The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1896-07-10
BY CLARA u

CHAPTER XvL-CCoNrINUEp.,

CHAPTER XvL-(CoNTINUED.1
She stopped suddenly, and, rising,
was about to leave the room. He took
her hand, and closed the door h had
opened, leading her to a seat.
my dear Miss Lee, ! do not compre-
bend you. Explain. If ! have ever
injured you in any way, 1t has been
the very thing farthest removed from
my intentions. Will you not give me a
chance to defend myself"
She blushed painfully; her embar-
rassment disturbed him, for he was
generous to all, and he really felt very
kindly toward her.
81 cannot explain" she said in a SUBJ
dued voice. 81 am sorry you came just
now. But these ISLANDERS anger me, as
well as wound my feelings"
What ISLANDERS, Miss Lee?"
Her color grew deeper. Animated by
some sudden resolve, she lifted her head
proudly.
81 will tell you. Remember that You
sought the information. Your coming
here has been made the subject OF re-
mark. and I have been accused OF hav-
ing schemed to draw you here. o
know if it be true"
His face flushed slowly. He recalled
the silly stories that had some time be-
fore reached his ears. And because OF
them she had suffered. This woman
whose unremitting care had saved his
life! How t%houghtless and cruel he had
been, He was a man of honor; II any
woman's reputation had been injured
through his means, there was but n
course for him to pursue. He must
made reparation. And how For a
moment his head whirled, but gianc-
ing at the pale, distressed face before
him, he made his decision.
"Alexandrine," he said quietly, you
know just what my course mas peeh-
You know my lowly origin-you kno"
how life has cheated me of happiness.
You know how dear Margie Harrison
was to me. and how 1 lost her. 1 loved
her with my whole soul-she Will be
the one love of my lifetime. l snail
never love another woman as loved
her. But If my name and the gosltlon
I can give my wife, will be pleasant
to you, then / ask you to accept them,
as some slight recompense for wnat l
have made you suffer. If you can be
satisfied with the sincere respect anu
friendship I feel for you, then oner
myself to you. You deserve my heart'
but I have none to give to any one.
--- l--,4l - or damn thai 1t VIII
never know a resurrection"
She s%huddered and grew pale. 10
one of her passionate nature-lovlns
him as she did-it was but a sorry
wooing. His love she could never have.
But if she married him, she should be
always near him; sometimes he would
hold her hands in his, and call her,
as he did now, Alexandrine. Her ap-
parent struggle with herself panied
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 l have
been? Tell me truly, Alexandrine!'
She did tell him truly; something
within urged her to let him see her
heart as it was. For a moment she
put aside all her pride.
81 do love you," she said, God only
knows how dearly!'
He looked at her with gentle, pity
ing eyes, but he did not touch the REQ
Inns SO near his own. He could not be
a %hypocrite.
81 will be good to you, A~lexandrine'
God helping me, you shall never nav
cause for complaint. 1 will make your
life as happy as 1 IAN. 1 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, 1 am not afraid! I will risk
everythingr' she answered.