The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1900-02-02

richer than she-and quite at the top
of the social ladder. Certainly she
did not love him; he was hardly a
man whom any woman could respect.
Anyhow, she did not respect him; and
yet she would marry him. They were
uncongenial spirits, she knew, but
what of that?
In such q mood she was going ont
night to great ball given by one OF
the most fashionable women in Lon
don. Lord Arthur would be there,
and probably she would say Eyes" to
his pleadings that night. She rather
thought she would Us she stood before
a mirror when her maid had given the
finishing touches to her toilet She
had on white dress, and pearls were
on her neck and amid her dusky hair;
she was radiantly beautiful.
"Six years ago!" she muttered.
'Six years and more since the day
Ralph Crosby said"
She turned away. Now and again q
feeling came over her that she could
not understand q feeling that her
wealth and her beauty were not to
bring her happiness; and she had
grown impatient 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 q convenient recess in Lady
Javenell'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
'Yes!" and just then the sound of
voices reached them.
"And Crosby, the artist, you know, is
blind"
"Blind!"
"Quite. He consulted Reynolds yes
terday, his case is hopeless"
'Poor begggar! What will he do?"
II don't know. He hasn't a penny.
He has never steadied himself to work
for years. Somebody told me of girl
who Tilted him, or something"
Miss Everill rose.
Lord Arthur, 1 hope you will 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 Everills 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!"
It was 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.
But you must not, Elizabeth" he
said later, "you must not sacrifice all
for me-"
1T is no sacrifice" she replied, COM
posedly; "but I am dreadfully afraid
that l had to ask you to marry me! l
wonder what Mr.. Northbrooke will
say when he hears of this?" and she
laughed.
''AoU AoOAo "OAACu dIcs was "QdC
the old lawyer said on being apprised
OF it, and he drew large envelope
from among a number of papers that
were in large box before him.
1t was addressed in Miss Thorne's
very masculine caligraphy, to himself,
and written in one corner were tho
words:
ITO be opened in the event of my
niece's MARRIAGE
Inside was will, properly signed
and witnessed, and the old lawyers
face cleared as he glanced at it. There
was also an open letter addressed to
Miss Everill.
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
Heaven bless mel" the lawyer ex-
claimed, Heaven bless me! There's no
understanding woman! I'm heartily
glad, anyhow; and now I must 20 and
tell these two that they won't be beg
CARS after all,"-ChicapO Herald.