Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-10-05

purpose to make you ask me 20 marry
! you" -. 49,.
Her voice came to a sudden stop.
She half waited, as though dreading,
yet hoping, he would speak-say any
thing-rather than keep so 'awfu1ly
still. But he made no sign, and, with
curious stiffening of the muscles of
the throat, she turned away.
Zone moment, Miss-Love. I want
to ask you question" John Medhurst's
voice cried quickly after her. ;
She stopped, looking at him fear
fully.
''Why, If, as you say, your ambition
was to- make me propose to you," he
began slowly, "did you, when your mis-
sion was accomplished, reveal your
plot to me? You could easily have
waited until you had made quite Ger
tain OF your quarry. don't under
stand what you gain BY having told me
now"
"Why did I tell you all this?" she
broke in, quickly, a burning color
staining her face. Because something
happened that held me back from let
ting you think we'll of me longer.
Something so wonderful, so-sad, and
yet so terrible, that was obliged to let
you know the truth, and receive an
other punishment besides your scorn
of me-"
What was it happened that could
be punishment to you?" he said in a
low voice.
She clasped her hands to her face for
moment, and when she looked at
him her eyes were bright and steady.
Love! I loved you, and, to my
bitterness, I knew that it was to be
a worse punishment than anything.
The knowledge that had wronged the
man loved!" She flung out her hands
passionately. II tell you now-this
is my triumph, Lord Carslake. could
not go on with the deception because
the thing for which plotted was the
stumbling block In my way. I wish
had never met you, or that you were
really the plain John Medhurst you
seemed to be. But as it is, will go
out Of your life as came into it."
He caught her hand in his.
you love me? You would marry
me if were just plain John Medhurst,
with no rank?"
She looked at him proudly
eyes, would marry you if you were
plain John Medhurst.' I would be
content to live in cottsge with you,
content with you-and love! So you
see you have conquered
He drew her to him with glad little
laugh.
eyes, have conquered. I and-love.
have no other feeling for you sweet
heart, save reverance and honor, in
spite of the little plot you have con-
fessed. It does not even affect me, for
your love is for the man, not for the
peer"
eyes, yes" she murmured. "You,
John, just you-and, o, to think that
I can never prove my love! That a
doubt as to my sincerity must always
lnger with you. That Is punishment
enough for me-"
1T need not be-" he returned. II
also have confession to make. I am
not Lord Carslake, the man you plotted
to marry. came here and took these
rooms that had been thrown over at
the last moment by another man, pre-
sumably Carslake; SO, darling, you
may really know that you are marry
ing man who believes in your love- -
mot Lord Carslake! o, how glad
l ami" she cried, with a tremulous
laugh. How glad that may prove
my love is for you, even though you
were beggar, so long as I could walk
by your side!"
Then he bent his head, and their lips
met And in that kiss Of love Lottie
left the world behind her.
-Four weeks later a quiet little we'd
ding took place at rural church. The
bride and bridegroom came out quietly
and drove to the station. Lottie had
broken her contract with the Felicity
management, and ignored the many
questions Of her friends as to her re-.
treat into country life.
AS she and her husband were STEP
ping into the train a neat man ser
want stepped up to them and touched
his hat.
"Everything is all right, your lord
ship. Yours and her ladyship's things
are in the front van"
Then he moved away, and as the
train steamed from the station Lottie
turned to her bridegroom.
John, there is some mistake! That
man called you your lordship.'"
Her husabnd slipped his arm round
her waist and drew her closer.
's1'm afraid he's right, darling" he
said, regretfully. when told you
that was not Lord Carslake did not
add that Medhurst was my family
name, and that l was instead John
Lord Sherrington. Forgive me, dar-
ling, for making you a ladyship after
all. am not to blame-I wanted you
so-and it seemed that you might pos
sibly slip through my fingers"
And Lottie's kiss satisfied him that
he was forgiven.
Defending His Hens.
x.yoc oo3l 80 cS:1.~