The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-04-02

to her, but was too much preoccu.
pied with my thoughts to resent this
inciyility, and l made the most of it
by taking comfortable seat in the
waiting room. This room opened right
of the front parlor, and just back Of
that was the library.
| For some time I remained seated
| there busiiy occupied with my own
thoughts, but as time passed l became
/, restless and anxious to make change.
Not hearing any voices, | rose from
my seat and walked quietly into the
parlor to look at some Of the beautiful
pictures hanging on the walls. This
liberty, knew. Miss Stetson would
not resent.
AS l stepped into the parlor 1 heard
the sound of voices proceeding from
the library. would have retreated to
the waiting room if the voice of DR..
Squires had not arrested my attention.
could not resist the temptation to lis
ten to him, for knowing what he was,
thought anything was fair enough
for him. and played the eavesdrop-
per.
The portieres between the parlor and
library We're drawn, and through their
thick folds could just catch the words
of the two. The first words of the
doctor Informed me that l had reached
the place at critical moment.
miss Belle, you do me injustice to
say that l do not like pleasant sur.
roundings and that am not like other
men in my tastes. No man appreciates
home more than do"
Il did not mean to insinuate that,
doctor" Miss Stetson replied. II mere.
~ said that thought it 80 strange
you should like to live in that old de-
serted, haunted mansion"
81 do not like to live there. It was
not matter Of choice with me. was
poor and had to in order to carry out
my experiments"
But couldn't you ind more congen-
ial quarters without going to any more
expenseY'
"No-that is, none that would suit
my purpose"
There was short pause, then the
doctor continued:
But, Miss Belle, my time in the old
haunted mansion Is short. I'm going
to leave it. My fortune has improved,
and shall seek better quarters"
HAS your discovery proved success
full so that you can realize some money
on it?' she asked eagerly.
mo, not exactly that" be STAN.
mered. But have been fortunate
in another way. A distant relative
has died and left his money to me. 1t
is not much, but enough to keep me
in comfort for the balance of my life.
1t will amount to about $1OOOOO."
Indeed! I'm so glad to hear it, doc
tor. Nobody will congratulate you more
heartily than l, for think you deserve
it."
1T is kind of you to say it, he said
slowly, "but there is one other thing
necessary to complete my happiness"
Another pause followed in which l
could imagine their exchange of looks.
II would not mention this, Miss
Belle, if l did not have your own word
for it that you would never marry
Gfiashs" the dbef5s began again n a
labored voice "But when you told me
that You would not marry him I
thought that there was no longer any
Ses~son why l should curb my own love
for you. Miss Belle, loved you before
that, and l love you now. I am nc
longer poor; Pm not rich, but I'll have
competency enough for both of us.
love you, and your love alone will make
me happy"
l trembled more than the doctor tc
catch the reply.
Please don't talk to me like that
| DOCTOR" she said in voice that had Il
piteous ring to it. "It is impossible"
"Why impossible? Nothing is impos
sible," he answered fiercely. "I've
learned to believe that anything can be
accomplished if we but will it. Why
can you not love me and marry me?"
You do not understand, doctor
Please do not mention it again. 1t is
very-hard for me to say this"
"But will you not give me your rea
sons?" he continued passionately. "Yor
will not marry Charles?"
mo, never"
"Not even if cure him of every
taint of leprosy?"
mo; would be afraid to. I would
! forever think of it-dread it-believe
| that it would show itself again in OH