Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-12-09
I began it twenty-six years ago-from

I began 1t tw-nty-six years ago-from
the gutter"
There is no need she sobbed. do
not leave me comfortless! l have
wealth. build up your fortune with
it,
Never" he cried 'sYou will never
be any more to me than you are now,
unless the day ever comes when have
re-established name and position,
and when the fruit Of my labor can
crafty all your wants. You can never
be any less to me, come what may. But
think of it, Lilian!/ Even when man
begins life with all the enthusiasm and
pliability of youth, it takes him years
before the success of his efforts justi-
fies him in undertaking the respon-
sibility of others welfare. I am past
early youth-my case is well-nigh
hopeless"
She raised her hand and looked at
him.
$50 you will not marry me?" she
said, with the dreadful calmness Of
despair.
some dear dead face before it is shut
forever from his sight. NO. he said,
II will not marry you.'
She held out her hand. "Goodby,"
she said YEARLY.
Lillian" he said, as he took it in
his, Il am only man-only weak,
selfish, sinful man. May God forgive
INC foy hot Oh tn w 7
as if there would be blood on my ssul
if 1 ever knew another man had wln
you for his wife. I want you to dedi
cate your life to me, even though |
may never come to claim you for my
own"
"The dedication of my life to you is
inevitable" she said.
Lillian, twenty-six years ago the
kiss of a good and beautiful woman
led to the Transforming of ragged,
starving urchin into wealthy, dis
tinguished man. That man, through
no fault of his own, finds himself. af-
ter years of success, back in the gutter
again. Will you make him see his
future hopefully rough his remem-
brance of the past?"
She put her arms round him and
kissed him.
He held her to him for one brief
moment, put her hurriedly from him,
and left her without one backward
glance.
In her London house one May even
ing, some six years later, Mrs. Fernlie
was holding one of her much: sought
after receptions. Lillian, more beauti-
full and more popular than ever, sat
her own. But although she dispensed
her favors with her usual grace and
tact, her thoughts were far away from
her surroundings. Her mind would
run on that May day afternoon-it
seemed so long ago-when she and
Joseph Brown had parted. They had
not met since, but he had written to
| her often. She knew that he had gone
to London Immediately after leaving
her, and with great difficulty had OBJ
| tanned employment. In a years time
he had saved enough to go out to Aus
| tralia He had managed to associate
! himself with mercantile house out
there, where his old Paris experiences
had proved of the greatest service to
him. He was doing well-wonderfully
we'll His leisure hours were devoted
! to journalism; he had written a book
| that had won him praise. Up to seven
weeks ago, she had heard from him
regularly. Since then she had had no
| news, and she was racked with anxi-
ETY..
A little stir by the door attracted
her attention. Her mother was warm
ly greeting a tardy guest. Lilian's
heart bounded as her eyes fell on him.
He came to her instantly. Their
hands met, but neither spoke. He drew
her away from the crowd into quiet
corner.
81 wanted to surprise you, my dar-
| ling" he said. "I have come for you.
Are you ready?"
She looked up at him with happy
smile.
| -. "a