Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-02-04

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ought to have told her what he meant
that l said, If you are grateful tor
what | did last night-not that think
| l did anything for you to be grateful
for; nothing that any other man in my
place would not have done-but if
I you are grateful, there is way of re-
paying me which lies before you,
, what-what would you say?"
7 Joan smiled at him.
Snow ne the way. What is it?"
she said, with eager warmth.
Z BERTHE paused, his heart beating
wildly, his color coming and going.
/ 1t seemed a Wild, daring thing he
was going to do, and his courage as
founded himself Was he going to
tel her that he loved her?
Well. he did love her. He loved her
as well a. ever man loved woman.
and he would be proud to own it; he
would stake I'll upon the hazard of the
d.e-stake ard win or lose all.
Can you not guess?" he said.
Joan shook her head.
NO; why should you? 1t gems so
sudden and-an1-' STAN mered BERTHE.
But it is true, all the same, Miss Ire
velyan. do you remember-forgive me
for taking your thoughts back to that
tIme-dO ycI remember the first time
we metz"
jeans face paled. Instantly her
thoughts flew back to the morning
when Stuart Vlllars had left her, and
BERTHE came and opened her eyes to
her intended ruin
SEe saw all the scene before her.
remembered the look of the rooms,
Bertie's voice, the very tune the organ
outside was playing.
Il remember" she said, in a low
voice
And | remember it, too" said
BERTHE. 81 have never ceased to think
OF it, You-came into my life like
beautiful dream. came and vanished,
leaving nothing but the remembrance
behind
jean started, flushed, and looked at
him in mingled surprise and pain
Il have thought of you ever since,
said BERTHE, stumbling on hurriedly,
his handsome face pale and anxious,
his voice thrilling and eager. Il did
not know it then, | don't think quite
knew it until last night, but | know
now that-that | love you!"
Joan's eyes filled with a yearning
! expression of sorrow and regret
"Oh, why did let you go on? /,
did not know" she faltered.
BERTHE WINGED.
There is no hope for me-" he said,
with little catch in his voice "Well, !
don't see why there should be- Who
full and clever and famous-should
give thought to me?"
"Oh, it is not that" murmured Joan. |
"But it is" said BERTHE, firmly. 81
don't see why | should have been mad
enough to nope that you would listen |
to me, or-or try and care for me. !!
But | did hope, | suppose. or /
shouldn't have spoken. And now |
have told you, and it is all over. and !
and-I am sorry if have worried
yoli--"
ooh, no, 70" murmured Joan her
eyes fast filing with tears; she knew
the worth and the nobility of the
heart he was laying at her feet.
"And-and now l will take myself
off, he said, smiling ruefully. Il
ought not to have spoken as I have
done and wound you to-day. after all
you went thrugh last night, but-but-,
well, it's the first time l have been in ,
love, and-and YOU must excuse it and
forgive me-"
He held out his hand as he spoke. !
and there was a suspicious moisture
in his eyes that seemed to indicate
that the hero of the "Times" was
pretty near the crying point.
Joan put her hand in his, and her
fingers closed over his in way that
startled poor BERTHE
81 am sorry, sorry sorry!" she said;
and you have only seen me twice! +
Oh, if you would only believe that am
not worthy such love as yours"
II WOulu lihe great uedl TO make
me believe that!'' SAID BERTHE, ruefully.
THAT | am not worthy" she repeat !
ed. but ought to have stopped you.
| ought to have told you that-what
you wanted could not be. l could nor
be your wife, Lord Dewsbury. l have
promised to be the wife of Mr.. Nor
daunt Royce"
"Mordaunt Royce, Mordaunt Royce"
he repeated. in a wooden kind of fash
ion. "Yes. he is good fellow.
know Royce well. Yes, yes."
HE has been very good and kind to
mel" said Joan.
"Yes." said BERTHE, staring at the
carpet. 81 ought to have known by
the way he spoke to you last night. 1
but didn't think of it this morning
when saw you. IL hope you Will be
happy, Miss Trevelyan. Royce is n
good fellow. IL don't say don't