The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-12-19

FShe could not be moved by pleading
and, rising suddenly, he went over ant
kneeled beside her. ''Luella! Tell m,
= ehis simply: Do you love me enough
O share the unknown future with me
WIN you not come with me, trusting II
= bur love for each other to bear us owe
lard places and explain new expert
snces as fast as they become real t.
m?'
She trembled and hesitated. She ha(
Sut to reach out her hand and put it IL
aohn Gordon's and say one word. She
hid not move nor speak for almost 6
minute. Then she said. looking straight
"a front Of her:
"Must / give an answer nowT
"Luella, you have already given me
answer! You have promised to be my
wife!" The words were spoken by
him In a moment Of great longing as
he saw her indecision and foresaw heI
inevitable answer.
Her eyes darkened a little.
81 never promised to be the wife
&C.
'sThe wife off, John Gordon re
seated after a silence so long that Its
suspense was not bearable to him.
''I hardly know how to finish She
uttered a short laugh, and John Cor
don rose at once to his feet. 81 can
never live In Hope House." she added
In low tone
els that your answer, then| He
stood looking at her calmly, but she
did not look up.
EYES," she finally replied.
"Then we must go our separate ways,
20 help us Godw he exclaimed in a
sudden burst of passion, for his heart
was hot within him.
He paused moment irresolutely and
then started to go out. She had not
made any motion nor lifted her head
30 look at him. At the door he turned
for an instant and saw, to his astonish-
ment, that her proud head lay on her
arms, which were outstretched on the
table near which she had been sitting.
He was back by her side. kneeling
again and calling her name. When she
lifted her head, there were tears on her
glowing cheeks.
"John, I cannot bear to have it sc"
"Then do you love me, Luella, enough
TO share all with meP he cried
ayes; 1 love you, john" she said
slowly. But even as she said it she
drew back from him little. "At the
same time do not see why it is neces-
sary to live at Hope House"
:Not necessarily there, but some,
where among the people. Luella, do
you not understand my reasons for
wanting to know the people?"
'I am not sure" she replied In a
troubled tone, and then suddenly she
turned away from him and put her
head down on her arms again.
John Gordon rose and walked up and
down the room. Twice as he went
past the table he paused irresolutely,
his mind In turmoil, his heart uncer-
tain. The third time he stopped, with
a decision in his manner. and placed
his hand on her head.
at do not ask you to marry me unless
you can trust everything to me. II
you are not able to say without any
fear or doubt, I will go with you in
all the way you have chosen do not
! cannot, plead with you, Luella. i:
that asking too much, dear? Can the
man who loves you ask any less"
'tNo, no, he can ask no less! But
John, fear to co. She had raised
her head and was looking at him will
more agitation than he had ever known
her to show. 81 am not certain that
am fitted, that am adapted, for sucl
q life. l have horror Of the places
the-I do not love the people, John, al
you say you do. Am I to blame TO
thatY'
She asked the question almost tim
idly, but nothing could soften the hard
ness of the statement to him. He di'
not yet see that the one thing that KEEP
her from coming to him without an
questions was her lack Of religious ex
perience. She did not love the peopl
because all her life had been so ia
devoted to a love Of the things tina
had surrounded her social position.
'sNo, do not think you are to blame
But, oh, Luella, could you not learn
love them? Could you not come wit,
me and let the future
81 could not pretend" she begar
with a return Of her proud attitude.
IT do not ask you to pretend.
you love me. will not all the rest b
poSsible?"
She was silent moment. Then SUE
denly she looked up and said frankly
II would not be true to you If keI
anything back. not only do not Low
the people as you do, but do not sc
why you should sacrifice your life
them. as you plan to do. I cannot sc
that you will accomplish anything"
"And is accomplishment the gres
and only thing? Is there nothing
being or in striving regardless Of a.
complishment? But l cannot argu
, the matter. If you love me enough
Luella. all the rest will follow; If 20
don't, it will all be useless to you"
She still looked at him with the III
certain, disturbed air that had marke
her manner when he first began to tai
20 her, only the look had deepened II
TO an expression Of doubt and paint
Rnsest,
81 do not see the need Of all you pla
TO do. I do not see the need" she sal
slowly.
you would not have to see that
you only loved me-" he replied in 10y
tone. and there was a hopelessness |
It that had not been present befor'
He stood looking at her, and suddenl
he added:
'Let us be entirely frank, Luells
that we may not misunderstood. 70
shrink from the thought Of living In
place like Hope House; you hesitate I