Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-07-24

did not know anything about Freeda's
feelings in the matter. Since his own
unexpected feeling for Miss Seton he
had come to learn that in cases Of love
people could not always determine
with mathematical certainty just what
a person might do under certain condi-
tons. On the point Of Freeda's proba-
BILE action he was really in doubt Only
it seemed like monstrous proposition
for Willis to entertain or for Freeda to
consider for moment.
There Is one way you can find out"
Edward ventured to say.
! Eyes, and intend to find out pretty
soon too."
II can't wish you success" replied
Edward, as he walked back to his own
table. As he sat down he added in a
milder tone:
willis, of course don't need to say
that believe it would be a calamity
for my sister to marry you. She has
been brought up in an entirely different
world. She Is poor; you are rich. She
is church member; you are not. She
has perfect horror, as have. for all
the vices that are familiar to you. You
could not make her happy"
Il could, If she loved me as I love
her."
''It's impossible. You are too far
apart even to sympathize with each
other. Besides, she never will care for
you as long as you continue to drink
and gamble"
"But I've quit all that Haven't
shown you that can master myself?
Haven't l lived all straight enough
lately? And all for her sake tooT'
Edward did not reply. He had little
faith in the spasms Of Willis reform.
Cant I live down the past all right?
Is your sister never going to marry
any one but an out and out saint
There are mighty few of 'em among
the men,"
II don't think it does any good to
talk about it. have my opinion, and
it won't change. One thing I'm very
confident of, and that is that Freeda
will never care anything for you She
is here in college to get an education.
She Is not old enough to get married.
She is the last person in the world to
think of such a thing. 1t is all as alb.
surd as it can be-
1T is not absurd at all. Good God,
Ned, don't you see how am situated
don't care for the old college. All the
time I've been here I've been tempted
by the fast set to do the things I've
been doing. I'm no scholar. hate
books, except novels. When l think
Of what it's all for, don't care rar
for the education. But I like business
and know as well as anything that
can succeed with the opening my uncle
has made for me. Now, If can settle
down in home of my own l shall be
In fair way to make man of myself
No other girl ever appealed to me like
your sister. I feel as if could promise
her anything and keep it, too, even az
I haven't kept my promise to my owr
mother. Does that mean nothing tt
you? 1t means everything to me-"
There was quite a silence in the
room. Then Edward spoke very slowly
"Then you want my sister to sacri
fee herself to save you. Is that it?"
Il don't ask her to sacrifice anything
II she does not care for me-" replied
Willis proudly.
Edward did not reply to this, anl
after awhile Willis said: 'T'm going t,
write to your mother and ask her 4
l may speak to Freeda. II she gives
her consent, l suppose it's all right"
Il shall never give mine."
But she is Of age. She can decide
for herself"
II mean that it will never be with m,
approval that you ask Freeda to mar
~ you. haven't any fears about
the answer she will give you"
Nevertheless, he did have some fears
and Willis seemed to know that fact.
1T all rests with her, then. Will
you promise me one thing, Ned? VIII
you promise not to say anything t,
her before get word from your moth
err After all, isn't man to be al
lowed to choose for himself when h
loves persona?
Edward hesitated. He did not know
just what his mother would say. Blu
what Willis said had a good deal O
weight after all.
Eyes, I'll promise that" he said a
last reluctantly.
"All right. Thank you" replied VII
lis, and then, as by agreement, the con
versation stopped.
A week later Willis showed Edwart
letter from Mrs. Blake.
Edward read it through in some SUI
prise. 1t was in answer to Willis lei
ter, in which he had evidently gon
into full account of the matter. 81
had put his case as strongly as poss
BILE, and Mrs. Blake had evidentl
sympathized with him to a degre,
His proposal concerning Freeda ha
come as a great surprise, but she wa
willing that Freeda should decide he
future. She had always given he
great freedom and did not wish to Ct
cree her feeling. At the same time sh
ventured to express her strong regre
that Mr.. Preston was not Christia
by profession and more than hinte
, her doubts concerning Freeda's a.
J ceptance of such future on a.
count of her religious home training
, etc. The letter closed with relucta1
~ 81 l. all