Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-03-08

OUT the fires YOU kindled in her
heart z If you we're 81 81 sh4 might.
do So. but seeing the man oHe loves.
IN const ant misery is enough to kill:
any organization as sensitive and del!
icate as Blanche's. If She could only
see you once q day and feel that you
look upon her. as friend she would
not suffer 30, but you are always
away" H.. 4. e.. &E.@$@ ss,'@
II thank you for--for speaking 80
plainly and showing me my duty"
'stammered Goddard II have been.
very selfish" o. ,s.. ~.
He was about to make reference
to the dread malady which was laying
siege to the life of his ward, but, re-
membering his promise to Jeanne not
to speak of it, and fearing Miss Deans
indiscretion, he held his tongue on
that point.
':Could I see her now, do you
think?" he added, contritely.
Eyes; let me send her down to you"
said Miss Dean, impulsively.
II shall wait here he said. And as
Miss Dean left the room he decided no
longer to try to stem the tide which
seemed bearing him, he knew not
whittier. He walked the floor till
Blanche came. Her sweet young face
showed the ravages OF a tortured spirit.
but it now shone with light of antici-
patton.
Ibid you want to see me, guardian?"
As she spoke, she held out her hands:
He took them and stood for moment
gravely looking into her eyes.
you have been unhappy, Blanche ?"
he said
"How could I be otherwise, and
you" her voice failed her and she
coughed to disclaim that it was due
to rising emotion.
II know / have not done my duty"
he said. "But 1 want to begin.
Blanche, would you like to have me
stay more at home than have since
since Jeanne went away"
''Oh, wish you would" she an
swered, quickly. "You can't imagine
howl have worried. You know could
not tell what might have happened
to you"
"Blanche." He felt something grasp
his heart as he hesitated. It may have
been the hand of his conscience-the
| revolving of his better nature. Then
something like the worst form of his
! recent despair seemed to settle on his
brain. He felt that he was cropping
towards the accomplishment of an un-
pardonable deed.
blanche. if were to ask YOU to be
! my wife, would you consent-could
you, knowing how l feel about the
! the other?''
He felt her soft warm hands grasp
his tightly. For a moment she stood
,, with eyes downcast, then she looked
up and said frankly:
IF you wished it should be so glad,
for something tells me could then
help you, and to do that is what am
certainly praying for"
"Would you consent to an early mar
riage?'' y
Il should want to do as you liked
about it,
would you not care for what peo-
pie would say about our haste in such
a matter?" -
| II should not care at ALL" She was
breathing rapidly. II should feel that
was acting right"
He hesitated moment; then he
said:
Twill you marry me tomorrow? Rev.
Mr.. Strothers lives about mile from
here, along the river. Talley can first
see him and make the arrangements.
Will you drive there in the morning
and become my wife?"
IF it is your wish, yes"
He drew her head towards him and
| for moment it rested on his shoulder
For an instant memory of his court
! ship OF her during her school days
flashed into his mind and he expert
enced one of the old thrills which had
made him feel so much like boy again.
Then he put her from him.
BE ready, then, by II o'clock" he
said. II shall speak to Talley at
| once"
| When she had left the room, a
strange, glorious light in her young
face, he began again to walk the floor.
He was tingling in every vein. His
heart had begun to beat excitedly. He
tried to think of Jeanne, the awful
| disease which was eating Blanche's
life away, but he could only feel the
pressure of his wards hands, the
| warmth of her breath on his face, the
| depth of her great, trustful eyes.
"Great God! what can this mean?"
he exclaimed.
He continued to walk back and forth
| across the room for half an hour, then
he stopped suddenly and rang.
James obeyed the summons.
where is Mr.. Talley?" he asked.
In the study, at work. sir" James
saluted in military fashion.
THAT is ALL" The major went to
the study, where he found his private
secretary at work at typewriter.
"Talley." he began, you wanted to
see me yesterday, believer"
81 did, major. believe the amount
you were keeping for me is exactly
| es nn09ss