The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-12-14

II am very glad you have come out here,
so that we may fully talk over the whole
matter. Give me your hand, Sally
how cold it ist-Why do you turn away
from me? Why have you kept aloof
from me during these miserable days?"
Tom. you know the reason
Yes, my poor little love, l do know.
Come, we will walk up and down here
where no one can see us. Sally, 1 did not
want your father to say what he did TO
you, but l don't think he was quite re-
sponsible. that morning, and the knowl-
edge weighed on him. I'd have given
half of all l possess to save you from
the trouble l knew his words would
bring
Il promised him." said Sally in a low,
listlesS voice. HE told me all about it,
and made my promise. l said I'd give
Newman up. It's not such q trial as
you think, Tom" she continued. look
ing steadily at him, while tears brim-
med into her eyes. THE heart has gone
out of me, somehow, and l never could
go in for Wranglership, or any of the
| nice things / used to talk about when
felt fresh and springy and young. The
dreadful thing about me, however, is
this, Tom, that | can't thank you-you,
who have been noble-yes, noble; but
l can't thank YOU
1T wasn't noble for me to do things
for you. I'd give my life gladly for
you. SO you can understand that a little
money means nothing
Father told me-" continued Sally
what you had done. He said he had
spent the e., 600 which he had in trust
for Anne and me, and that you had
given it back to him on condition that
he let me go to Newman. He said
that he could not die with the load of
all this obligation on his mind. He
said he must tell me, that / at least
must share the secret with him. He
said-he said"-continued Sally, now
bursting into Misunderstanding sobs.
that my duty was TO marry you, and
not to be learned lady"
"Oh, poor little Sally!' said Ross.
gulping down a catch in his throat
What if l don't agree with him? What
if ] want you to be learned and wise,
and great? You can't turn against my
wishes; you can't be my wife if L say
no.
Sally began to dry her eyes with
fierce rapldity.
Tom she said, ''the first thing for
you to do is to take back that f2000. I
know Anne will not touch it, and of
course I will not"
81 am afraid you are both powerless
in the matter, Sally. Half the money
is yours when you come of age, which
will be in day or two. Anne will not
receive hers for over a year. You can
not give it back to me, my dear" con-
tinued the young man, bending towards
her, without casting dishonor ON your
dead father You must keep the money,
and you must also keep the secret in
order to shield his memory You have
no other alternative Sally. l am
| sorry for you, but / cannot help you in
this
Don't speak to me for a minute or
two said Sally. GO away for a few
minutes; let me be alone"
Ross obeyed her at once. She stood
and watched his retreating figure. How
manly he looked-how upright! He
did not want to marry her-he said so
And yet she must keep that hateful
hateful money. AS to Newnhami the
thought of it was torture in her present
mood
TON, Tom," she called, in shrill
wild tone.
He turned at once. She ran to meet
him.
Take met" she said, quick, quick,
I before I change my mind. I'll have you
| instead of Newman. | have always
| loved you: yes / have always loved
| you: but l was blind and willful, and 1
would not look into my own heart. did
! not know half what was in you, and it
| seemed so QdlDIlLS 70 pe ISol ASd; ehhci
to use ones brains. But l don't care for
anything in the world now, except-ex-
| cept you. Ton-and you must have me;
| you mustn't say no."
rs that true, my little darling? Is 1T
true that you love me?'
'Of course it's true; it's the very
| truest thing on earth
| well, then, look here; We'll make a
bargain. I'd hate to have doll for a
wife I adore clever women with heaps
of brains Suppose you go to Newman
in October for my sake; and suppose
you pass your examinations for me;
and then, afterward Sally Oh,
what is the matter?"
Ross stopped abruptly, for Sally's
arms were flung tightly around his
neck, her head rested on his shoulder,
| and he felt her warm tears.
II am the happiest girl in the world, "
she whispered; but it isn't now because
! I have won this'-she threw her I'M
opened letter on the grass-''but be-
cause of you; because you love me, and
love you with my whole heart. -
! Chambers Journal