The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-22

you be married TO him here? Quite lately
an old great-uncle of ours has eied and left
Maurice all his money, a comfortable pro-
vision for him-about a TnOusr+a 70
I say this in case any of your relations
may object TO the marriage on the ground
of his being unable to provide for you.
81 feel L owe you some reparation for my
opposition 10 your engagement. At the
time 1 thought il so hopeless, as Maurice
had his way yet to make. But you viii
forgive me for his sake if you love him
still-and who that once loved Maurice can
ever cease to love him2-and let me give
you a sisters welcome. II you can come
will you do so as soon as possible and will
you cable to me Coming -just that one
word? Believe me. dear sister. you shall
not regret your choice. For Maurice's sake,
your loving friend,
ISABEL MERTON"
Una's reply to this letter was TO put on
her hat and go direct TO the telegraph
office. Her message was the one word
Coming
Then she went back to the hotel, saw her
aunt. told her what had happened and what
her decision was.
The old lady was very indignant.
eco out TO Calcutta 10 be married TO a
blind man who had Tilted youi' she cried.
And Una spent her strength in vain in
trying to convince her aunt that she could
not in Justice to her betrothed act other
wise.
Let him come home to you. What is to
prevent that?' she cried.
But Una was firm. She felt that the only
PREPARATION she could make TO Maurice Tor
her mistrust Of him was to so TO him as
quickly as possible.
And. auntie. 1 cannot meet DIR. Brand
reth again. He DurDosely left me under a
false impression. 1t would have been so
easy for him TO undeceive me. 1 see that
il is hopeless for me TO try 10 shake your
faith in him. But L could never bear TO
see or speak to him again. He has de-
uberately tried TO ruin Maurice's life and
mine"
what nonsense you are talking Una.
Why should ne. a perfect stranger TO you.
have wished to come between you and this
unworthy young mani"
There was no changing the old lady's be-
lief in the man for whom she had such an
infatuation. She parted coldly from her
niece. who went up to London 10 stay with
a friend for the day or two that must pass
before she could start for India, and Una
never saw her again.
Refo-e a month had passed Una had
landed in Calcutta. Isabel Merton met her
and brought her TO her home, and there IN
the full happiness Of unfailing love she
was reunited 10 her betrothed.
Feeble and changed he was indeed. and
the sight OF those dsrkened eyes that
would never again behold her face made
the girls heart overflow in sorrow; but as
he drew her to his breast and folded her
in his arms once more she felt that tho
anguish she had suffered was more than
COMPENSATED by the promise that life row
held for her and him.
.'Unal Una! The only one. Who else
would have done this for me2"
My darling. II you only knew what you
have to forgive!'
Miss Beresford never forgave Una for
acting In a way she considered unbecom-
ing her birth and the traditions OF her fam
lily. When she died a few months later II
was found that she had made a new viii
by which she had left all her fortune 10
Ralph Brandreth. He was away In South
Africa when the news came, for he had
sold his estate and volunteered for med
ical service in the Boer war. When he&
was struck down by the dread enteric he
made a viii leaving ali that he possessed
10 Una Heseltine. and he requested that
all his letters and papers should be sent 10
her. They were few enough. A note or
two which she had written 20 him for her
aunt when they were All In Devonshire.
and the photograph OF herself, on which
Mas written In the scrawl OF a dying hands
For love OF whom 1 greatly sinned."
I copyright. 1901