Hutchinson gazette., 1901-05-23

portend she thought Of nothing-re-
mombered nothing-beyond the fact
that, for her, life's sweetness, liberty
aud tender sympathy were not,
At length, rousing herself with an
effort, she went up to Lcydon and
placed hor hand on his Her heart
was beating wildly, her face was ash
on,
DO you remember q question you
asked me about two weeks ago." she
said 30 you still care to remember
IL? Because, II 80, | have q different
answer to make You now"
1.-TWO weeks ago | asked you to
marry mo-" he replied, In forced, un'
natural manner
And then said No." she MUIR
INJURED family; nov now--l would
say Yes She covered her face with
her hands; q thick, dry, fearless sob
escaped her
"But | have not asked you to say
It," observed his lordshlp, coldly, still
keeping down with firm hand the rls-
ing hope that was consuming him.
What, Mildred, do you imagine that,
because | have been able to help you
in this little matter have claim on
YOU? You are doing both yourself and
mo great injustice"
"You are too good for me-" said
Miss TrevanIon; and yet know you
love me, II you stlll care to marry
me, | Will gladly be your wife"
Mildred, Mildred, what are YOU
saylng?" he cried, all the Icy brave re-
serve breaking down In an instant.
Think what your thoughtless words
must mean to mo--llfe, hope, happl-
ness greater than | have ever dared
to dream of-and beware lest | take
advantage Of them, II you are say
ing all this as feel you are-from q
mistaken sense Of gratitude or pity,
| impore you to desist and leave mo
as | was before
Listen to me-" cntreated Mildred,
determined honestly to advocate her
own doom, aud holding out to him
her hands, which he gently took and
held "lf tell you that | do not love
you with that passionate love with
which some women love the men they
marry, but that ! respect you above
all living men, will II content you
will you take me as | am?
"If were quite sure you would DO
happy" he began, reluctantly,
81 am quite sure should be happy"
she interposed, and burst into bitter
tears as she spoke,
After q little she recovered herself,
Il feel nervous" she declared, try
ing bravely to appear her usual self,
and smiling q wan, faint smile, though
heavy drops were on her lashes, you
should have come to my rescue--it Is
not every day the proposal is made by
the woman"
"My darling" he said tenderly ca.
ressng the small hands, OF which he
had again possessed himself, II hope
/ think-you will never regret It.
Mildred II were quite certain that
this was for your good and that you
would never wish unsaid the words
you have uttered, / believe | might
feel satisfied
"Be satisfied, then" she returned
but there was terrible, duh aching
pain at her heart, as she gave the
expected assurance.
When he was gone she went upstairs
again to the room where she had left
her father and mother, and found
them stlll there-Slr George standing
at the window gazing out upon the
snow-coyercd ground Lady Caroline
before the fire, as though In the act
Of warming herself The traces Of
tears were still upon her mothers
checks, and even as Mildred gazed q
heavy drop fell upon her lap.
Mamma, be comrorted," cried MIL
dred, coming suddenly forward from
where she had been standing unno-
tIced, in the shadow Of the door; 81
have done what you wished me to do
I have got the money for YOU"
Lady Caroline started and turned to-
ward her; so did Sir George.
TO be continuedl