Middletown transcript., 1903-10-10


Addie amended, in regretful tone.
have given you the right to say all this
Mr.. Chesteron, by accepting hundred
year from you. But could not avoid it
/ was driven to it.
Then why did you not explain matters
Could you not have trusted me?
No--I did what | was obliged to do
How hated doing it you would hardly
realize. | accepted the allowance for the
sake OF my mother and sister; but an
now working harder than ever. Car
you guess why? intend to repay every
penny | have taken from you!
Aldwyth took her hand roughly, dis
regarding her frown.
| You shall do nothing of the sort he
declared authoritatively. forbid it! II
you do not discard that senseless idea
and listen to reason, shall act as l think
best.
What do you mean? asked the girl, en-.
deavoring to free her hand.
| will wait on your mother, either to-
night or tomorrow, and tell her the
whole story.
You will not!
| most assuredly will!
/ Oh, hate you! Addie exclaimed.
Haven't | enough to bear without your
coming here and making matters worse?
Far too much, and intend to tighten
your burdens.
wish you would leave me alone. She
spoke pleadingly, and looked at him with
weary eyes. Grant me one favor, Mr..
Ghesteron-aiiow me 10 20 my own way.
Don't interfere, or tell my mother or
sister that Whom they trust SO i'm
plicity-have deceived them, for my poor
mother cannot bear any excitement.
She wants good advice, change of eli
mate, and Aldwyth began.
1t is not your place to supply them, re-
marked the girl coldly.
think it is.
l say that it is not! That marriage
was mere accident. 1t gives US neither
claim nor authority over each other, aud
consequently no right OF interference.
Go out Of my life again, Mr.. Chesteron;
will think of you gratefully, and, as
soon as | have repaid you what have
had, then we can respect each other
again.
You have fearfully exaggerated ideas,
Chesteron asserted vexedly. He was de-
termined that she should give in, but it
seemed likely that the struggle would be
protracted one. What reason have we
had to cease respecting each other?
You despised me when | said | would
take that money, returned sharply. |
saw it in your face. And you were right
to do SO. As rule it is despicable to
accept anything from those on whom we
have no claim, and--you did not under
stand.
And you did not enlighten me. Think
you misunderstood my expression that
day. | was surprised because the sum
seemed such a ridiculously small one.
As for despising you
If you told me every day for hun
dred years that you did not despise me,
l should not believe you!
Then what have done that you should
despise me? Aldwyth queried.
| do not! But surely you can under
stand the feeling Of being under an obli-
CATION to a person from whom, Of all
others, one would rather take nothing!
You are candid.
speak the truth.
But | am afraid whether you dislike
me or not-you must give way in this.
am determined, and you know that !
have the power to enforce my determin-
alton.
What is it that you wish-that you
command?
| insist that you inform your mother
and sister Of our marriage, and that you
accept suitable income.
| absolutely refuse to do either one or
the other!
Then | must compel you.
You can't! Mr.. Chesteron, do you
know what the end will be if you pursue
your intention? You will drive me to
tell them-yes. But do you suppose that
either my mother or Monica, to benefit
themselves, would do anything to make
me miserable? We should give up this
sum which you think SO paltry, but which
means SO much to US just now-we should
give it up and work night and day to re-
pay you, and-it would kill my mother
l don't think she would be so blind to
her daughters interests.
You don't know her. She would never
take penny from you-nsither would |
for myself. | have done SO for the sake
OF my mother and Monica.
Then, for their sakes, give way again.
1t is in your power to make your sisters
life bright and pleasant one, and to
provide your mother with all she needs.
If you had married me OF your own free
will, you would not have refused to allow
me to assist them.
'If," Addie repeated. That one word
is the keynote did not marry you Of
my own free will.
Then you acknowledge that had you
done so-and I had loved you and you
me-you would not have refused?
Yes. From those one loves one can
receive without humiliation or regret,
the girl answered dreamily.
Then must make you love me.
You must be mad!