, impressing
upon his memory every detail OF her
perfect face. How lovely she was !
How dainty and thoroughbred She
wore a morning robe of rich old rose
shade with soft lace at the throat, which
| showed to full advantage her dark
beauty. She stood silent, while he
| endeavored to control himself suth-
ciently to utter the farewell words he
was there to say. There was soft,
dreamy look in her eyes and her face
wore an expression he had never seen
upon it before. Could it be possible
that she cared for him, he asked him.
self, but the next moment he lnwardly
laughed at his own presumption.
81 am here to say good-by, Miss
Bronson, - he said in voice he tried
to render cheerful, but was painfully
strained "My patient is quite HIM
self again and can safely trust him
to your watchful care"
"You are going away from B?
Do You mean that you intend to leave
the village?" she inquired nervousiy'
while her face grew shade paler.
.Yes, have SO decided. l fear
am a rowing sort of fellow" he con-
tinued, with an uneasy laugh, but see
ing her sudden panied expression ne
GREW serious at once. "Until very
lately" he went on, 81 have had but
little incentive in life, but all has
changed. l am determined to make a
name which will be no dishonor' 1or
the woman I love to share.
The color rose in her face. "You
contemplate marriage then' she said
in chilly voice, which she tried to
make common place. "We are 10
congratulate you, suppose.
"Gladys" he answered passlonateiy'
moving nearer to her-"don't you un-
derstand that / am going because L
love you? that, in the short time
have known you, you have taken pos
session Of my life? have nothing 10
III