The evening Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1902-1902, 1902-07-19

you to tell him that Elsie has lost her
fortune and is a poor girl. II he then
proposes, she will accept him and be-
come Lady Bayntoun, confident that
he has married her because he loved
her!''
Sherard sat back in his chair, He
looked ut Elsie.
"You want me to do that?"he said
helplessly.
She nodded.
cts Wis idea, but 1 think it Is a
good one. It's a test anyway, and If
I've got to marry, we'll, I'd rather
marry mau Who loves me for my
self You'll do it, Dick won't
you?'
Sherard glanced at the girls fair
face for a moment. lie was thinking
desperately hard.
Eyes, I'll do it," he said slowly.
."And you Can explain afterwards
that YOU were mistaken-that 1t was
onv a Joke. said Miss Ersllne airly.
She looked up to the clock. "Why,
Elsie, we Shan't be back in time to
dress for dinner. No idea it was so
late!"
Elsie rose hastily. Dick saw them
down to the door.
"Good-bye, Gear old Dick,' said
Elsie. pressing his hand alfectIonate-
ly. "Do it quickly, won't you?'
lie watched them disappear down
the street, then EeJurned to hisstudy
He stood in front CT the fireplace,
lis arms resting on the mantclpiece.
Good Lori, what coincidence! |
wonder what will happel?' he MUIR
INJURED TO himself.
Two days later. having in the
meantime carried Out his Instructions
he met Elsie again. 1t was 5 O'Clock
in the afternoon, ard, returning to
Grover street. he found her waiting
iu his study
IL said | would meet vi here, but
she hasn't co ne YETI she said, "a
she shook hands with him.
II, sat down and looked at her in.
qulrlngly.
"WeIl?' he said'"I did myshare. y
She gave IL little nervous laugh.
IL met him the same afternoon
as you told him. He informed ms
that Sir Michael Evershan absolute y
insisted on his joining their party,
50 he had given u reluctant consent.
l quite underStuod.
There Vas Il pause Sherard stood
up.
"You didn't love him. Elsie, he
began.
She shook her head.
"No. | did ut love him, so it does
not matter" she continued, and
there was i falcr in her voice. "But
it's u little Illuminating to think,
Dick, that no one loves me for myself
only my wretched muney.'
"No one:' lie asked interroga-
lively.
she looked up at him with smile
ndstretched out Il hand impulsiveiy
to him.
COZ conrae. there's always you.
dear old Dick; but that isn't quite
the same thing. You never think OF
me in that way, do your
Sherard sat down beside her.
"Supposlng, Elsie, that l were to
say that did," he began 10 u Slow
voice.
She drew back suddenly, ard shot
a little lri~htenedg!ancs at him. He
stood suddeuly in front Of her.
"E'sie, I'm going to tell yon now
what I've kept to myself these last
tan years. l love you-always have
loved you, dear! I've stood by and
let the younger mea have their
chance. but now they have fai!cl |
cau't hold myself in any longer
ask you-wiil you marry me!
II only want to have you to work
for" he continued.
"You know me through and
through-know what my life is. If
you had loved another man, lshould
never lave spoken. Don't hesitate
to say no." dear, if you feel you
clnnot consent, and if | lose well,
I'm man enough to take it stand
ing
She looked up at his strong face
with swimming eyes.
you loved me all this time AMI
never spoken, DiCk:' She said.
Il didn't think it tair.' he said
between his teeth.
There was pause, andtO thoman
seconds seemed minutes. At last he
heard her voice.
| think it was most unfair-to
met she said softly. Then he felt
her hand touch his. ''Oh, Dick,
dear, this has always beal my real
home let it b. nova"
A load seemed suddenly lifted
from his mind He bent down and
kissal her on the lips.
Presently thu bell rang, and Now
house appeared, showing Miss Frs
kline in. She held a newspaper in
her hand and her young face wore
a serious expression.
Elsie, my dear, isr't Mr.. Van
nick the solicitor who has charge Of
your affairs"
YES" cried Elsie wonderingly.
Why, what's the matter vi"
The girl nnfollel the paper and
pointed to a bold headline.
"A London solicitor absconls.
Huge defalcations feared she cried
out.
Sherari gave start the man with
the gray face had CHOSEN the first
and most easy wall Elsie read a few
lines hurriedly, then swung round on
him.
"Dick, it says he has lost huge
sums through specializing, and that
he has ruined heaps OF people who