Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-08-04

able. / ask the most serious QueStioA
1 ever asked any woman before, and
you answer by questions about Arthur
Winston"
81 beg your pardon, Mr. Van Al
stvne,n l returned, humbly, for if
lost his interest altogether, l
trembled to think of the prompt pay
ing pupils whom he might influence
to leave me. For even then l COM
pretended the extreme selfishness of
the mans nature.
His face cleared.
''You Will give me your answer
soon?" he asked eagerly. Here we
are at your door. Let me come to-
night, Louise?"
shuddered. Upon that one point
had always been as adamant. l had
never permitted Mr.. Van Alstyne to
call upon me. never would, unless
- felt a cold chill of aversion run
over me.
''Oh, no; not tonight" cried. Ell
sic is not we'll; and besides, l never
receive gentlemen callers, Mr.. Van
Alstyne."
Then, when am to look for your
answer" he persisted.
Il have answered you, sir. do not
love you, and, of course"
'Stop Reflect little. will leave
YOU alone for week-a whole week.
During that time l shall expect you
to make up your mind, To-day is
Thursday-next Thursday you will
give me your answer"
Very we'll" l returned, but feel
ing quite well what that answer
would be.
Seven days. Seven whole days of
respite and relief from his presence.
went into our shabby sItting-room
feeling almost glad. | came to halt
in helpless horror. Elsie lay upon
the worn sofa very ill-that was evil
dent at a glance. Ii was diphtheria-
that dread scourge. The landlady
gave me immediate notice to have my
sister removed to a hospital where
such diseases We're treated. l could
only obey her, and the transfer was
made at once. By Offering my SER
vice free, 1 was received at the insti-
tuition to nurse my sister and assist
about the building. Ny pupils, of
course, were lost to me forever, and
took up my place at Elsie's sick bed,
thoroughly crushed in mind and body.
Days passed in this dreary retreat.
The seventh day of my reprieve had
come and gone, but Mr.. Van Alstyne
did not trouble me with his presence.
He did not call to inquire after Elsie,
i or to ask me to become his wife. But
Arthur Winston was one OF the visit
ing students at the hospital, and
soon learned to find in him help anC
a comfort. He remained at the hos
pital altogether, and gave al
his time and attention to diph
liberia cases, and especially Elsie!
case. Under his care and skill sh,
began to improve; AMI strange Il
say, did not take the disease.
Elsie looked upon Doctor Winston
as he was caIled-with reverence, foi
she knew his skill had saved her life
And II had long ago began to lool
upon him with something more thar
reverence; for all the love Of my hear
was poured forth at his shrine.
knew that he loved me, but we were
both very poor, and marriage seemed
folly for US to contemplate.
One day, while going to the neares
drug store on an errand for Elsie,
met Mr.. Van AIstyne face to face. III
rccoiled-then held out his hand.
she is better?' he asked i coul,
not risk my own life by coming t
you, Louise, but now that your sistc
is better
"Do not trouble yourself to come a
all, interposed haughtily. You
conduct has proven your selfish base
ness. And, besides, detast you, an
would not marry you were you tn
last man in the world"
He fell back with mutterei impre
cation. But | waited for nothin
more, and fastened back to the hosp
tai.
/ met Arthur Winston in the hal
outside the ward where Elsie las
Something in my face made him start
then he took my hand and led me int
private room.
Here, dear, sit down and re,
yourself" ne said, in that swce
gentle way which always wiz
with a woman. Something ha
occurred to annoy you. Tell me, wi
) your
And did / began at the begir
ming, and told Arthur my whole story
His face was very pale when ha
, finished.
Z My love Of loves" he cried. "Oi
= Louise, have loved you so long an
dearly have loved you ever sine
| the time-how long ago it seems
when we used to meet on the stree
, That Van Alstyne is a wicked maj
There is some Interior reason, son
G hidden object in his asking you
: marry him am convinced Of it,"
a golden hour followed, and whe
: we parted had promised to |
Arthur's wife-poverty and all-in
: days time. Elsie was nearly well
t all danger over; no reason for della
0 And besides, | was afraid of Mr.. Va
Alstyne-secretly afraid.
: But after all, he could not harm m
c became Arthur Winston's wife, ar
7 than soon flor dieroyatad Tho gao,,