Mower County transcript., 1903-12-30

that morning u SGT purpose to propose
to the girl, but the conversation was
taking turn that he had not foreseen,
and one which might or might not
form propitious prelude to what he
wanted to say. . =.
IL However, he was not the man to
shrink from slight obstacle, and to
leave Denecroft without having spoken
his rede would seem too much like
repulse or defeat. So Undetermined
to make it now or never But he must
not be too precipitate. s. i, rs HI
Despite his supreme confidence in his
lucky star, Kane knew perfectly well
that in thus raising his eyes to an al
lance with an English girl Of rank and
fortune the chances were dead against
him. A year ago the world did not
know his name. = Had they met two
years ago he shuddered. to think of
what their relative positions would
have been. He knew very well that it
was his wealth alone which now en-
abled him to meet her on even terms,
and he realized clearly that unless he
could impress his personality and his
manhood upon her, mere money would
profit him nothing. s-' ~, ,:
Could he make himself Indispensable
to this gentle and high-born English
maiden-he, the erstwhile adventurer
and outcast? At least, he could try!
1t should be the fight of his life! If
the way to Stella's heart lay through
her regard for the absent and long-lost
brother, why, Rossiter Kane could be
counted upon to play the sympathetic
part desired. So he deftly took up his
cue, saying in answer to her last
words:
ITO say that l am highly honored
by your confidence but family ex-
presses my sentiments, Miss Dysart.
Indeed, I am glad you confided in me,
for it shows you do not regard me as
an utter outlander."
He paused, and her eyes met his ar
dent gaze. In that moment, in that
glance, the whole of life was changed
for these two.
With woman-like intuition she di-
vined his drift, and although up to
that time she had not distinctly real
lied his passionate admiration of her,
or that she was being wooed, the in
.stant's discovery of it was, if anything,
pleasurable rather than otherwise.
But she did not-could not-reply, and
Kane took up the burden of his tale
Forgive me if speak of myself"
he said. "My life has been a rough
one, and I have had neither the leisure
nor the desire. for the society of wom-
en-until lately-until I met you.
Then newer and sweeter hopes arose.
From the very first moment l loved
you with all the strength of my man
hood, and determined, if I might to
win the priceless treasure of your
love-
He advanced pace, and took her
,unreststing hand in his. 1t was char
acteristic of the man that at this crisis
he INDUCED in no special pleading, but
went straight to the point. -
Stella's golden head sunk lower and
lower, until he could not see her face.
But the little hand was not withdrawn.
Bending over her he went on:
Miss Dysart," he said, "all that
am. all that I hope to be, all that l
have, l lay at your feet, but they can
not outweigh my love. Will you be
my wife?"
There was no answer. She stood be-
fore him, nervously clasping and un-
clasping her fingers, her head with its
aureole OF sunny hair SO dropped that
her face was hid from view. Kane
could not see her eyes-a glance into
their depths would perchance have ap-
prised him how to proceed, but he was
forced to 'go it blind" as he would
have said concerning some mere busi-
ness venture
81 know it looks like cool presump-
tion for a man from nowhere in par
ticular to aspire 50 high, Miss Dysart," :"
he went on in deep undertone that
she alone could hear. "The prisoner
throws himself unreservedly upon the
mercy of his judge. I'm unworthy of
you in every sense" he said, with that
complete self-abasement which the
strongest and most unscrupulous men
feel when in the presence of a pure
and innocent woman, ''save that love
you, and you alone. never said that
to a girl before he, continued, as if
the thought had just occurred to him
that perhaps she might be hesitating
for fear that man of his years was
not as heart-free as he was foot-free
Cannot you give me little hope?"
he urged. "Wil you marry ;. me.
Stella?' .r,.'
Stella Dysart was no mere chit of a
girl in her. teens. Men had made love
to her, and even proposed to her, be-
fore this, but never the right man.
From the first she had been interested
in Rossiter Kane. There was. siren
uous air about him, the quiet insistence
Of ''masterful man. who will. carry
q