The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1900-11-02

promise you have given me. You little
know what 1t means to me, who have
felt myself alone In the world, to know
that there is one heart beating In re-
Spouse to my deep love, and dear face
watching for my return. AS heaven
bears me Witness you shall never have
cause TO regret it,"
]'Good-by, Herbert. l shall pray for
your safety and speedy return. Take
care of yourself, for with dropping lids
and an almost naudible voice. you are
my life"
Herbert Lord drew the beautiful girl
to him In a closer embrace, and the last
moments Of their parting, though silent,
were full Of eloquence.
Marjorie had watched her handsome
lover as he mounted the hill. When he
reached the summit he turned, and she
stretched out both hands to him In
mute entreaty for his return; then she
summoned her courage and gayly
kissed her hand to him. He raised his
cap, returned her salute. and with head
still barred, disappeared from view.
Marjorie leaned against the tree and
covered her face with her hands. She
felt loneliness that she had never be-
fore experienced. All unconscious that
their parting had been witnessed, the
young girl sat musng until she was
startled by hearing a voice almost in
her ear:
why these tears. Miss Marjorie?
Surely no one has less cause for unhap-
piness than the beautiful Miss Gardi-
ner."
Marjorie turned and saw before her
Thomas Braeme. How she loathed him
at that moment! Yet, why? She knew
him 10 be immensely wealthy; he was
considered a great catch by mammas
with marriageable daughters; he was
3icnized by society; and yet Marjorie in
voluntarily shrank from his smooth
ltongue and persistent attentions. She
had once refused his offer of marriage,
and this act on her part had been the
cause of many bitter reproaches from
her family.
When she heard his voice she drew
herself up. and ignoring his out
stretched hand, replied: Pardon me-
Mr.. Braeme. l am not unhappy; and II
4 were l fail to see how it could pos
sibly concern you"
His eyes flashed ominously, but he
controlled his anger and replied:
Anything that affects you concerns
me, Marjorie. No. hear me. You know
that l have loved yOu-that l still love
you, and l now come for the second
time with your parents approval and
good wishes for my success. Marjorie,
marry me and you shall have every
thing that makes life worth living. l
will be good husband to you"
Husband At the thought Of Thomas
Braeme as a husband her face grew
white and shudder shook her frame
She answered. coldIy:
"Mr. Braeme, | can only answer you
as did before. and ask you to accept
this as final. Your persistency In this
matter annoys me, and beg of you to
cease"
She turned to go, but he stopped her.
There is some one else-you cannot
deny III"
Neither does that concern you" she
haughtily replied.
In his anger he cried: "And do you
Imagine that l do not know your little
game? You have met Herbert Lord
against your parents wishes and many
of your clandestine meetings have been
witnessed. A common sailorl Where
is your sense of honor that you stoop
so low?"
Marjorie was thoroughly aroused by
this attack, and her reply, though ut
tered in anger, carried conviction.
81 will tell you. My idea of honor
lies in the fact that when a man re-
spends TO his country's call and is
worthy to wear its glorious uniform,
poor man though he be, he has reached
a degree of honor which rich stay-at-
home can never attain. Listen Her
bert Lord is poor, you are rich; but one
button on his coat is worth more to me
than all your piles of boosted gold. l
respect him, and If he lives to return l
shall marry him. Now. if you have one
atom of the honor for which you are
looking in others you will never men,
tion this subject to me again.
Marjorie Gardiner turned and walked
away.
Every argument was used to induce
her to change her decision, but Marjorie
remained true to her promise, and when
she was married a year later 1t was a
quiet affair, as beftted the brides fu.
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