Morris tribune., 1896-02-19
"Bless me, no! was only using an

"Bless me, mol was only using an
extreme illustration But Mr.. Martin
might wish to obtain something which I
had set my own heart on possessing"
There was a manifest embarrassment
in the judges manner Mrs. Nolen
looked puzzled. She began to suspect
there was something behind all this, but
she could not divine what it was
II began life pretty early, as you
know" continued he, after a pause
"Since the age of IA, believe, have
supported myself. Measuring my exist
ence by that standard. might be called
an old man. But though, in the matter
of years, am not exactly boy, yet
am but 43 years old, and you will admit
my dear, that men have been known to
live good deal longer than that
Il am sure you will live to be twice
49," put in Mrs. Nolen kindly
"Half that is all | would ask, if l
might realize the happiness that hope
for" returned the judge, with faint
smile.
"And is this happiness anything that
can help to insure your"
II can hardly say that. In fact. it is
essential in one way that it should come,
If come at all. as freely and spontane-
ously as the sunshine from heaven New
ertheless, am under obligation to speak
to you of my hopes, that you may ap-
TO V1
conduct" He stopped, and the color
mounted to his face. Il love Pauline, !"
he said, strong emotion vibrating in
his voice. II hope to make her love me
and to accept me for her husband"
"Oh, judged" exclaimed Mrs. Nolen,
taken wholly by surprise. She looked
at him intently for few moments. and
then the startled look in her face soft
ened, and she began to smile. She left
her chair, and, coming to where he sat,
put hand upon his shoulder; and as he
looked up at her she bent down and
kissed him upon the forehead She was
still smiling, but there were tears in her
eyes.
DO you think me absurd?" said the
judge.
II think you are right" was her reply.
"At first | could not believe had al
ways looked up to you. as to a sort of
elder brother-I could not imagine you
as the husband of my little daughter
my own son-in-law. But think you
are right. Pauline is little girl no
longer; in almost everything but years
she is older than l; she is fitted to be the
wife of man even so much older than
herself as you are. No one of her own
age would suit her as we'll.
"Then you will not be against me?" he
said, starting up.
Indeed, | will not All that do shall
be done for you" She put her hands in
his, and he grasped them warmly LIT
is more than half selishness in me-" she
added sit would give me some right
to rely on you. I should not feel so
lonely"
However this may turn out, always
know that you may rely on me-" the
Judge returned, with deep feeling Our
friendship began long ago, Mary and
doesn't need any other tie to bind it. If
Pauline, when the question is put before
her, decides against me-and | am fully
aware how easily that may be her YER
dict-I shall accept it like man, and
you will remember that, so far as l am
concerned, it will involve not the slight
est change in my devotion to you and
yours. shall leave no honorable means
untried to win her; but, above all things
l desire to avoid forcing her inclination
either by any act of my own. or through
you. That you should approve of my
purpose is all ask. Leave the rest to
Providence, and to her." X
81 understand" said Mrs. Nolen, land,
indeed, if wished to help you, should
not do it by singing your praises to her.
You being what you are, the best thing
to do is to leave her to find you out for
herself"
''If Mr.. Martin be my rival" resumed
the Judge, ''let him have his chance and
defeat me if he can. If he be the better
man it will appear; and God forbid that
l should make her my wife knowing that
she would have been happier, with an
other But if love so for anything,
love her well, and in all my life she is the
first and only woman have loved,
"You might have rivals more danger
Gus than Mr.. Martin, returned the
mother, with another smile, and so the
interview came to close.
TO RE CONTINUED I