The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-09-20
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.
TFrom the Globe-Democratl

FROM the OiOOe-D6mOcratl
Il am so sorry this has happened
she said, with forced calmness. Il like
you much and thought we We're always
to be friends, but you can see that it is
impossible for me to marry. 1t is my
duty to take care of papa and my bro
theirs and try to take the place of my
poor mother
Il felt from the first said Harry.
sorrowfully, that it was hopeless to
think of you. You are too good for
me"
Don't say that, please, for I like
you much more than any one I know. If
1 ever did lo-marry. it would be just
such man as you-good, clever, and
generous. But you see that it is i'm
possible. don't you?''
He looked into her appealing eyes.
but could not answer. Nothing is SO
sublimely tragic as the beautiful girl
sacrificing herself to a mistaken sense
of duty, and she appeared so sublime
to him that he couldn't help thinking
her in the right.
In affairs of the heart man, espec-
tally a young man, needs a disinterest-
ed woman to guide, to encourage, or to
check, as the case may require. Now,
Harry Watson was so fortunate as to
have a charming widow as his conf
dante and friend. She was several years
his senior, and he was once much In
love with her-or thought he was She
had pooh-hOOed his proposal and told
him that, although she thought him a
fine, clever young fellow, she had no
desire TO take a boy TO raise, ana thaE
he mustn't talk nonsense. OF course,
he was tragic and went out west to
hunt for grizzlies, hoping to be masti-
Gated by one, but he presently came TO
his senses and returned to the city. He
was naturally rather shame-faced when
he met the widow. but she was so jolly
that he soon forgot his previous alb
surdity and they became fast friends.
you poor boyi'i said the widow in
humorous sympathy. What would be-
come of you if it were not for me? But
if you obey my orders [ will guarantee
that you will win her"
After talking the matter over Harry
felt comfortcd, and lie felt that the
clever widow was gong to do all in her
power to help him. But he did not
imagine that while they were discuss
ing the subject, the peerless, self-sac-
rifcing Esther was weeping bitterly
and almost rebelling against her fate
It was only by magnifyiEg her duty to
an appalling grinness that she finally
recovered her compOsure ard sootned
the pain at her heart to an aching
numbness.
AS soon as the widow felt that Harry
had recovered from the first bitterness
of his disappointment, she ordered
him to. so and call on Esther. He
obeyed, and a few such calls restored
to some extent their old relationship
and they could talk more like brother
and sister. And one evening she talked
to him in most sisterly fashion.
warning him Wistfully to beware of the
you know I look upon you as
brother and would not like to see one
of my brothers as much in her COM
pany as you are. OF course she is
nice but people say she is so design
ing.
1.-THE little mink" said the widow
when she heard of it. Z know I am
designing, out she will find that it is
for her happiness am doing it now
and incidentally for my own-or just
the reverse.
She, of course, diagnosed the case as
one of jealousy. and was pleased. Har-
~ didn't understand the last part of
her remark, but he did not question.
Are you going to the Madison must
caIe?'' the wodow asked.
Yes. Esther and her father will be
there Harry replied
We'll, I shall be there, too, and I
may want you to do me a favor. VIII
you do it2"
Certainly"