The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-08-15

- So aAl&S
"Ho10 came I here ii. this roon19' she
asked aoonde7ingly. = - 49,.
dering why she was so. ''No, 1 cannot
remain here now. There is much for
me to do. Is it-true-is it true that
my father
eyes, Lisle; it is true. l am so sorry
for you"
"Thank you. My father is therein
| his room. must go to him.
mo, Lisle; no-not now. My father
is there. He will do all that can be
done. There is nothing for you to do
at least not now. have sent for a
physician and for minister l thought
you would wish it. l also sent a man
after Craig Thompson-that is, told
my father to send the-m men,"
1T was kind of you to think of it
ALL"
Lisle walked to the window and look
ed out upon the new day, striving hard
to keep down the tears that rose un-
hidden to her eyes. 1t was a struggle,
but she conquered. Presently she turn
ed and retraced her steps to Erna.
"You wish to talk with me?" she
| said. every we'll. After l have seen
him again l will talk with you, but
let us go out into the sunlight. There
is grove of pine trees a little way
from the house. When was child,
helped my father to set them out.
We will go there. Will you come?'
"Yes; wait for me on the porch-or,
no! Remain here until speak to
papa"
She darted away before Lisle could
reply, was gone a moment and return
| ed.
''You may go to the room where your
father u.s." she said. Papa is there.
After that wait for me at the front
door. Then we will go to the grove to-
gether." .-..
Lisle left her to her toilet and went
slowly toward the chamber where re-
posed the still form of Richard Max
well. Mr.. Thomas was there and, two
Of the servants also. They stood re-
specially aside when Isle entered
the room, passed to the bedside and
with folded arms stood for several
moments quietly regarding the silent
sleeper. Bending low, Lisle touched
her lips against the cold, dead face,
then went out from the room, moving
like one who walks in dream.
Fifteen minutes later, beneath the
spreading boughs Of the pines, Lisle
and Erna stood facing each other. s..
what will you do now, Lisle?" ask
ed Erna. ''You cannot remain here
without your father" =
"Why, yes, will remain. There is
nothing else for me to do. am famil-
lar with every detail connected with
the operation Of the ranch. 1t is the
only thing that do know: There is
no place else for me to go. l know
nothing Of the world = your world.
Mine is here; its boundaries are there"
waving her right 'hand-'to the ex-
tent Of my vision; no farther. l think
it was my fathers desire that should
remain here always after be was gone"
ut could not have been so, Lisle. You
did not know what your father knew
concerning you. You do not know
what 1 know. There is secret which
your father kept from you all your life
Why, do not know; nobody knew
nobody but himself-and now he can
not tell it to you. I am sure, Lisle,
that he did not mean to die without
telling it,"
"a secret! My father never had
secret from me-never!'
He had one secret, Lisle.'
How can you know that he had
secret from me? He scarcely spoke to
you" .sS:....
Il discovered it myself. Lisle.''
How? When? Where? What is
the secrety'
II discovered it last night when you
kissed meat least believed did.
After you tainted away, while 1 work
ed over you, I became convinced Of it's
truth. It will startle you when tell
it, Lisle; it will shock you almost as
much as the sudden death Of your ia
ther. I am afraid that it will pain you.
It concerns you; it is about you. Have
Iou ever thought, Lisle, that you are
aOt like other men p
G- Yes, Often" Isle spoke dreamily.
4 have talked ft1over with my father.