The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-05-17

your wifof" Frances camo BACK ana
stood before him. why, Mr.. Holbin,
there Is not wealth enough in Virginia
TO bring about thatl"
"Miss Brookin"-and Holbin sank
his voice to the most courteous of
tones, and met her glanoes without en-
barrassment--"why 10 it that you dis
like me7"
II have not given the matter a
thought, sir. 1 simply accept the fact"
He was silent q moment, his eyes cast
down.
"You hate my mother" he said, sad-
iy and bitterly, land l am includedI l
understand that. But admitting that
you have cause TO hate her-and do
not-you have none 70 hate me. Con-
slider the injustice. Let me say now
did not expect ever to say IL, but a
man Is no man who will not defend
himself-let me say now that, so far
from having cause TO hate me, IL pro-
found respect, II sympathy for your
loneliness, II genuine affection and the
tenderest love count for anything with
q woman, you have more than sufficient
cause TO think we'll of me-" Frances
looked upon him with Amusement,
touched In spite Of her resolution. He
was not slow to perceive this. my
mother" he continued, SIS not from the
worlds standpoint a lovable woman,
but she is--my motheri and / am her
son. She Is self-willed; but she is just
Shall admit II to you? She has made
my life unhappy; she has been the
cause of my living abroad"
who was Louise, then2 And why
should the mention of her name-have
killed my father?" She covered her
face with her hands, and gave way
gently to her tears. He waited few
moments until she regained her COM
posture. ee
There are turned down pages In
the lives OF all men, Miss Brookin--
and in the lives Of some women. An
other time l shall tell you the his
tory of Louise, and let you Judge me
if you will But I swear to you now
as though I stood in the presence of
God, that l did not lead her of By
means Of a mock marriage-I did noti
You may not understand IL, but there
are times when the man is not alone
to blame In these matters. He is in
volved through his chiyalry; aud In
trying to protect a woman he some
times ruins both the woman and him
self have sinned, but If you knew
how 1 suffered you would pity, not
blame me. Complete PREPARATION was
impossible-but have done my best;
and to-day my life is as free from
evil as most mems"
In no other way could Holbin have
so touched the girls heart. At the
moment she did pity him. Recent
scenes in her own life rose before
her as no had spoken. She turned
70 him, generous and impulsive.
Forgive me IL l have misjudged
you" The words surprised and
alarmed her. He was not slow TO see
his opportunity and take advantage
of it.
''If you misjudged me. IL was nat
ural; for never was man more I'M
fortunately situated to achieve the
dearest wish Of his heart than I am"
"Your dearest wish" she began.
THE wish 10 make you my wito,
Frances; you will think II very nat
ural wish under the circumstances
surrounding us, l am afraid and yet,
whatever may have been my mothers
interest In your fathers will, l knew
nothing whatever Of 1t. Why, l have
been here few weeks only. And
do you suppose for one moment that
could share in any property extort-
ed from you by such strange ciroum-
stances? l am not the heir, IL you
refuse TO marry me, but l may help
you, and will. My dear girl, upon
the day you are 21 II l am sure that
you do not wish to take your property
with the encumbranoe OF husband, I
shall in writing decline TO marry
you"
"Oh. Mr.. Holbin!"
:'For the RESULTS miserable rnys-
tery-you are answered already. If
believed that you were in any way
compromised, would not admit that
love you'll"
please! please do mott"