The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-06-03
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WIN n SHlllt.
Shcrard's grip frightened on his chair.
He knew very well that the remark
was only meant in a sistcrly way, but
IL stirred his blood,
"She thinks she could love him pres
cntly-if he loved her" put in Miss
Erskinc. "But, like all disagreeabIc
people with money, she thinks he may
only be wanting TO marry her for her
wealth. So she wishes to try him. and
we want your help"
"My help?" hc echoed
Eyes It's just the old idca-I thought
Of it," said Miss Ersknc, helping her
self TO another piece Of cake. 1--WE
know you often meet Hugh Bayntoun
at your club; we want you 10 tell him
that Elsie has lost her fortune and Is n
poor girl If he then proposes She will
accept him and become Mrs. Bayn-
toun. confident that he has married her
because he loved her."
DR.. Shcrard sat back In his chair
He looked at Elsie.
"You want me to do thatW he said,
helplcssly. ss,,f .ya
She nodded
"Its vrs idea, but thinE II n good
one. It's n test, anyway, and II I've
got to marry, well, I'd rather marry a
man who loves me for myself. You'll
do it, Dick, won't you"
Shcrard glanced at the girls fair face
for n moment. IIcwas in deep thought.
Eyes. I'll do itw he said, slowly.
"And you can explain aftcrward that
YOU were mistakcn--th that IL was only n
Joke" said Miss Erskinc, airily. She
looked up at the clock. "Why, Elsie,
we shan't be back In time to dress for
dinner. No idea It was so late"
elsie rose hastily. Dick saw them
down to the door.
Good bye. dear old Dick" said El.
sic, pressing his hand affcctlonatcly.
"Do il quickly, won't your
He watched them disappear down
the street, then returned to his study.
He stood In front of the fireplace, his
arms resting on the mantcl.
Good Lord, what coincidence! !
wonder what will happcn?" he mur-
INJURED TO himself.
Two days later, having in the mean
tIme carried out his instructions, he
met Elsie again. II was 3 o'clock In
the afternoon. and, returning TO his
residence, he found her waiting in his
study.
IL said would meet vi here, but she
hasn't come yet" she said, as she
shook hnnds with him.
He sat down and looked ut her in.
quiringly.
"Wcll?" he said 81 did my share"
She gave little nervous laugh.
81 met him the same afternoon rs
YOU told him. He Informed me that
Gabricl Evcsham absolutely insisted
! on his Joining their hunting party, so
he had given reluctant consent
! quite understood"
There was pause. Shcrard stood
! up.
You didn't love him, Elsie?' he be
gan. ....,..4.,
She shook her head.
mo. | didn't love him. so IL dOCsn''
matter" she continued, and there was
a little faltcr in her voice. "Rut It's q
little humiliating TO think, Dick. tha
no one loves me FOR mysclf-only fol
my wrctchcd money
"No onc?" he said. intorrogativCly.
She looked up at him with 4 smile
and stretched out hand impulsivelI
to him.
"Of course, there's always you, dca
old Dick. but that isn't quite the SAINT
thing. You never think of me In tha
way. do you?"
DIR. Sherard sat down beside her
"Supposing. Elsie, that | were To sa,
that | didT" he began, In slow voice
She drew back suddenly and shot
little frightened glance at him. Ii
stood up suddenly in front of her.
Elsie, I'm going 90 tell you nov
what I've kept Co myself these last tc
years. love you-always have love
YOU. dear. I've stood 10y and let IN
Younger men have their chance. bu
now that they have failed | can't hol
myself In any longer. l ask you-wi
you marry me?
, 81 only want 30 have you to wor
, for" he continued. You know m
through and through-kuow what m
, life is. II you had loved another ma
should never have spoken. Don
p | hesitate 10 say no. dear. If YOU fe
/ YOU cannot consent. I'm only takir
my chance. and jf lose-wcll. I'm ma
!. enough TO accept my fate manfully.'
g She looked up az his strong face wi
/. swimming eyes.
: You've loved me all this time al
n never spoken. Dick;' she said
q IL didn't think il fair" he said. L
tween his teeth.
]. There was n pause. and TO the mn
the seconds seemed minutes. At Ia
10 he heard her voice.
To- Il think il was most unfair-to me
IS she said. softly Then he felt her ha
r.. touch his. ."Oh. Dick. dear. this b
d always been my real homc-lct 1t
to nowr'
toe A load seemed suddenly lifted fr'
Id his mind. lie bent down and kiss
a her on the lips.
as Presently the bell rang and Ne
r.. house appeared. showing Miss Erski
o. Ia. She held q newspaper in her In
and Ter young face wore serious
e preston.