Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-01-31

them; but pain! oh, it's Impossible
ridiculous.
That was the cynical way in which
Frank Naughn's reasoning worked
Not another thought of Edith. He had
got out of a very difficult and delicate
affair somewhat easily SO far, SO
good. No one was aware that there
had been anything between them. So
much the better. Edith was not the
one to proclaim eir-fiirtatiOn-from
the housetops. And now? Well, now
for Mary, Of course.
Things seemed to go very smoothly
and pleasantly for Mary. Frank found
her even more susceptible than he had
imagined. All, not much difficulty here.
How pleased she was with his atten-
tions! How she fingered over the
pleasant artful phrases he whispered
to her day by day. How IMPRESSIONS
BILE she was She would be ripe for a
proposal in no time.
And Edith. Poor girl, as the weeks
went by, she noted the effect this man
was producing in his cousin. If love
was not already full grown in Mary,
it was in embryo. What should she
do? She could not, knowing as she
did. the motive power at work behind
the man, stand idly by and allow an
other woman's heart to be deceived
Mary and she had always been great
friends, though she was but the gov
erness. She must save her. 1t was
her duty. Nevertheless, when Edith
came to speak to Mary on such deli
cate matter, she felt her task Il difficult
one; but she persisted in it. Nor did
she cOnfine herself to a vague warning;
that might have been misconstrued.
| Edith boldly related all that had
| passed between herself and Frank,
and detailed that final, cruel conyersa-
ton word for word; and Mary listened
with pity She put her arms around
Ediths neck and kissed her in graft
tude and sympathy.
Mary was not one to say much. But
| she thought a great deal. She knew
| that ere long her cousin Frank would
again be SuitOr at the court OF
love-that his petition would be pre-
scented to her, in fact. And two days
afterwards the action was set down for
hearing They were alone in the
grounds Seated in almost the same
spot as Edith and he had stood in when
his chill words had frozen her heart,
| Frank took Mary'S hand in his. She
trembled slightly, but he, bending over
her, told her of his love. and asked her
to become his wife. He was surprised,
startled. at her answer.
Love-" she exclaimed, with n light
laugh. What is love? A nOnsensical
caprice. Born tO-day-dead to-mor-
row."
But not such love as mine, Mary"
said he. do you not love me?'
Love you, Well, perhaps did once,
but-well, one can't live on sentiment,
YOU know. 1t is foolish of you to love
me. and | have been foolish to en-
courage it, Besides, you know, Frank,
you-you are only briefiess barrister,
penniless, and in debt, whilst l am an
heiress, and society expects great
things from me-"
Surely had a recollection OF some
such words as these! Where had he
heard them? Where? Great heavens!
These were the very words he had ut
tered to Edith. Then Mary must know
all. But his position was desperate.
She must marry him. Her money
must marry him. Her money must be
his.
But, Mary" he continued, "say that
YOU love me. Say that you will be my
wife Once married to you, my dar-
ling. nv life shall be-
Married - she exclaimed. "Oh,
Frank, you must see how absurd the
thought of marriage between us is.
Now, do look at things sensibly, and
please. don't let us have any fuss. No,
no, Frank, what ever you do, don't be
hysterical. You will forgive me dis
missing your suit, won't you! or
course, you will always have friend
in me. l shall always be glad to adj
wise"
But the summing up and verdict OF
! this stern little judge were too much
for Frank Vaughan. He could not stay
until the court was dismissed i'll more
orthodox fashion. He was beside him.
| self almost. His case was hopeless.
! His cousin was not one to state Il case
! for appeal. Her verdict was final.
A week later Edith Malvern over
| took Frank in the grounds. He seemed
moody and mOrOSe, and turned way
his head as she approached. 1nwardly
he breathed maledictiOns against her
1t was she who had brought this upon
him. She had been the vital witness
whose evidence had resulted in his be-
ing nOn-suited. He hated her, and
would not trust himself to speak to
| her. Snc WAS ull"OlCL VI ttllS "oIbo
from him. But Edith approached and
laid her hand upon his arm. He
turned severe frown upon her
Mr. Vaughan" she said, II would
like to speak to you. Can--can you
give me Il mOment!'
No"
But. do you not remember, you once
said that you would always be pleased
TOTO advise me? See, l have had a
letter from some lawyer in Australia,
and it appears am not without friends
My uncle. whom l have never seen
since l was child, has recently died
in Melbourne, and II am his heiress,
and"
"Eh, what's that?" He turned sharp,
ly enough now.
at appears that he has left me a
fortune of 100000, and L want you to
advise me what to do"
ITO do? Why, Edith, my darling,
my advice is to get married at once, -
and he smiled such unutterable things.
and held out his arms to take her to
his breast. But she avoided him.
"Oh," said she, II am so glad to hear
you say So Your advice is so near my
own idea, Frank.
''Of course, pet, you knew L was only
in fun when l said those cruel things,