The Opelousas courier., 1901-01-12

mo, Dorothy. Did you think
would ask any woman to tie herself to
such as / am now, a helpless cripple?
No, child. / wanted to tell you, as ]
told your aunt. that you can remain In
safety now at your home, for the
dreadful bear is going away not to
hibernate, as my prototype does
though ! wish I could; but since that
cannot be. I am going to try to get well
for some one I love, Or die"
"And she will go with you?"
II cannot ask her that. If I get well,
I will ask her to be my wife; il I die,
she shall be my heiress."
"Then," said the girl, with a sober,
downcast look, IF she loves you, and
am sure you would not want her to
marry you IL she did not, you are do.
ing her as well as yourself an injus.
tice."
"How SOP"
"You think you know all about
women, Mr.. Holbroke, but you know
very little unless you do know that
true woman would love you all the bet.
ter because you suffer, and be all the
gladder to go with you because you
need her."
She did not waver, though she felt
like n who builds a block wherein
her own hearts blood was to fow.,
do you really think that, Dorothy
or is it only because you are thinking
Of another's bearing the burden any
woman might naturally wish tc
shrink?"
"You are SO cynical, Mr.. Holbroke,
that you believe in the goodness and
loyalty Of no one. II you disbelieve
me, I have no way to convince you that
I spoke from my heart"
There is a way; did you think II
was for Miss Eastman I intend to get
well? 1t is some one else I love. and
for whose sake I want to be myself
again, so that I shall have the right to
tell her of my love, and ask hers in
return"
IT never thought of any one else;
Miss Eastman Is so beautiful" And
she looked at him wonderingly.
This other is more beautiful to me,
and it is almost more than I can en-
dure to leave her without telling her
Of my love, or asking her to wait for
me a while, at least"
He vas looking at her with an al
most panied intentness.
"You r causing yourself needless
sorrow, and yet you do not tell me how
I can prove that this is my honest
opinion"
ooh, Dorothy, you have yourself to
blame il you have overcome my firm
resolve! That kiss you gave me when
you went away awoke a love which
thought could never more exist for me.
Come to me, Dorothy, as I cannot come
to you, and say you forgive NIX for
saying this much to you, just this
meagre bit of all that is in my heart"
"You surely cannot joke about any
thing so sacred, Mr.. Holbroke?"
Dorothy a physician does not like
to take his own medicine" i.
The girl turned away and a low sob
smote his heart.
ooh, child, child, you make me tell
you all that I thought to repress; I
love you better than my life, and want
you to wait for me a little while, and
forgive me for asking such q thing OF
you"
Forgive you for making me happy"
she cried. turning a face where tears
and smiles were blended toward him.
Going to him, she tenderly caressed
the hand he had held out to her, but
which had failed at his side.
"Can you learn to love me, Dor
othy?"
81 love you now. but my love is
worthless If you cannot rely on it for
help and comfort when you most need
it."
why, Dorothy, one would almost
think you were willing to go with me
to Hot Springs"
"Am I forward If I say that to go
with you would make me very, very
hppy?"
"God bless you, Dorothy" He drew
her to him and kissed her. 1T think
Mrs. Granthen should be told right
away; she has been troubled for me"
She went with him to those won
drous waters which make the lame
walk, the leper to be cleansed; Dorothy
could almost see their subtle power
stealing through her husbands veins,
and note day by day his Improvement,
the easier movement and slight glow
in his face.
AT last he walked TO her Gro the
room.
ri can come to you now, Dorothy"
he said proudly. IT wonder If you were
ever half as glad to come to met"
II was very. very glad" she an
swered, loves light shining in her
eyes, then fading swiftly.
what is the trouble, dear?"
"Do you think If you had known you
would get well again you would have
married me instead Of
He took her face between his hands
and looked into her eyes, his own full
Of laughter.
81 married you, came here, am about
well, and the hapiest man alive-1ust
for spite. Does that sound reason
able?"
moo" !.
seThen don't even let me see that
shadow In you eyes again. We will go
home soon, and let Mrs. Granthen see
for whom I was fretting in those bitter
nast days-the little alchemist who has
turned all this darkness into the golden
sunshine Of happiness. "-Waverley
Magazine.