The advocate., 1895-05-29

dear"
Taking advantage of his melting mood, Gertrude
remarked, with pretty, coaxing pout
"I think you might let me have my way in some
thing pertaining to this marriage, inssmuch as am
to take prominent part in it. Will you grant me
one little Concession?
Stilwel, further Modified by this recognition Of
his absolute power to grant or refuse what he chose
actually smiled but fortunately Gertrude had seen
him smile before, and so the devilsh contOrton did
not frighten her. He replied in evident good hu
NOR:
eff it is reasonable, Gertrude, am willing to
make concession. What is it you wishr'
"Why, you know Uncle Reuben and were great
friends while he was here and 1 wish to wait until
ne returns. He would never forgive you you should
marry off his pet niece in his absence"
The one human spot in the old mans heart was
his genuine love for his brother who had now been
several years abroad. He was the very antipodes of
Isaac Stilwe in character, though rich as he. Reu
ben was generous, Whole-souled and altogether an
admirable man; but the hard, grasping man of cash
really loved this bachelor brother with an affection
strong enough to have made him even sacrifice his
wealth, had Reuben required it. Gertrude knew
this and appealed to this vulnerable spot in the
old mans hard nature. She had reasoned correctly.
He softened and became actually human In an in.
slant.
"That is true, Gertrude. 1 should have thought
of Reuben. Irecall now that, before he went away,
he made me promise that very thing I remember
he said: Tsssc don't let Gerty, here, he always
called you 'Gerty'-'dOn't let Gerty, here marry
some fool coxcomb while am gone. want her to
be here when come back. If you don't promise
me she shsnt marry unless l am present, shall
never come back at ALL So promised him. But
1 had forgotten all about it. 1 am glad you re-
minded me of it. Let it be so. He wrote the last
time from Hsvre, you remember that he expected
to be here in May. l must tell RakestraW he must
wait"
"Then you won't make me marry and leave home
until Uncle Reuben cOmesP"
"No, we must wait for him."
"Oh, l am so glsdP' exclaimed Gertrude, and in
her joy she actually kissed the old man.
When she had left him, he sat long time musing
thinking of Reuben. His mind ran back even to
boyhood, and the more he thought the more he soft
ened until his face gloWed with the experience Of
feeling seldom manifest there and men coming
upon him suddenly would not have known him.
Reswskened love for an almost idolized brother had
given back to the old mans face the tenderness of
youth before the ideal had vanished from his life;
as death sometimes brings back to the features
long hidden expression and beauties and glori6es
face which in later life had been hard and forbid
ding Long the old man mused and softened, until
he even began to arraign himself at the bar of his
own conscience, and to reproach himself for some
of his misdeeds He even regretted that he had
bargained Gertrude away to man utterly unworthy
of her and only tolerated because he was rich. But
he aroused himself at last from this indulgence in
sentimental nonsense" and when he emerged from
the unlghted library to go to his couch, Isaac Still
well, hard and sVaricious, was himself again.
AS for Gertrude, she ran to her mother with the
news of her victory in diplomacy, and they mutu-
ally agreed that if the wedding should really be
postponed until Reuben's arrival Gertrude would
remain single good while; for they would write
him at once and fully acquant him with the Situ-
alton, and they knew what he would do oshoud their
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