The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-11-28
f5E 4
4AfA Avgab0YE.h
BY CI ARA AUGUSTA
INTERNATIONAL PRES ASSOCIATION
CHAPTER xvL-CcoxrrSUEDD


She stopped suddenly, and, rising
was about to leave the room. He tool
aer hand. and closed the door she haC
spened. leading her to a seat.
My dear Miss Lee. do not compre
bend you. Explain. II | have ever
inJured you in any way. it has been
che very thing farthest removed from
my intentions. viii you not give me
chance to defend myself?"
She blushed painfully; her embar-
easement disturbed him, for he was
generous to all. and he really felt very
kindly toward her
81 cannot explain" she said in sub
duei voice. IL am sorry you came Just
oow. But these ISLANDERS anger me, as
veil as wound my feelings.
what ISLANDERS, Miss Lee?"
Her color grew deeper. Animated by
some sudden resolve, she lifted her head
proudly.
IL will tell you. Remember that you
sought the information. Your coming
here has been made the subject OF re-
mark. and have been accused OF hav-
ing schemed to draw you here you
know IL II he true.
His face flushed slowly. He recalled
the silly stories that had some time be-
core reached his ears. And because or
them she had suffered. This woman
whose unremitting care had saved his
dfe! How thoughtless and cruel he had
seer He was man OF honor; II any
Won, ms reputation had been injured
hro q his means. there was but one
,ou, for him to pursue. He must
made reparation. And how? For
moment his head whirled, but glanc-
ing at the pale. distressed face before
hin. 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 Margle Harrison
was TO me. and how lost her. loved
her with my whole soul-she VIII De
the one love of my lifetime. | shall
never love another woman as | loved
her. Bit Il my name and the position
I can give my wife will be pleasant
to yoa. then ] ask You to accept them,
As some slight recompense for what l
have made you suffer. II you can be
satisfied with the sincere respect and
friendship I feel for YOU then | offer
myself to you You deserve my heart,
but have none 10 give 10 any ono.
have buried il so deep that II VIII
cever know a resurrection.
She shuddered and grew pale. TO
one OF her passionate naturc-loylnS
him as she di1-it was but a sorry
woo!ng. His love she could never have.
But u she married him. she should be
always near him. sometimes he would
bold her hands in his, and call her,
as he did now, Aleyaudrine. Her ap-
parent struggle with herself PANIED
bin. Perhaps he guessed something
Of its cause. lie pm, his arm around
ner waist.
MY child" he said, kindly, do you
love me? DO you indeed care Tor
mel Cold and Indifferent as l have
been? Tell me truly. AleXandrine?
She did tell him truly, something
within urged her to let him see her
heart a. il was. For a moment she
pu. aside all her pride.
Il do love YOU" she said, God only
knows how dearly.
RE looked at her With gentle, pity
lag eyes. but he did not touch the red
lips SO near MS own. He could not be
q hypocrlte
Il will be good 10 you. Alexandrine.
God helping me. YOU shall never have
cause for complaint. | will make your
lite rs happy as | can. | Will give
you all that my lifes shipwreck spared
me. WIN that content you? Will you
be my wife,"
Still she did not reply.
Are you afraid to risk it," he asked.
almost sadly.
no / am not afraid | will risk
everything" she answered.