The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-04-15
DECIDED N HASTE.
Ey e. o, Ross.

w NhdSo " OGiAGN6 ltlAl L CuIeu U JOn.
mo. no. indeed. Miss Carruthers. you
have not-at least-I hoped l had made
you love me-but 1t was not your fault.
| 1t was, and is. impossible for me- to expect
anything cise."
Pm afraid you must"
Most things nave gone we'll with me
All my l.fe. 1t makes 1t harder to believe
that what l want most OF all is to be
denied me. I fenr I'm a spof1t person
and can't give up my own way easily. I
dare not look forward to a life without
you. 1t is worth nothing to me. Why may
I not hope to win you some day. Lilian2
Because 1 do not love you"
''Is that all?'
mo. there is Jack"
Sir George turned pale under hts tan.
who Is Jack?" he asked gravely.
Jack Trevelyan Is our nearest neigh
Dor In Devonshire. We lave always been
great friends"
Friends. or something more?"
Lillian blushed and played with a paper
knife which was In a book by her side.
II think we We're something more. At
least L always thought Jack tho only muit
in the world for me, but he was poor ami
proud. and he never told me of his low.
He would not, You know: because. IL he
became engaged to me before he mada
any money OF his own, people would say
1t was for my fortune"
THAT Is false PRIDE"
Yes. I think SO. too. but the Trevelyans
are horribly. absurdly proud"
How long is that ago?"
II haven't seen Jack for a year, not
since I came to auntie."
You were very young. Lillian, I love
you SO much that In time you must learn
to love me. 1 can risk 1t, dear, IL only
you will marry me-"
mo. l caa't do that with a clear con-
science"
Then. at least, defer your answer.
Think 1t over. Wait q day before you de-
eide. Tomorrow at this time | will coma
for your reply"
He looked 30 tenderly and kindly at tho
girl az he left her that che smiled back
Mt him. and he felt roa.sured.
He was always so good TO her, Lillian
remembered, 50 considerate ana kind.
Since she had known him her life had
boon much more interesting. much fuller
they had so many tastes and hobbies
In M
been reading when he came In. she real
lied that unless she married him she
would no longer have some one to choose
her books and guide the reading she so
much enjoyed. Then her thoughts wan
dered to all the good times, Intellectual
and otherwise, they could rave together,
and the pleasure 1t would give her parents
and aunt IL she married Sir Georbe Hen
don.
She awoke next morning to the con-
sciousness of a crisis In her life. and her
lovers p%leadings OF the day before sound
ed in her ear.
Presently the maid brought her morn
ing tea and her letters.
She opened the one In her mothers
handwriting as being the most interesting
Of the budget.
Just the same ~excitnents," she MUIR
INJURED as she read 1t. Jupiter has hurt
his back-that idiot John must nave been
careless with the saddle again. The fruit
trees promise wonders. especially the old
plum near tho tennis court. because War
rem buried some cats under it-horrtd-
and what's this Jack Trevelyan had q
horrible accident with his motorcar-con-
cussion Of the brain and broken arm.
They think he will pull through now. but
It was a narrow escape. Good heavens!"
With this exclamation the girl jumped
up and rang for her maid.
"Quick, Esther. pack me a bag and my
dressing case. 1 must catch the early
train home. No, you needn't come with
me. What shall you tell my aunt? Say
III be back in a day or two, that Jupiter
no. that won't dc-that mother wants
me-"
Before the household had breakfast. LII
ian had started on her Journey to the bed
side of the lover whom she had nearly lost
twice over.
Without a moments hesitation she fol-
lowed the dictates of her heart. Her inn
mediate thought had been to go to him
in his trial and sickness. She would heal
his sorrow with her love. and break down
his false pride. She realized in time all
that her old comrade was to her, and she.
at least, had no pride to keep them apart.
Tho long journey seemed longer than
usual to her anxious mind, but during the
afternoon she arrived at her destination.
With a face beaming with Joy ut the
thought of seeing Jack SO soon, she
walked into her mothers drawing room.
ILL. my darling and she had her
mothers arms round her. why, what
are you doing here2 Where have you
come from7"
Lillian laughed. and seeing her mother
was not alone, turned to speak to her
guests.
Mrs. Trcvelyan.'' she cried. kissing that
lady after greeting the others. "how Is
Jack?"
She waited breathlessly for tho reply.
though she knew that her absence from
her son meant good progress.
Doing famously, my DEAR was the
laughing answer.
Mrs. Carruthers took her daughters
hand and gently drew her to a seat beside
her.
have great news about Jack" she
said quietly. "He has been made very
happy through his accident
She kept her hand IN Lillan's in her
wish to help her bear what. with her
mothers instinct. she knew would be q
shock.
Mrs. Trevelyan interposed.
Eyes. indeed. my dear. AS soon as ever
! his accident was known. Dolly Marsh
mont drove over. and. taking the fort by
storm, insisted on seeing Jack. They
made it up somehow, and it appears that
she had refused him six month ago. And
now they are both radiant
"How delightful exclaimed Lillian.
clapping her hands gayly, and now I
must tell my news. though 1t seems q
shame to tell you all before 1 warned my
parents. Mother. dear. I've come to tell
you Of my engagement to Sir George Hen
don."
The congratulations. of her old friends
were sincere, but hard to hear. Lillian,
however. felt rewarded by the look OF re-
lief on her mothers face.
Sir George received the answer which
gave him SO much happiness by wire that
evening""
How a starfish Feeds.
st. Nicholas: The mouth OF the sta r11sh