The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-04-04

may resist that. And then had no rea-
son to suspect that I was to marry a
girl. 1t might have been an expert
enced widow. Indeed" @.'
"But you are glad it wasn't, are you.
not?" she asked, anxiously. -,
Eyes, my child" =. ~, - ~
"Does my question then indicate that
am a child?" e
eyes, my child"
Il don't see why" =.
because you are still--a child" She
was not satisfied. - ~ ..
''Mr. Somers, I want you to think
we'll of me always, and the thought that
I may meet you sometime doesn't en-
barrass me now. It would not embar-
rass me if l did meet you-even if I
should meet you tomorrow. But wish
you to know all about me, and am 60
ing to tell you everything from the be-
ginning" 49,
mo, indeed, you shall not" he said,
quickly. She lifted her head, startled.
"Why motif l choose? I am not
afraid to trust you"
"No. no! Miss Frances
"Ah, a m woman again!"
Eyes. woman of charm so sweet
and heart so true that Richard Som
ers must arm himself. Notyour honor,
but mine, the honor of your husband,
is at stake, and you promised to regard
that always"
And l shall, sir; only tell me how"
"Why, have promised my friend not
to seek to find out, or permit anyone
to tell me anything about you. I may
not let even you inform me. You must
not"
She was silent, disturbed, and Won
dering at his intense earnestness.
Then she said, in awe at the mystery
of it all: when we part to-night@we
are to meet as friends no more? You
may never take my hand in yours and
speak kindly to me again? Oh, sir, you
do not know, you do not know what
your tenderness has done for the girl
no, the woman you call child. You
do not know what it is to have missed
fathers care, mother's--"
"Hush!" he cried, mot one word
more. You are making it hard-hard
for me to keep faith with my friend
You are betraying his secret" She
threw off his hand and arose suddenly,
with an abandon of passion that over
whelmed him.
what mockery! what a mockery!
I am asian ed-ashamed! 1t is who
am betrayed" He had arisen also,
full of emotion and almost unnamed.
"Never-at my hands. I chose the
words deliberately. I will honor and
protect you-to the best of my ability;
but my ability ends where my promise
began. All is based upon my contract
with Francis Brodnar, my friend."'
'Friend-friend!" she said, bitterly;
"in Gods lame, sir, what Am to you?"
He was too deeply affected to answer at
once. When he did his voice was I'M
steady.
'This: In the hour I have been
here you have found an untrodden way
to the heart of Richard Somers. know
now that no woman was ever there
before you; none will ever follow YOU
1 may not be here to give you my hand
Il do not know the circumstances that
surround you, Or even if in winning
your sympathy I am playing false-but
wherever you are, remember that my
soul follows, and I would keep guard
over You if I might" He spoke with
an earnestness and passion that dis
turbed and alarmed himself Some
thing like groan burst from his lips
when he realized how far he had Nm-
mitted himself, and he sank back in his
chair. There presently she found him,
and resting her hand timidly upon his
arm, she said, gently:
"What would you have me answer
you?" She was calm and confident
now. At first she had shrunk little
from him. Her simple, confding action
restored to him his calmness.
II would have you say at what hour
it is you are accustomed to close the
eyes which look down upon without
seeing mine"
'At nine. But what is this upon your
lapel-a flower?"
"A white rose for our wedding"
With pretty show of authority she
drew it from its resting place and
fixed it in her hair
do not flowers belong to the
bride?"
Wear it in memory of me-" he said,
gently. But now I am going to in
sist that you take steps to preserve
those other roses which 1 am sure
have bloomed for you. Have you a
dressing-room?"
eyes, but I am not sleepy and I
shall not desert you. Wait. Speaking
Of the rose, shall sing you song I
love very much-that is, if I can find
my guitar. All, here it list Now I'll
sit here-and you right there-but I
wonder if can ever play in the dark?
May 1 not have just a little light?
I won't mind"
"How easily you forget! 1t is i'm
possible. Sing as you are; shall not
hear any discord." He was astonished
at her swift change of mood and a
new, glad note in her voice. She sang