The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-02-15

pereu lnhb LOru arthur hondal was
very much in love with her.
Elizabeth heard Ralph Crosby's
name mentioned several times later,
when she went TO London. lie was
occupied upon n work that was to
make n name for him, some said. 9th
ers hinted that he was i'll; and Miss
Evcrill wondered that her heart
should beat so quickly at the sound o.
his name. She had resolved to accept
Lord Arthur. lie was rich-much
richer than she-and quite at the top
of the social ladder. Certainly she
did not love him; he was hardly a
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 u mood she was going one
night to n great ball given by one Of
! the most fashionable women in Lon.
don. Lord Arthur would be there,
and probably she would say "Yes" to
his pleadings that night. She rather
thought she would as she stood before
| *
! finishing touches to her toilet. She
had on n 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"
She turned away. Now and again a
feeling came over her that she could
not understand feeling that hei
wealth and her beauty were not tC
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
JavenclPs conservatory, he felt that he
could almost die for her. There wa.
something in her beauty that nights
sadness in the dark eyes behind theil
mirth-that he could not understand
elizabeth" he whispered, "say
'Yes!'" and just then the sound o.
voices reached them.
And Crosby, the artist, you know, il
blind"
"Blind!"
quite. He consulted Reynolds yes
terday, his case is hopeless"
Poor begggarl What will he doP"
81 don't know. He hasn't a penny
He has never steadied himself to worl
for years. Somebody told me of CIR
who Tilted him, or something"
Miss Everill rose.
Lord Arthur, l hope you will neve
speak to me like this again!"
Lord Arthur bowed. He knew tha
further pleading would be useless.
!, Very early on the following morning
Miss Everill's carriage stopped a
: Ralph Crosby's chambers, and Eliza
beth was informed that he was a
home. She gave no name, but entere
the room where he was.
"Ralph!"
1T was voice that he had not hear
for six long years, but he recognize
. it at once, and turned his sightless eye
toward her.
,. "Elizabeth!" he cried, rapturously
,, opening his arms, and in an instant sh
was folded in them.
But you must not, Elizabeth" h
said later you must not sacrifice a
for me-"
1T is no sacrifice" she replied, con
posedly; but 1 am dreadfully afrai
= that had to ask you to marry me!
wonder what Mr.. Northbrooke wi
say when he hears of this?" and sh
laughed.
what fools women are!" was wha
the old lawyer said on being apprise
of it, and he drew large envelop
from among number of papers tina
: were in large box before him.
1t was addressed in Miss Thorne
very masculine caligraphy, to himsel
and written in one corner were tn
words:
ITO be opened in the event of m
niece's marriage"
: Inside was n will, properly signe
and witnessed, and the old lawyer
face cleared as he glanced at it. Their
was also an open letter addressed
l Miss Everill.
: IF you have sold yourself, my niec'
take the price of your slavery. If yo
: have been honest enough 10 marry fo
love, take your reward. In either cas-
l Glenthorne is yours"
: "Heaven bless mel" the lawyer e'
I claimed, "Heaven bless me! There's n
! understanding a woman! I'm hearth
1 glad, anyhow; and now l must go an
tell these two that they won't be bet
= gars after all."-Chicago Herald.
Lucids