The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-09-10
CHAPTER VIII.
PART II.

The ruling idea of any mind assumes
the foreground of thought, and after
Arenta's marriage, the dominant de-
sire of George Hyde was to have his
betrothal to Cornelia recognized and
assured He was in haste to light his
own nuptual torch, and afraid every
day of that summons to England which
would delay the event. Hitherto both
had been satisfied with the delicious GER
fainty of their own hearts. To bring
love TO discussion and catechism, to
talk of love, in connection with house
and money matters, to put him into
bonds-however light those bonds might
be-was indeed a safe and prudent thing
for their future happiness, but so far,
the present with its sweet freedom
and uncertainty had been more charm
ing to their imagination. Suddenly,
however. Hyde felt the danger, and
stress of this uncertainty, and the fear
Of losing what he appeared to hold so
lightly.
Il may have to go away with mother
at any time-I may be detained by
events cannot help-and | have not
bound Cornelia to me by any personal
recognized tie-the Rem Van Arens will
be ever near her. o, indeed, this state
of affairs will never do. 1 will write to
Cornelia at this very moment, and tell
her 1 must see her father this evening
can not possibly delay it longer. I have
been a fool-a careless, happy fool-too
long. There is not now a day to
lose. 1 have already wasted more time
than reasonable over the love affairs of
other people; now 1 must look after my
own. Safe bind, safe find; I will bind
Corneha to me before 1 leave her, then
1 have good right to find her safe
when return to claim her.
When such thoughts were passing
through his mind he had risen hastily
from the chair in which he had been
musing He opened his secretary and
sitting resolutely down began a letter 10
DR.. Moran. He poured out his heart and
desires, and then he read what he had
written. 1t would not do at ALL 1t was
a love letter and not a business letter
He wrote another, and then another
The first was too long, it left nothing
in the inkstand; the last was not to be
thought of. When he had finished read
ing them over he was in a passion with
himself
"a fool in your teeth twice over Joris
Hyde!'- he cried. YES, sir, three times,
and far too good for you! Since you
cannot write a decent business letter,
write, then, to the adorable Cornelia;
the words will be at your fingers ems Tor
that letter and will slip from your pen
as if they were dancing.
My Sweet Cornelia-I have not seen
you for two days, and it's a miracle
that l have endured 1t. I can tell you
beloved, that / am much concerned about
our affairs, and now that I have begun
to talk wisely, may talk little more
without wearying you. You know that
I may have to go to England soon, and
go I viii not until I have asked your
father what favor he will show u.s. On
the streets he gets out of my way as If
had the plague. Tell me what hour 1
may call. and see him IN his house.
will then ask him point blank for your
hand, and he is so candid that 1 shall
have in word yes or no in the matter
Do not keep me waiting longer than Z
this very night.7 I have a fever of anX-
tety, and shall not grow better, but
worse, until 1 settle our engagement. o,
my peerless Cornelia, pearl and flower
of womanheod, I speak Your speech, I
think your thought; you are the noblest
thing in my life, and to remember you
is to remember the hours when I was the
very best and the very happiest. Your
image has become part of me, your mem
DRY is a perfume which makes sweet my
heart I wish this moment to give you
thousands and thousands of kisses. Bid
me come to you soon, sooner than z If
possible, for your love is my life. Send
your answer to my city lodging. shall
follow this letter and be impatiently
waiting for 1t. o Cornelia, am l not ever
and entirely yours? George Hyde"
1t was not more than 8 o'clock in the
morning when he wrote this letter. and
as soon as possible he dispatched a swift
messenger with 1t to Cornelia He hoped
that She would receive 1t soon, after
the doctor had left hts home for his
usual round of professional visits; then
she might possibly write to him at once,
and If so, he would get the letter very
Soon after he had reached the city.
1t happened-but doubtless happened he
nrdATnd-fhof fho h0,, g.
which Joris left Hyde Manor, Peter Van
Ariens received a letter which made him
very anxious He left his office and went
to see his son. REM he said, there
Us now an opportunity for thee Here
has come letter from Boston, and some
great hurry. The house of Blume &,
Otis is likely to fail, and in it we have
some great interests. A lawyer we must
have to look after them; go myself and
1t shall be well for both of u.s.
am ready to go-that is, can be
ready in one or two days.
There is not one or two days to spare.
Gerard will take care of thy work here.
Today is the best time of ALL
Il cannot go with a happy mind to-
day 1 will tell You, father, 1 think now
my case with Cornelia will bear putting
to the question. AS you know, it has
been step with step between Joris Hyde
away now without securing the ground
1 have gained, what can hinder HYDE
from taking advantage over me? He
TOO, must go soon, but he will try and
secure his position before he leaves
To do the same thing is my only way
wish then the time to give myself this
security
THAT is fair. A man is not a man
TIL he has Won wife Cornelia Moran
is much to my&mind Tell her my home
Is thine and she will be a mistress dear
~ loved and honored And if a thing is
TO be done, there is no time like the
hour that has not struck Go and see
her now. She was in the garden gather
ing asters when 1 left home this morn
ing
I will write to Der I will tell her
what Is in my heart-though she knows
fun well-and ask her for her love and
her hand. If she is kind to my offer she
VIII tell me to come and see her 70
night then can go to Boston with a
free heart, and look after your money
and your business
IF things be this way thou art rea-
sonable. a good wife must not be lost
for the peril of some gold sovereiens
At once write to the maid Such let
tiers are best done at the first thought
Some prudence or some fears may come
with the second thoughts
~ have no fear but Joris Hyde. That
Englishman J hate His calm conf
dence, his smiling, insolent air are in
tolerable''
ut is the English way. But Cornelia
IS American-as thou art"
'She thinks much of that. But yet
BE not afraid. The brave either find
or make a way to success. What is in
q girls heart no man can TELL If she
be cold and shy. that should not cause