Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1896-04-29

have failed to notice theSuaden faltering
of his expression from its previous joy
full expectation. she hesitated. and then,
with u faint blush held out her arms
saying: After all. perhaps you had bet
ter take me.
The judge could not speak; the revul-
sion was too sudden. She had never be-
fore done anything which seemed so sig
nifcant, and as he received her on his
sturdy shoulder he experienced happi-
ness more poignant than he had ever
known. The action lasted but for an in
slant, but the effect was by no means SO
transient: on the contrary, it kept glow
ing and increasing in his soul, and quite
illuminated his whole aspect, Pauline,
too, was in an unusual mood; she seemed
softer and more accessible than was
usual with her. The tears which she
had lately shed had brought all the
woman in her to the surface. There
were tones in her voice that thrilled to
the judges heart like exquisite music.
The memory of her brother had done
her lover good service.
A spot was selected under the shade
of cedar. with clean white sand under
meath. Here Mrs Nolan was established
with her cushions, and the cloth was
spread for lunch The basket was I'M
packed, the plates and knives and forks
arranged, and the good things set out.
They had brought jug of water. but it
had become so warm as to be unpalat-
able: 60 the judge proposed that they
should go and find a spring; there was
sure to be one not far off. Pauline
assented and they started, leaving Mrs.
Nolan beneath the cedar.
i did not know whether to be glad or
sorry that was the means of bringing
that strange message to you. said the
judge, when they were out of earshot.
''And yet could not help thinking that
there must have been some providential
design in the matter 1t was as if Percy
had appointed me his messenger to you.
''Oh. | am glad am only glad!" re-
joined Pauline nlusingly, with her eyes
downcast. 1T puts my doubts at rest.
All this time could not realize that he
was gone. knew it, of course; but it
had not been brought home to me. Now
can feel that all is well with him.
am glad it came"
1T seems pity that SO much of the
message should be illegible,' remarked
the Judge. 1T would have been well to
know for certainty that it came from
Percy's own hand.
Perhaps it will become more legible
when the wood is dried But should
not care if it turned out to have been
written by some one else. 1t is from
Percy's ship-the Amazon-and in that
case it is from him."
II am little surprised" said the
judge, after pause, that Mr.. Martin
has not written us some of the details of
the affair. He can hardly have failed to
understand that any information, how
ever slight, would have been precious to
you. You have not heard from him,
have your
No, and think you are right. He
should have written. But | can imagine
why he has not. 1t was his suggestion
that Percy should leave New York. He
urged him to go with him: he took that
responsibility. The least he could do was
to guard him from harm. When that
storm came he should not have let him
go out of his sight. But instead, heFlet
him be drowned, can understand why
he has not written to me-he would not
darer'
She said this with passionate en-
phasis. The judge YVES secretly con-
scious of a feeling of relief. but his sense
of rectitude compelled him to say: 1T
would not be just, think, TO charge Mr..
Martin with being accountable for Per-
cy's death.
Perhaps it is not logically just; but
that is the way feel, was her reply.
By this time they had reached the
spring, which trickled out of asand blVff
few feet above high water mark, an,l
filed a barrel that had been sunk in the
sand below. The judge knelt down and
plunged the jug into the cool water,
which gurgled into it with a refreshing
sound. Pauline stood, with her hands
hanging folded, looking down on him.
The blue sea, the sunshine, the warmth
were inexpressibly soothing.
How pleasant it is here" she said.
The judge rose, with the jug in his
hand. A moment before he had not
meant to speak SO soon; but now the
words seemed to break from him invoI-
unfairly.
Pauline, will you be my wife?" he said
She took step backward, and their
eyes met. She was Startled, and the ex-
preston of her face at first seemed to
indicate refusal But after few mo-
ments the softer look returned to it,
mingled with sadness.
''N ald that be besty she asked
Infinitely best for me- But it is you
who must decide. / have loved you ever
since you were little girl.
Does my mother know Of tllis?"
Eyes, since last year; and she has bid
den me Godspeed. But do not wish
you to be influenced by that Decide
for yourself alone. / am twice your
years, and more; but in my love for you
I am young, and shall always be-"
She stood silent for while. She was
evidently touched by his words, and by
the manly generosity of his appeal; but