Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-16

have made him her own for life. but 1
cannot help you. wealth. honor, rank.
omce-all will be won by yourself. for your
self. We women can only look on. There
Is a great future before you. And ! shall
sit aud watch and thank God; yes, oliver.
thank God all my life for you and for your
success"
she released his hand; he saw the tears
rise to her eyes and roll down her cheek.
He stood before her too deeply moved A.
speech, too deeply moved even 70 kiss her
hand. Al length he found words.
Madam, remember what / owe you.
Think what you have done for me. Could
I do anything. think Of anything, while
there was a service left undone for your
Nay. but you make too much OF a simple
act" She dried her tears, oliver" she
said. there Is one thing that / must do for
you. "ohi one thing l must do-and that
tonight-immediately."
What is that madam"
at is the thing that is dearest in your
thoughts and lies nearest to your heart
Oh! oliver, you have preserved my reputa-
ton. Indeed, l think you cannot know how
great a thing you have done for me. Ny
shiny g~rievous sin-found me out and
followed me even to this place when I
thought myself secure. l was threatened,
you know. Those who threatened me were
ruthless. They wanted to rob me Of all and
to tear from me my good name. Alasl
Heaven knows that l had deserved all-all
all. But you, best Of friends-you saved
mel oliver! once more-what is the
thought that is nearest to your hearth"
Madam" he stammered, what should
It be by my ambition and my hopes"
II do not mean your ambition: l said
your heart, oliver, not your head"
"Can Il be other than the continuance OF
your friendship and my service7"
THAT Is still your head. / said your
heart, oliver. your heart. Answer me faith
fully, my brother"
Madam, what am l to say1 You know
not what you ask"
"You think so? You shall see. Tell Alice
that l would speak to her. Will you ring
the bell? He pulled the bell rope.
Child" said Isabel. when Alice APP
peared, I'VE want your help. No one can
put 1t right except yourself. Perhaps you
know. l have asked oliver to tell me what
is nearest to his heart. He seems unable
to reply. Will you help him7"
The girl crimsoned and then turned pale.
Madam" she said, how can l know Mr..
M~acnamara's hearth"
Little hypocrite-how badly you play
that part. Why, child, you were never
made for an actress. Look at this man;
he has no words OF reply to a simple
question. Well, there is no one who knows
divers heart better than you yourself.
For you have betrayed yourself. 1t was on
the night OF the thunderstorm. 1 was
sitting here, and voIces-your voices
came up to my window from the garden.
Alice, my dear, they were the voices Of
you and oliver. / heard what you were
saying. Shall l recall those words?"
"No-no-no, madam"
'"Then, Alice, you must help me. I have
asked oliver to tell me what is nearest to
his heart. He seems unable to reply. This
eloquent lawyer can move a Jury, but he
cannot move himself. VIII you help him?"
The girl crimsoned, and then turned pale.
Madam" she stammered, and then, like
her lover, she remained silent.
II am a woman, Alice. Therefore, / have
eyes to see. / am not like those foolish
men who see nothing and understand moth
ing. Do you believe that l have not OBJ
served certain looks-of the kind, called
betraying looks-in divers eyes? Do you
r believe that 1 have forgotten those words
All. Alice. for loyalty and love. where Is
thy equal II 1t be not thy lover? Tell me,
} honestly, what is nearest to his hearth"
l Then oliver took the girls hand and made
answer.
Madam, let me answer for Alice. / have
l ventured to love this maiden"
. "Why-therel Therei Alice, do you hear
I He repeats what he told you in the garden.
. But I forbid you to repeat what you said!'
Q Madam"
l He dares to say that he loves you. why,
a Alice. your lover has consigned your father
d to a debtors prison. Can you forgive him 7
He will be a prisoner for life. We shall
c not, to be sure, starve him--but-can you
forgive himT"
5 Madam, my father is-whRt you know.
9 oliver could not commit an act that was
cruel or unjust or anything but right and
T honorable"
a But consider, wilful girl, oliver has his
name and fame to make. Would you ham
: per him at the outset?".
u Madam, he has done me the honor 10
say that he loves me. l will not hampeS
him. I will let him go free from any
promise. 1t is enough that l have heard
u him say once that he loves me-"
After ALL" said Isabel laughing through
u her tears, you are a pair Of fools. You
. think that you can live on words, vows and
u poetry and promises and hopes. It is like
living on air instead OF mutton chops. Lei
d me advise, let me provide. Alice, my dear
take his hand. Child, you blush and trem.
y bic. see-men have no shame-he take.
II your hand without a thought of trembliKE
You will marry him tomorrow morning, OF
a the day after. when you choose. The soonei
the better. Alice, my dear, Oliver has be,
n come my brother-you are my brother, OH.
yer, are you not7"
Madam, you say So"
y Therefore, Alice, you will be my sister
1t is a tender relation. Child" for Alic,
70 burst into tears and fell at her feet. at
l is duty, 1t is gratitude; " is atonement
For. Oh! my dear, my dear. II my SIN ha
found me out the Lord has granted forgive
" ness. Ali dear Lordl" She elasped he
hands. "In mercy thou remembered no
% past years" 3
10 THE End.)