Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-02-22

ulu not love nlm, he was naruly q
man whom any woman could respect.
Anyhow she did not respect him, and
yet she would marry him. They were
uncongenial spirits, she knew, but
what of that?
In such mood she was going oae
night to great ball given by one OF
the most fashionable women IN Lon
don. Lord Arthur would be there,
and probably she would say Eyes" to
his pleadings that night. She rather
thought she would as she stood be-
fore mirror when her maid had given
the finishing touches to her toilet.
She had on new white dress, and
pearls were on her neck and amid
her dusky hair; she was radiantly
beautiful.
six years ago!'' she muttered.
Six years and more since the day
Ralph Crosby said d"
She turned away Now and again
feeling came over her that she could
not understands feeling that her
wealth and her beauty were not to
bring her happiness; and she had
grown impatient with herself for feel
ing so. Generally at such times she
was even gayer than usual, and when,
some hours later, Lord Arthur sat by
her side in convenient recess in
Lady Javenell's conservatory, he felt
that he could almost die for her.
There was something in her beauty
that night "a sadness in the dark eyes
behind their mirth-that he could not
understand
elizabeth" he whispered, ''say
Yes! and just then the sound of
voices reached them.
"And Crosby, the artist, you know,
is blind"
"Blind!"
''Quite. He consulted Reynolds
yesterday, his case is hopeless.
"Poor beggar! What will he do?"
81 don't know. He hasn't penny
for years. Somebody told me of a
girl who Tilted him, OF something"
Miss Everill rose.
Lord Arthur, hope you will
never speak to me like this again."
Lord Arthur bowed. He knew that
further pleading would be useless.
Very early on the following morn
ing Miss Everill's carriage stopped at
Rulph Crosby's chambers, and Eliz-
home. She gave no name, but entered
the room where ho was.
"Ralphr'
''it was voice that he had not
heard for six long years. but he re-
cognize1 it at once, and turned his
sightless eyes toward her.
''Elizabeth!" he cried rapturously,
opening his arms, and in an instant
she was folded IN them.
''But you must not, Elizabeth" he
said later, you must not sacrifice all
for me.
eft is no sacrifice she replied,
composedly; but l am dreadfuliy
afraid that had to ask you to marry
me! l wonder what Mr.. Northbrooke
will say when he hears of this?" and
she laughed.
''What fools women are!" was what
the old lawyer said on being apprised
of it, and he drew large envelope
from among number of papers that
were in a large box before him.
1t was addressed, in Miss Thorne's
very masculine caligraph, to himself,
and written in one corner were the
words:
''To be opened in the event of nv
niece's marriage,
Inside was viii, properly signed
and witnessed. and the old lawyers
face cleared as he glanced at it, There
was also an open letter addressed to
Miss Everill.
eff you have sold yourself, my
niece, take the price of your slavery.
If you have been honest enough to
marry for love, take your reward In
either case Glenthorne is yours -
Heaven bless me"' the lawyer ex-
claimed, ''Heaven bless mel There's
no understanding woman! I'm
heartily glad, anyhow; and now 1
must go and tell these two that they
won't be beggars after all. -