The record-union., 1898-10-16

somehow, 1t didn't
In the second place, he said, he need
ed mother for his motherless child.
he was convinced after much thought
that she more than any other woman
would be the one that Annie would
nave chosen. Then followed a brief re-
sumo OF Annie's feelings toward her
ana an expression of his reliance upon
Annie Judgment in the matter. He
also spoke tOuchingly of his desolate
home.
AS TO MS personal feelings, he told
her ne thought it only just to her and
70 hlmself to say that he respected and
admired her beyond any woman of his
acquaintance. Further than that he
could not go. The romance of his life
was oVer-his heart was buried with
Annle-he could never offer any other
woman love. But if she would come to
MS nome knowing this
He was looking away from her, and
thinking as he spoke of that other
Woolng years ago-when he had won
Annie.
Well?' she said in a quiet tone.
He looked up at her and finished
precipitately. He began to feel ner-
vous.
He felt that he was-Quite through.
| She was looking steadily at him, two
| bright spots on her cheeks, and her
lips Strengthened to a line.
| Let me sum up this matter she
said slowly, 'since it is somewhat of a
business proposition. First, you need
helper in the parish; she was count
ing on her fngers-"second, you need
4 tO a
third, you need a housekeeper. You
ask me to marry you that 1 may fill
these three needs. l believe l am cor
rect?"
He opened his lips IN indignant pro-
test, but She swept on.
"Oh, of course you haven't put it
quite 50 bluntly as that, but it means
the same thing. Then, lest I should
start in with false hopes of ever win
ming your love, you tell me that your
heart is dead and that the romance Of
your life is over Really! Isn't this
a remarkable way to WOO a woman?
| What about the romance of my life?
Am 1 not to be considered at all?'
there was a little catch in her voice
then. She was recalling the tender
thoughts and dreams of last night rs
his romance to seek to ally himself to
one who is still to have hers? Do you
think a woman would be satisfied to
receive her husbands caresses and
know that he was thinking Of another?
What do you think women's hearts are
like, anyway" And she faced him
with red cheeks and blazing eyes.
Mr.. Lay felt almost stunned.
do, I1a Wi h
dignity. Il have not meant to offend
you. have paid you the highest COM
pliment a man can pay "a"
Compliment" she said. you have
paid me no compliment You have
asked me to go into loveless home
and be your housekeeper. 1t is bus
mess proposition, and I decline it
that's ALL But if you had come to
me with love-if you had wanted Inc,
instead Of my services" Her voice
trembled in spite of her, but she stead
led it and went on. "Oh, think there
is nothing one could not do for love.
If you had gone thus, I say, to any
true woman who could have loved you
in return, she might have taken you,
and your motherless child-and your
parish-and your work-all-all, into
her heart, and brooded them, and made
your home again what it once was;
but-not without your real love!'
The Rev. Melancthon Lay did not lack
imagination. AS Helen spoke, with
impassioned voice and flushing cheek,
he could see in detail the picture drawn
with these few bold strokes; a we'll
ordered home-a loving wife-congen-
ial companionship-sy help
in his chosen work-tender mother-love
for Myrtle; all these were in the pic
ture which she held up before him.
And he himself had blotted it out
forever!
Well. He felt crushed and hopeless.
He reached for his hat, and rose.
1T is my misfortune" he said with
proud humility, that l have failed to
make myself understood. 1 must have
said what 1 did very blunderingly. /
meant only to be honest. l beg you
will forgive-and forget-that 1 have
spoken at ALL
And this was his last word to her.
Helen Risdon went straight to her
room and locked the door. She had
been sustained by her great anger. But
the gentle dignity Of his parting words
had taken away even this prop and
left her limp and nerveless.
On the bed lay her blue serge and
child's pattern and some white braid.
She had been planning a dress for Myr-
tie Lay! AS minister's wife she
would need to economize, she had
thought. She gathered it up now and
thrust it out Of sight with hysterical
laugh that was like a sob.
"And-I meant to be such a good
mother to her!" she said. Then she
threw herself across the bed and bur
led her hot cheeks down in the pillow.
When she came downstairs, two hours
later, her sister-in-law asked curious
ly:
What did he come for?"
"A housekeeper," said Helen briefly.
We'll! he didn't get her?"
mo; he didn't get her here"
Indeed, I should think notl" said
Mrs. Risdon with decision, when Helen
had told what he had said to her "The
idea!'
Then she bent over her work and half
smiled
When Mr.. Lay closed the door of the
Risdon mansion and walked down the
street. it was with a stinging sense or
humiliation. He had made an honor
able offer of himself in marriage and
been scornfully rejected-rejected as If
he had done an ignominious thing. He
felt helpless indignation rising with
in him at the way he had been misun-
derstood by her
And yet-he had told her definitely
that he could not offer her love. She
had not misunderstood that. And it
was true. He repeated it several
times He irnIxr could ln1rp