The Grit-advocate., 1903-10-16
l''d GOLD: 'ue''' ~
By J. N. NICHOLSON.

A long; ever since We first
M M played together as chill
l dren. There is nothing |
won't do 10 please you. Surely such
love as mine must win return. You
have always loved to tease me: tell me,
is that why you refuse me now: Oh.
Maggie. say you do not mean il. Say
you will be my wife"
Maggie's face was turned away: she
could not meet those frank, honest,
pleading eyes. She knew he had won
her heart, even when they had played
together as children. She almost yield
ed when she remembered how once
long ago he had defended her from Il
vicious dog with nothing but his bare
hands.
But another thought kept back the
answer for which he was pleading So
hard. He was only Il farmer, and
though he was rapidly becoming pros
porous. she could only hope TO be Il
farmers wife. But as the wife Of Gil
bert Downs, the judges nephew. she
w0uId have wealth and social position.
And she felt sure she was not mis-
taken in thinking he wished to marry
ber.
Erred, do mean it. l cannot marry
you"
maggie, is it because you do not
love me?''
There was no answer.
you do love me: you will not say
you do not. Is it because l cannot give
YOU wealth: Is that why you refuse
meT'
"Is 1t pleasant to expect to be poor
all ones life? A man may make his
position in life by work, n woman
must make hers by marriage
Can you be satisfied with wealth
instead of love? But even if you can,
you may find you are making mis-
take .2
'.In what way:'
You expect to marry Gilbert Downs.
but l have heard he is engaged TO Il
lady in the city"
Indeed! How do you know what l
that what l expect or what ! may do
is none of your business
A few days later Gilbert found his
opportunity and it occurred very near
the place where she had refused Fred.
"It is too bad you should be buried
out here on farm. Will you let me
give you the place in the world your
beauty has fitted YOU for? BE my
wife. Maggie, and do not waste your
life here
Not word of love. But then she
did not care for love. But she did
remember the words she had heard in
this place so recently. Again the
thought of the small boy and vicious
dog had weight in framing her an
swer.
How about that girl in the city,:
Il do not love her. My father wished
me to marry her. She will be glad to
let me GO
What will your father say:
Il expect he will be mad at first. but
he will do the proper thing when he
finds we are married.
do you expect me to marry You In
oppOsition to the wishes Of your family,
and knowing you to be engaged to an
othcr?"
"Shc will not care; there is no love
between us. Ny father has never re-
fused me anything. | can talk him
over
Neither is there any love between
us. Whatever you may do with your
father. YOU cannot talk me over. Mr..
Downs, / will not marry you. i will
not marry Il man | cannot respect
When alone in her room she burst
into tears. What had she done: Re
fused the man she had loved all her
life. hoping to marry one more wealthy,
and now through very disgust she
had refused him. Could she hope to
ever win Fred back: What would she
have given now for Il chance to an
swer him again.
team was daShing down the road
In . wild run, the buggy behind them
swaying from side to side ready TO be
overturned at every step. Maggie sat
crouched down in The front, holding
on with all her strength.
Fred saw the team coming. and sue
ceeded in catching the bit Of one OF
the horses Their speed was checked.
hut before they stopped they left the
track, turned by his weight. and ran
into fence. Fred was between the
team and fence, and was badly hurt.