The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-04-13

"1t is the apparent end Of the con-
d1tions, madam"
"You think that a great heiress must
marry? So everybody seems to think
and there are so many gentlemen
who wish to marry me, Mr. Joyce;
you yourself know of several, do you
not? Which would you advise me to
accept-for, indeed, they poster my life
out!''
Madam" said the parson, hurriedly,
In a matter like that-in a matter
like that, l say, cannot counsel IT'S
matter for your own heart only"
Heart? Ah!-then you would coun-
sci me to marry for-love!"
cit should be the basis of every mar
riage, madam answered Parson
Joyce.
May l tell you something's" she
whispered. "I-I am in love! Oh!
| never, never thought it could be
anything like it is. suppose no wom-
an ever was SO much, so happily in
love as |, and it has made mel do
not know what it has made me, except
that l love all the world because of
lt-man, the trees and flowers, every
thing"
1T is true love, madam, that works
these changes" said the parson very
quietly. you should thank heaven for
it,"
She flashed swift eyes, with a CLINT
OF tears in them, on him for second.
But l dol" she cried. "All day
long, and whenever l wake in the
night. And yet" she paused. as a
veil of sadness spread itself across her
face.
Eyes, madame" said the parson.
Il do not know if my love is re-
turned" she whispered.
Parson Joyce drew long breath.
The gentleman" he stopped.
Then he has not spoken to you?" he
added lamely.
"Of love? Not one world" she an
swered. Sometimes think-I think
he cares for me, and sometimes fear
he does not. May l tell you about
him?-it will be such relief, because
l have no one whom may tell-bur
YOU"
The parson bowed his head. Human
feeling was rapidly thawing the priest
within the man; he felt now as if he
We're the brother of this radiant young
! creature
| Yes" he said; tell me-"
Again she laughed merrily.
Now l cannot tell you," she said.
"a moment ago l thought could, ana
noW-Well, he is good, and he is most
lovable, and he is-and love him!"
He must be worthy indeed, madam.
who is worthy of your love-" answered
the parson, and he sighed.
"Ah, but am worthy of his?" she
said with sudden deep feeling.
Il do not know him." answered Par
son Joyce.
No. she said. II do not think you
do. But-tell me, what must l do!
Indeed, indeed, there is no other man
in all the world that l will marry.
will die maid if cannot marry the
man l love!'
Will he not speak?"
He has not spoken"
81 have heard" said Parson joyce.
| that there are ways by which a man
in these cases may be made to speak,"
The girl shrugged her shoulders and
made little grimace.
| Il wish l knew them!" she said.
"The gentleman is, perhaps, poor?"
I'm the eyes of the world, yes
"And possibly, proud?"
With the pride of true man"
1T might seem pretentious on his
part to seek your hand madame"
81 believe, upon my soul, it is some
such nonsense as that which fills his
head!" she exclaimed, tapping her toe
against the fender.
But, madam" Parson Joyce in his
| agitation rose and stood before her
with clasped hands. Consider the
feelings of poor gentleman, who,
may be, loves and adores you with all
his heart, but who judges it presump-
| tuous-"
"Presumptuous? OH" she said. "l
have no patience with such Stiffness.
The mere fact that love him makes
| him far above me-"
There was silence for while; the
parson was wondering who the man
might be who had so transformed this
once imperious and coquettish young
beauty. He ran them over in his
mind, and could fix on none. And.
without knowing it, he sighed.
"It seems to me- madam" said Par
son Joyce, that there is but one way
out Of the difficulty He faced her fair
and square, in the determined way in
which he always stood in his pulpit.
and she looked up at him, and immedi-
ately looked elsewhere. "If the gentle
man cannot be brought to declare his
love. and his love is so necessary to
your happiness
"Yes," she murmured. at is-it has
come to be my life
and il you feel assured that he is
keeping silent because he fears to DO
thought presumptuous-"
Eyes. yes-I know it is So"
Then" said Parson Joyce, you
must tell him of your love for hin,