The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-12-17

QAAoC OiAClIAS LIS udliu, WHICH Iuc Gull
prit gripped with fierce tenacity, q
great gulp in his throat the while Ir
his bruised and beaten state of nina
the cool nOnchalance and semi-genial-
1ty of the others manner was like a
pat on the head to pariah dog that
has been uniformly kicked and cuffed
all around camp.
81 received your letter about the
money" said Dysart, "and I'm bound
to say that you've tried to do the hand
some thing, as I told Sir Arthur.
can't quite make it out, Kane. By
rights, I suppose 1 ought to hate you.
and all that sort of thing, don't you
know, but for the life Of me I'm not
able!" and the speaker gave a dissat-
isfied sort of chuckle. 'Perhaps it's the
life out yonder; one gets used to giving
and taking hard knocks and running
all sorts of risks. It's part of the
great game. won't say but what if
I'd come up with you at the Cape
there'd been a lively sort of reckoning
, between us; but somehow I can't call
you down here at home when we've
eaten each others salt and been such
uncommonly good friends
He paused and pulled his cigar, as
If to give Kane chance to speak, but
all the latter's old audacity had de-
serted him, and he paced slowly back
and forth by Kicks side, his gaze
clouded and his brain dulled.
perhaps it's on account of Stella"
Dysart went on musingly, as if loath
to cease wondering at his own pacific
state of mind. "She's hard hit. Kane
worse than any Of us, I'm afraid.
What's to be done?" stopping short in
his walk and facing him.
Kane groaned and staggered, and
would have fallen but for the help of
friendly tree trunk, against which
he leaned his hand heavily in an ex-
cess of bodily weakness and mental
abandon.
Il won't insult you by asking if you
love her, Rick went on. Its plain
to be seen the little woman loves you
with all her heart and soul"
"Do not keep her from me-" burst
II have no right to ask it. l know,
but if I do not see her it will kill us
BOTH"
''Thats about it, I imagine" said
Rick, sententiously. I'm up the same
tree myself" he continued with a con-
scious laugh, land I know how it
would feel''
"Of course, l relinquish all claim to
her. said Kane. II know that's hope
less after what has happened, but"
''Now, look here, Kane" interrupt
ed Rick, I'll undertake to square Sir
Arthur, and seeing that I'm the in
jured party fancy he won't have much
to say. Suppose Stella agrees to marry
youth view of the facts you won't
want to live in England?"
The world is wide," answered Kane,
raising his head, a CLEAN of hope new
born in his eyes. 81 dare not ask you
to be my friend, but I do ask you to
trust me! l have had bitter lesson,
and I have paid dearly for my crime"
Like most healthy and sane English
speaking men, Richard Dysart hated
| heroics or anything approaching a
scene. So he simply clapped the other
On the shoulder and said bluf11y:
"That's all right, old man. Good-by
and good luck! Wait here and III
send Stella to talk to you." And
whistling to his dogs, who had been
| nuZZling each other by the old lyCh-
gate, Rick strobe away into the fast
gathering dusk.
Soon Kane saw the little cloaked and
hooded figure approaching through the
private woodland path that led from
the DenecrOft domain. Slowly she
came towards him, her veil down, nor
would he seem to presume or PREJUDICE
her attitude by advancing to meet her.
| Bitter sorrow and vain regret had
set their seal upon his finely chiseled
| features, while affection unutterable
and unspeakable cleaned in his eyes.
With an inarticulate CRY she tottered
into his arms; shaking with sobs, her
head sunk on his breast
With selt-accusing words he strove
10 sOothe her. putting back the re-
! bellious tendrils Of hair that fringed
! her temples. BY degrees he Gained
her agitation. and poured balm into
! her aching heart. He toid nor anew
Of his Unlying love- an1 thai it was
because Of this ennobiina passion he
had schOclod himself to the confession
: which had raised uD 4 WCll-ni2h i'm
0assaLlo barrier between them.
III had not loved yuu 50 we'll, DEAR
est, he concluded. y could not have
brought myself 10 face il.
And now love YOU ali lhe better"
! She exclaimed. sIIilr- upon him
! proudly through her )e2rs. Y our
, noble heart vas revealed 10 no them
You must forget me, Stella" he
! urged, trying to put Ecr away from
d him.
! 'Never:' she asserted, nesting the
closer to his side
But I leave England al once" he
! insisted.
! Then YOU must take me with YOU -