Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-04-30

She stopped suddenly, dho'
was about to leave the room. He tooi
her hand, and closed the door she nae
opened, leading her to a seat.
my dear Miss Lee. I do not compre'
bend you. Explain. II I have eve
injured you in any way. 1t has peer
the very thing farthest removed iron
my Intentions. Will you not give me
chance to defend myself?"
She blushed painfully; her emDar'
rassment disturbed him, for ne Waa
generous to all. and he really felt very
kindly toward her.
"I 0annot explain" she said IN SUD.
dued voice. "I am sorry you came ,us'
now, But these ISLANDERS anger me- a.
we'll as wound my feelings
"What ISLANDERS. Miss Lee?"
Her color grew deeper. Animated oy
some sudden resolve. she lifted her neao
proudly.
"I will tell you. Remember that you
sought tie information. Your coming
here has been made the subject OF re-
mark. and have been accused OF nav
ing schemed to draw you here. you
know II 1t be true"
His face flushed slowly. He recalled
the silly stories that had some time DC.
fore reached his ears. And because oi
them she had suffered. This woman
whose unremitting care had saved hia
life! How thoughtless and cruel he hao
been! He was a man OF honor; II any
woman's reputation had been injured
through his means. there was but one
course for him to pursue. He mus'
made reparation. And how? For Z
moment his head whirled. but slanc-
ing at the pale, distressed face before
him, he made his decision.
"Alexandrine." he said quietly. you
know Just what my course has been
You know my lowly origin-you know
how life has cheated me Of happiness
You know how dear Margie Harrison
was to nc. and how lost her. loved
her with my whole soul-she Will be
the one love Of my lifetime. ! shall
never love another woman as l loved
her. But II my name and the position
I can give my wife. will be pleasant
to you, then ! ask you to accept them,
as some slight recompense for what !
have made you suffer. II you can be
satisfied with the sincere respect anu
friendship I feel for you. then oner
myself to you. You deserve my heart.
but have none to give to any one.
I have buried 1t SO deep that 1t Will
never know a resurrection.
She shuddered and grew pale. To
sne Of her passionate nature-loving
him as she did-it was but a sorry
wooing. His love she could never have.
But II she married him. she should be
always near him: sometimes he would
hold her hands In his. and call her.
~ he did now. Aiexandrine. Her ap-
parent struggle with herself pained
him. Perhaps he guessed something
Of Its cause. He put his arm around
her waist.
my child" he said. kindly. "do you
love me? Do you indeed care Tor
me? Cold and Indifferent as ! have
been? Tell me truly. Alexandrine?"
She did tell him truly; something
within urged her to let him see her
heart as II was. For moment she
put aside all her pride.
"I do love you." she said. "God only
knows how dearlyf
He looked at her with gentle. pity
ing eyes. but he did not touch the red
lips SO near his own. He could not be
hypocrite.
"I will be good to you, Alexandrine.
God helping me. you shall never have
cause for complaint. will make your
life as happy as I can. I will give
you all that my life's shipwreck spared
me. VIII that content you? VIII you
be my wife?"
Still she did not reply.
Are you afraid to risk it," he asked
almost sadly.
mo am not afraid! will risk
everythingr' she answered.