Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1896-03-25

dignity of his irreproachful life-of his
honest, patient labor.
He looked on this picture and on that,
and knew each for what it was worth.
Then ensued in the peaceful breast OF
Addenbrooke terrible war of thoughts
and emotions.
Life, which had hitherto been simple
matter enough, mere case of doing
your duty and Winding your own bust
ness. had assumed complexion of cruel
difficulty.
And yet he knew that the more OBJ
vious aspect of the matter was not a
complicated one
Lydia no more belonged to him than a
| dog who had followed him home and
had been claimed by it's master
He was bound, in common honor, &c
reveal the facts of which he had acct,
dentally become possessed.
Should he go to Lydia and say: This
man, whom you prefer so infinitely tc
myself, is far less worthy of you than l.
He has not led bad life, as men go, but
he has not led good one. Men of the
world do not do such things, but then
Addenbrooke was not man of the
world
And if he had no other right over
Lydia, had he not that of his own life
long love and her three weeks tolerance
of it?
The door opened to admit Lawrence
Fleming. He had changed his coat, and
bore bundle of papers and a pipe in his
hand.
ANY tobacco" he said, taking the
empty seat at the writing table.
Addenbrooke nodded toward jar on
the mantelpiece. continuing his troubled
promenade across the room.
1t was dawning, painfully, but surely,
on his mind that his hands were indeed
tied; that it only remained for Lydia to
choose between them
"But it is who would have made her
happyi" thought poor, obstinate Johnny
"Any matches?" said Fleming, with
his fingers in the tobacco jar
Johnny made no answer. and the other
fumbled in the pocket Of his coat
"By George"
This time Addenbrocke was reused
and came over to the table. Whats
up?" he said
Fleming pointed in silence to d stamped
and addressed envelope lying at his feet
Johnny picked it up, with dull sense
Of relief that matters had been more or
less taken out of his hands. He knew,
before he looked at it, that it was adj
dressed to Miss Grey, and that it was
Jennings customary carelessness in the
matter of posting his letters which had
wrought the mischief
Lawrence was much excited. lit had
slipped behind the lining of the pocket!
have just taken the coat from my port
marteau. o. that poor grill that poor
girl! what must she have thought of me
all this timer
Addenbrooke faced him suddenly
DO you intend. he said, iii low voice.
''endeavoring to repair the mischief
1t is possible that he had low opinion
of Jennings constancy.
Il will go to her tomorrow cried
Lawrence
A sudden pang of personal anguish
an intolerable sense of bereavement, shot
through Addenbrooke.
He thought: After all, perhaps | am
nothing bLta jealous devil who begrudges
my girl her happiness
Aloud he said: There may be diff
culties at first. In fact. Miss Grey is en-
gagged to be married.
Fleming rose, with an exclamation
The two men stood facing one another
Lawrence. flushed, excited; Johnny, pale.
with tense eyes and nostrils.
Lydia engaged! Lydia! The women
are all alike Could she have no patience
no trust. but she must needs throw her
self away in "a tit of pique on some fellow
who is not worthy of her!''
''She is engaged to met cried Alden
brooke. With sudden passion And. by
Heaven, | think it is | who am too good
for her,
The passion of such men as Alden
brooke is terrible thing.
Fleming quailed before it. He gath
cred up his papers in silence and went
from the room
Mrs. Grey swept up to Addenbrooke
as he stood with his hand on the knob of
the drawing room door
''Oh, Professor Addenbrooke, am so
sorry" she cried
80 am [, he answered. CURLY.
1t was two days after the events of the
last chapter. Lydia had madeher choice,
and now. at her own request, was to take
farewell of Addenbrooke
AS she came forward with flushed
cheeks and shining eyes, to meet him, it
struck him that she resembled the picture
of Bacchante he had seen somewhere.
A Bacchante in tailor made gown.
with the neatest of cuffs and collars
poor Johnny!
II wished, she said, when their greet
ing was over. to thank you with all my
heart.
''And l." he said, wish to tell you
this. Do not think that l merely took
advantage of you. believed that
could make you happy believe it
STILL"
She smiled sadly, and Addenbrooke
broke into sort of laugh.
ooh, Johnny, Johnny!" she cried.