The Iola register., 1901-04-19

care; and l did not, until you came.
But did then. And that is why cried.
Somehow, I felt that in spite of all at
stake, it ought not to have happened
this way"
"I understand. But in my estimation,
my child, you have sacrificed nothing"
"You did not think so-but-but-"
He took up the thought.
"But you are grieved because you
are saying: Now here is gentleman
who, have suddenly discovered,
wish to respect me for myself, and as
a refined modest girl; and what must
he think of one who is willing to be
locked up here in a room with him all
nightl' the girl caught her breath
and half rose from her chair" and for
whatP l cannot even tell him. l am
bound not to tell him. must sit by
and see him sacrifice himself 20 friend
shipi'"
"Oh, sir, do you think" She bent
forward suddenly and, hiding her face
in her hands, rested them upon his
knees. He placed his own hand lightly
upon her head and wondered If IL were
treason to have discovered that her
hair was mass of curls and clustering
ringlets.
"That is only what you were saying
to yourself, not what l am thinking.
When called you child absolved you
from all the crimes of womanhood.
There are many actions that flow nat
urally from childish hearts which carry
| ell s-b Aat- - ;r,r nr1o ty-s
and yet a woman may not copy them.
So in this, my young friend
"Ah, you do not say my child now!"
"No, you have passed into woman
hood with the consciousness of this
error. say error, because 1t is sit
uation that you should not have been
placed in-no, not TO save human life
not even TO save your own; for the
unscarred whiteness Of a woman's soul
is the priceless pearl of eternity, and
not to be staked on earth. But the
thought behind II all was not your own.
You yielded under the pressure of
fear and advice. Your objections were
overcome, and you obeyed ar elder per-
son in whom you had implicit conf
dence. That is ALL and understand" !"
''Then they did not tell you about
mel" she whispered, breathlessly.
mo; you have told me all that know
der, modest, true and pure; and were
you my wife in truth, would not be
ashamed to tell this story TO the world
myself and own you as such after"
The words fell from his lips so tender
ly, 80 kindly, she took his hand in both
of hers, and laid her face upon it, cry
ing silently.
1.-THE blame Of IL all is on our friend
the DOCTOR" he continued, deeply
touched, and his voice little unsteady
what a tumultuous, headlong. hurri.
cane sort of fellow he is! There is no
blame for you; for look, if | am here
how could you have resisted him? And
it is only his judgment that was al
fault, after all-only his Judgment
Why, a truer heart never beat than
Brodnar's."
would it offend you if l ask ques
tion?" She had waited for composure
and now did not lift her head.
"Why, no, of course"
you are right sureY'
Fright sure"
"Then, how could any gentleman
consent to be placed in such position
as yours? You must have known how
embarrassing IL was to be for me-" His
first inclination was to whistle out his
astonishment, but he restrained him.
self.
1ouforget, my child see you have
backslided into childhood-you forget
that in the iirst place 1 was appealed tc
in behalf of woman and no gentleman
may resist that. And then had no rea
son to suspect that was to marry {
girl. 1t might have been an expert
enced widow. Indeed"
But you are glad it wasn't, are you
not?" she asked, anxiously.
"Yes. my child"
Does my question then indicate thai
] am child9"
"Yes, my child"
II don't see why"
Because you are still--a child" She
was not satisfied.
MIR. Somers, l want You TO thinl
well of me always, and the thought tha
may meet you sometime doesn't EN-
barrass me now. 1t would not embar
rass me If did meet you-even II
should meet you tomorrow. But visl
you 10 know all about me, and I am go
ing TO tell you everything from the be
ginning"
mo, indeed, you shall not" he said
quickly. She lifted her head, startled
why motif I choosaP / am no
afraid to trust you"
mol NO, Miss Frances."
"Ah, ! am Q woman Againi"
"Yes, q woman OF . charm so swse
and heart SO true that Richard Som
ers must arm himself. Not your honor
but mine, the honor Of your husband
Is at stake, and you promised to regar,
that siways."
And / shall, sir; only tell me how.
why, ] have promised my friend no
20 seek TO find out, or permit anyon
TO tell me anything about you. Una
not let even you inform me. You mus
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