Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-03-22
Continued.

embarrassment In nef manner, anu,
looking at her, Laurie Nugent Won
dered il she loved him-if ever he
should win her, or if he should have TO
leave her at last.
II have not dlspleased you, j trust?'
he said, looking at the beautiful, down
cast face. You asked me the question
so suddenly, | was taken by surprise.
III all the poetry in the world were
compressed into single song, 1t could
not describe my affection for you; If all
the love that has ever been felt by
mortal man could be placed in one heart,
il would still fall far short OF the love
] feel for you"
She glanced at him quietly.
You love me, them" she querled in
a voice that breathed sweetest music.
II love you" he repeated, and the
sound OF his words startled him even
more than 1t did Ethel Gordon.
They sat for some minutes in silence
while the Ginning OF the bells noated
around them.
Il love you" repeated Laurie Nugent
II have summoned courage at last to
say so. / loved you the first moment
] saw you. and I shall love you until i
die. know 1t is presumption. You
are as far above me as the blue sky or
the golden sun; but | love you. and by
the ladder of love hope to climb to
your side"
He caught her white hands in a pas
sionate grasp, so tightly as almost to
cause her to cry aloud.
What the men OF old did to win the
women they loved, would do, Ethel.
d would serve for you twice seven
years. content II | might win you at
last. I would love You all my life and
be content TO win one word, one smile,
in return, as | lay dying. | would go
out and fiEht for you as did the heroes
of old; for | love you, Ethel, as no man
has ever loved woman before"
His voice died away in passionate
murmur, and he buried his face in the
sllken, shining folds of her dress.
She sat silent and motlonless. for his
words had fallen upon her with a
blank surprise; she had not expected
them
Ethel, he continued. 81 have moth
Ing to offer You that Is worthy of you.
What would be worthy? If | had all
the worlds wealth and could lay 1t al
your feet, 1t would be unworthy of you
If | were an emperor, and could raise
you to the throne by my side. and
could give YOU the crown from my
brow IL would still be unworthy of you
] can give you nothing but the deep
passionate love of my heart. my faith
my truth, my life"
He paused again. with the last word
trembling on his lips
Her proud, frank eyes were shining
down upon him, but there was no con-
fusion in her face, no hesitation in her
manner.
why do you love me so much?" she
asked, with the simple wonder of a
child. Il do not understand Il.
81 cannot tell YOU Ethel. Why do |
love you? cannot help IL. loved
you before | knew your name, or had
heard you speal;, My heart went from
me in the first glimpse | had OF your
beautiful face. Ask tie birds why they
sing. the flowers why they bloom. the
sun why 1t shines, Ii would be easier
for those to answer than for me 10 say
why | love yon cannot help 1t. 1t
Is my destiny. and no fairer one was
ever given to man.
He raised his handsome head. and
looked up into the calm. proud. severe
face
Il am almost frightened at my own
presumption" he continued; 1t Is as
IL slave had dared raise his eyes 10
the fdirest the proudest, and brightest
OF queens Ethel say you are not
angry with me-"
Il am not angry" she replied.
You will think grow courageous
with kindness Say even more than
that what will YOU give me In return
for my great lover"
Il do not know" she answered; and
there was grace SO chililike, so inno-
cent, so pure, in her looks and words
that once more the impulse was strong
upon HIN TO save her from himself
Only for enc moment did Il last. ard
then the selfish. passionate love rose
In his heart, and he was kneeling at
her feet
Ethel, pray you give me something
in return for my love-give me liking
that will IN time become love. Bid me
do something that can prove how dear
~ love you DO not send me from
you 10 despair and death am a strong
and proud man; my pride and strength.
with my love and my life. are lying at
your feet-stoop and raise them.
Ethel"
He could not have spoken more ef-
fectively: one of Ethels weakest points
was this love OF power to which he now
appealed.
1T was something to find that this
strong, handsome. powerful man laid
his life IN her hands knelt at her feet,
praying for one kind word from her.
Il Battered her: she had fancled her
self SO neglected she had been deposed