Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-12-23

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| But the little hand was not withdrawn.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 I
am, all that l 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 bust
ness venture.
! II know it looks like cool presump-
| ton for a man from nowhere in par
ticular to aspire so high, Miss Dysart, "
| he went on in deep undertone that
| she alone could hear. 1.-The prisoner
throws himself unreservedly upon the
mercy of his judge. I'm unworthy of
you In every sense" he said, with that
complete establishment which the
strongest and most INSCRIPTIONS men
feel when in the presence of a pure
and innocent woman, save that I 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 a little hope?''
he urged. will you marry me-
Stella?"
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 a siren
uous air about him, the quiet insistence
OF "masterful man" who will carry
his point in the end, that appeals to
every masterless woman.
Now that the question of questions
was put and demanded an answer, she
was surprised to find that what she
had deemed mere friendly feeling and
interest really deserved a much near
er and dearer name. She found in
her own heart smoldering response
to his appeal which leaped into flame
at his behest.
Quietly he waited for her answer
But still the little head was bent. He
| drew her to him, and caressingly tilted
her chin SO that she must perforce lif,
her eyes to his.
Her face was suffused with rosy
color, and her eyelashes were wet, bu,
surely they we're happy tears, and il
was with smiling lips that she whis.
pered as she nestled to his side
IF you wish it-yes!"
wish it! Oh my darling, my
queen!' he exclaimed, and his lips me-
hers in loves first sweet caress.
| He was in no haste to be gone now
but led her to a tete-a-tete and tool
! his place beside her.
Il am the happiest man in England,
he said fervidly, devouring her with
his eyes. For answer she breathed {
happy sigh.
"Sir Arthur must be told, suppose,
he said tentatively, after an inter.
| change of sweet confessions and con.
| fidences.
"Oh, not yet, please" she pleaded
mot Tor few days. feel so selfish
enjoying all this happiness, when al
this moment poor Rick may be in trou.
BILE or in danger!"
"Counfound your Rick" was Kane's
inward objurgation, but outwardly hi
was all sympathy and interest.
I'VE must find him." he said, il
| quietly confident tones. "He is my
brother now, you know" "A rosy
blush flooded face and forehead al
these words, but timidly seeking his
hand she exclaimed:
IF you want to make me sincerely
happy and leave. no cloud between us
you will find my brother! Then yo,
| may speak to Sir Arthur as soon as
! you like!" nOdding her head vivacious.
| ly.
ut is a bargain" Kane returned, and
| with a farewell caress he took his
leave, elated, happy, triumphant, 8
better man in thought and intention
than he had ever been before.
Mounting his horse, he rode rapidly
through the park to Gatewood, and
found Marcia Churchill at home, by
whom he was graciously received as
whilom acquaintance and now a
near neighbor.
After presenting his invitation to the
coming ball at The Cedars he preached
the second object of his call.
miss Dysart was speaking about hel
| brother Richard this morning." he
said, land she wondered if l had ever
| met him at the Cape I could not re.
call him by name, but asked her for q
photograph. She sent me here, saying
you possessed one taken since he went
abroad. May see it,"
Surely" she said. II will get II
for you"
The abrupt naming of Richards
name by a comparative stranger un-
nerved this usually strong and self
contained nature, and her agitation
was perceived and noted by Rossitel
Kane, who drew his own sapient con-
illusions.
Marcia rose and went to side table
saying the while, to cover her show OF
feeling
Eve were children together, Mr.
Kane, and we all love Richard very
dearly
She returned, bearing in her hand
carte-de-visite, which she gave him
saying simply:
"Here is his latest picture. 1t was
taken in Cape Town,sas you see, nearly
two wears ago"