The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1900-02-09

SG&nrlV passing through the girl S mllG /
as time wore on 1t was very pleasant /
to be mistress Of the great house and
to have money at command Under !
her rule GIenth0rne became a very
pleasant place indeed; and before the I
year was ended it vas whispered that
Lord Arthur Kendall was very much IN
love with her.
Elizabeth heard Ralph Crosby's
name mentioned several times later,
when she vent to London He was Oc-
cupied upon a work that was to make
a name for him, some said Others
limited that he was III; and Miss Everill
wondered that her heart should beat
so quickly at the sound Of his name.
She had resolved to accept Lord
Arthur. He was rich-much richer
than she-and quite at the top Of the
social ladder, Certainly she did not
love him; he was hardly man whom
any woman could respect. Anyhow,
she did not respect him, and yet she
would marry him. They were uncon-
genial spirits, she knew, but what of
that?
In such a mood she was going one
night to a great ball given by one Of
the most fashionable women In Lon
don. Lord Arthur would be there, and
probably she would say yes to his
pleadings that night. She rather
thought she would as she stood before
mirror when her maid had given the
finishing touches to her toilet. She
had on a white dress, and pearls we're
on her neck and amid her dusky hair;
she was radiantIy beautiful.
sSix years agor she muttered. six
years and more since the day Ralph
Crosby said"
She turned away. Now and again a
feeling came over her that she could
not understand feeling that her
wealth and her beauty were not to
bring her happiness; and she had
grown inpatient with herself for feel
ing so. Generally at such times she
was even gayer than usual, and when,
some hours later, Lord Arthur sat by
her side In a convenient recess in Lady
JaveneIl's conservatory, he felt that he
| could almost die for her. There was
something in her beauty that night-a
sadness in the dark eyes behind their
mirth-that he could not understand.
elizabeth" he whispered, "say
'Yesr" and just then the sound of
voices reached them
@And Crosby, the artist, you know, is
blind"
'BIindr'
"Quite. He consulted Reynolds yes
terday, his case Is hopeless.
-"POor beggar! What VIII he dor
aI don't know. He hasn't a penny.
He has never steadied himself to work
for years. Somebody told me Of a girl
who Tilted him, or something"
Miss Everill rose.
Lord Arthur, hope you viii never
speak to me like this again.
Lord Arthur bowed. He knew that
further pleading would be useless.
Very early on the following morning
Miss Everill's carriage stopped at
Ralph CrOsby's chambers, and Eliza
beth was informed that he was at
home. She gave no name, but entered
the room where he was.
Ralph
1t was a voice that he had not heard
for six long years, but he recognized it
at once, and turned his sightless eyes
toward her.
elizabeth" he cried, raPturOUsly,
opening his arms, and in an instant
she was folded in them
aBut you must not, Elizabeth" he
said later, 'syOu must not sacrifice all
for me-"
SIT is no sacrifice she replied, com
posedIy; shut I am dreadfully afraid
that I had to ask you to marry me- I
wonder what Mr.. NOrthbrooke viii
say when he hears Of this?n and she
laughed.
aWhat fools women areE' was what
the old lawyer said on being apprised
Of it. and he drew a large envelope
from among a number Of papers that
were in a large box before him.
1t was addressed in Miss ThOrne's
very masculine caligTaphy, to himself,
and written in one corner were the
words:
"To be opened in the event Of my
niece's marriage"
Inside was a VIII, properly signed
and witnessed, and the old lawyers
face cleared as he glanced at it. There
was also an open letter addressed TO
Miss ETerill-
'If you have sold yourself, my niece,
take the price Of your slavery. If you
have been honest enough to marry for
love, take your reward In either case
GlenthOrne Is yours"
GHeaven bless meIn the lawyer ex-
claimed, Heaven bless me! There's no
understanding a womani I'm heartily
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