The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-07-03

artist, recently arrived from a years
study abroad, is the guest of Mrs. Ar
thur Penrose. sister of the late John
Gilbert
That was all, but it reused Malcom
Kirk to instant action. He knew with
all the vigor and intensity of his deep,
honest nature that his love for Dorothy
Gilbert was now the largest part Of his
life. He had consecrated his time and
strength to the ministry. He did not
deceive himself. He knew what such
a conservation meant He faced, open
eyed. the entire meaning of a minis
ter's career in home missionary
church "out west"
But looking at it all through dis
passionate eyes he said ass he walked
his study: ''She must choose between
him and me. | cannot go to my work
without speaking to her. My love for
her is honest and true, and if God
grant that she can love me and share
my life with me-
He left the rest unspoken. and, 60
ing back to his desk, he sat down,
trembling a little as he put his face in
his hands and prayed that the hunger
of his heart might be satisfied. He
had made up his mind to act and act
quickly. and once he had decided on
his course he was free from all doubt
as to it's wisdom.
He took the afternoon train for Bev-
erly and reached the place before dusk.
Mrs. Penrose lived in one of the hand
some summer villas near the sea. The
whole place smote Kirk as with a
blow aimed at his poverty, his obscuri-
ty, his whole future. And yet he said
to himself as he walked up the steps
that there was something in his life
which money and all it's attendant ele-
gance could not buy, and he believed
that Dorothy Gilbert somehow, if she
ever loved any one enough, would feel
the same way toward all the outward
display CT wealth.
The servant who came in answer to
his ring said that Miss Gilbert had
gore out for a walk and had not yet
returned. He at once asked for Mrs
Penrose. When she came in where
Kirk was standing in the reception
| room. she surprised him by greeting
| him very warmly by name. He haG
| merely met her at the time Of Mr.. Gil
bert's Illness, but not more than once
or twice and then very briefly.
She was a woman of great tact, and
she made Kirk feel at ease. She had
not the remotest idea that he was in
/ love with Dorothy or what was the OBJ
| ject of his call, and m few minutes
seeing this, he made up his mind what
to do.
dorothy is down by the beach will
Mr.. Raleigh. They will be back fol
tea. You have met him, Mr.. Kirk?
would be pleased to have you stay ant
take tea with u.s.
''Thank you. l shall be glad to d,
Co." replied Malcom Kirk promptly
All the while he was fast arriving at ,
determination to tell Mrs. Penros,
what he had come for.
81 believe you met Mr.. Raleigl
while you We're abroad? He was tell
ing us something about you this morn
ing"
"Was hep said Malcom Kirk quiet
Iy. Eyes, l met him on the Cepha
lonia going over. We had several Lit
tie visits together. l enjoyed Them"
Mrs. Penrose was sitting where sh
could see from the reception room win
dow the stretch of beach. She locke,
out and said: 81 don't see them comm
yet. They will be here soon, l think
You were saying, Mr.. Kirk, that yo
enjoyed meeting Raleigh. Excuse 10
if l say that he spoke in warmes
terms of you. He told US about you
care of that poor baby. He wondere
what became of it afterward."
"Its quite long story" said Kirl
"but pardon me, Mrs. Penrose, If
don't try to tell it now. l want to te
you why am here. l love your nice
and l am going to ask her to be m
wife,"