The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-02-01


hand toward him and drawing rs close
as she could. Il have depended on Won
and trusted you all my life, ever since I
was quite little girl, when you told me
that you were my guardian and would
take care of me. And you have taken
care of me. haven't you-very good care.
l should say"
Until now" said Winford gloomily.
but now | am absolutely useless. |
don feel more useless against the winds
and waves than | have felt the whole Of
the past fortnight Molly. in knowing
that you were giving me up for the sake
or newcomer, who wants to take Won
out OF my care and make you Il part of
his life. 1t is George Vivian whom YOU
choose for your protector, is it not?"
lie Is not much of protector now"
said Molly.
What can You expcct?" Winford ask
ed her bitterly. He is young and hand
some. He has all his life before him. and
he Is not likely to want to throw it away.
lie will make a brave fight for his own
life but, Molly, he won't give his life for
yours-as | would do"
Molly was silent. but her hand closed
tighter over Winfords arm.
i am old, know" continued Winford.
and ugly and embarrassing. ana can
not expect you to care for me so much
as for younger man. But | do want to
say word about Vivian, Molly, because
1t is possible, YOU know-just possible
that You may he sovod from tIo ,,,rao1.
and that I NAV NOT and ti,ar Nv -; N,
have nobodv to od,,isn ,.,,, 49, 49, ~, -,
guardian used 70 do ~
You are NOT old +" said NIo1I,. o,,ioI.l,.
"And there i no narticrlor mood Co.. ~,
to warn me against Vivian F."
"Pcrhans NOT. INT ono i tor,,+od =
do unnecessary tbinos somotinog" so;3
Winrord s,rimlv ..If ,.n,, mo .o,.,I
Molly. YOU will be nrizr Won know no.
cause | have loft Won MI INV. ,,o,,o,. ~,
there is a GOOD deal Of it-norn thon anv.
body knows-so want vo, "a Lo o,.o
full
Il won't live if Won dio " sbo o,;od Win,
a sudden note Of nassion in Lar voioo
"Don't say that. nv chilli Tho motion
is probably NOT ir our bonds II - ,non,
than likely that nono of ~. r.iII o,.,,,. co.,
land again but thern i irst tbis tbat if
you do escape Won must no on vonr
guard against men who want to n,arr,,
you for YOUR money. Do Won nndor-
stand?"
Il shall marry nobody" said Molly
But the winds and the waves roorod 50
loudly that the words did NOT roach Win
ford's ear.
'This is my warning if Won escane."
said the man. But | am moro CON
cerncd about what want TO saw if
neither of us escapes. If we meet in
another world, you know, | think if
would he more satisfactory if | had told
you the truth now. for | suppose Won
would know it then. Your father and
were friends, as you have ALWAYS heard
and that was why took charge of his
child when he died out there in Austria
liza. Every one thought that | was a
most devoted friend to him. but there
was something which nobody knows,
Molly, and which | never intended even
you to know. | cheated your father,
robbed him; practically killed him, for
| broke his heart, and that is what it
seems to me you ought to know
Her eyes were fixed upon his face, and
the gentIeness in them did not waiver in
the very least. He felt compelled to go
on, to say even more cutting and con
demnatory things about himself.
Il cannot explain everything just now,
dear. but you must take my word about
1t. 1t was something about Il mine.
knew the worth of IT, and he did not. |
bought it from him for an old song and
made my fortune while he lived aud died
destitute. lie never reproached me, but
saw he knew the truth before he died.
and never told him, Molly. ! never
asked nm to forgive me-
But he would have forgiven you"
said Molly.
Perhaps he would. He was a good
man. 1t was for his sake that | took
you and did my best for you, but | have
always felt that every penny of what |
made belonged to you by rights. although
he had died of want, heartbreak and fe
yer, away IN the scrub, with nobody to
give nm a helping hand. That was my
fault' you know.
And you have sorrowed for that all
these years. SAID Molly. 1T was not
worth while. Don't you know he forgives
you now!
IF you forgive me-" the man said, Il
think can believe that your father
would. and the worst of it was he
went on, that was not content to make
of the good thinps Of this world rs
could. but ! was idiot enough to grow
fond of her-to love her--to feel that my