Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-04-05

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very martinez in love.
II am very sure that Roddy does not
care scrap nowadays for me-" she
said demurely, adding, with sweet con-
triton. "and l am not surprised, after
the way treated him. But was only
thoughtless girl in those days, and
know he has forgiven me-"
How long ago is it since those
days'?" queried Don, toying with a
golden strand of her hair. Her words
had restored his reinsurance and calm.
II try to think it is long. long
time, Don," she answered gravely. "for
then l never thought of right or wrong.
or how beautiful it makes life If we
try to serve God rather than self. Oh"
she broke off, with a thrill of emotion
in her voice, sometimes l pray l may
live to be an old woman, just to try to
make up for all those wasted years.
and so I, too, pray that you may,
though it were only to solace the de-
clining years of a lost sinner like my
self, sweet saint" he rejoined, lightly.
And now, my darling, since | know
your heart is mine, beyond retraction,
i can risk to tell you my news from
home today. That faithless Roddy Is
about to be espouscd to my sister, Di."
"Oh. am so glad-so glad!" she ex-
claimed, and there was no mistaking
the genuine warmth OF her words.
You will tell him that when you
write, won't you, Don? And l myself
will write to Di. Oh, Don, think Di
is one of the noblest women in the
whole world. But for her example I
should never have learned to remem-
Der our lives are not our own"
Don rose from her side with a mo-
mentary flush on his cheek.
You were not always such little
Puritan, Lille" he rallied her, cor,
don't you know, pom my word. |
should have been afraid to think it
possible you would ever look at such
a reprobate as me. for-you know am
not hypocrite, Lillie-I'm not good
fellow by any means, and, to tell the
truth, l don't want to be one"
1t was bold thing for him to say
In the face of her guileless professions
of faith; but love made Lille blind to
everything but the bliss Of knowing
he had claimed her heart forever,
and that into his hands had been put
the wondrous power Of making his
ehequered life blessed.
She rose. too. and put her hands out
to him with a sweetness that banished
all thought of alien opinion.
Some day, Don. perhaps you will
come to know, as l do now, that this
world is not everything; and so long
as you love me l am content to wait
for l know that God will make it plain
to you in His own good time"
Don's arms closed around her with
more demonstrative tenderness than
he had yet shown.
MY white Lily, I am perfectly GER
tain we shall prove model Darby and
Joan. for, s.nce you will have me, what
do care for anything else?"
And then he kissed her again, and
murmured sweet nothings" in her ear
that brought the color fitting happily
to her lovely cheek. Lastly he drew
from his little finger a gold band, bear
ing diamond ivy leaf. and inscribed
inside with the single word "Bydand"
-steadfast-the Gordon badge and
motto.
And when he had placed it on the
third finger of Lilies fair hand, she
repaid him by throwing her arms about
his neck and giving him the first shy
kiss of love.
ooh, Don, may we be like the ivy,
and always cling close to each other.
May nothing ever come between us
two!" she cried.
Those words of deepest love might
the mans lips than the girls; but Don
read in their sweet solemnity the hid
den meaning of hopedfor higher
bond Of union, and he only smiled con-
siderately as he held her close and re-
turned her kiss with liberal interest.
Il hope" he said playfully, that
means you never, never would be so
cruel as to jilt me as you did old Rod
dy. There! forgive me, sweet, I'm
brute to have reminded you of those
days when you were such dear little
coquette. Are you quite sure you are
not afraid of giving yourself to such
Jealous beggar as am, Lille? For
you know ] am jealous"
do you know why l didn't tell you
of Roddy's engagement till knew that
j had won your dear heart? Because
/ didn't want to be taken out of pity.
You need never be jealous Of me
any more, Don," she said, with sweet
earnestness.
What of His Highness Prince Glenn
ent Sing, who your father told me sent
you lately present of certain cash
mere shawl, and a champac necklace?'
he queried, laughing.
But the question turned Lilies
bllshing face for the instant pale. 1t
had suddenly reminded her OF Captain
Derwent's favor of this would-be suit
or for her hand. Prince Clement Sing,
though a native of the Punjaub, had
European blood in his veins, and had
lived from boyhood in England, and
graduated at one of the English uni
yersities.
81 would have returned the presents
but father explained to me it would
give serious offense," she said depre-
catingly. cit was unpleasant to have
to accept them; but if it is the custom
OF the country to give costly things
like that as we give flowers and trifles
at home" She stopped.
81 was only joking" Don interrupted
her calmly. But this reminds me,
love. shall have to get your fathers
consent, suppose. before can ask you
to name the happy day? For you