The San Francisco call., 1904-11-16

pail he had become even more thor
oughly interested in the teacher.
Among his letters from England
two months or so later was one from
the family solicitors the opening
paragraph of which read: "It is our
painful duty to inform you Of a sad
accident which befell your Cousin
Robert and the Baronet while testing
new automobile. Robert was IN
stantly killed and the Baronet some
what injured. He is already better,
thanks to his rebust constitution. This
makes you the heir and the Baronet
directs that you dispose Of any inter
ests you may have in America and
return home Immediately. Roberts
allowance of $4,000 a year will be
yours If you reside in England. We
may add that the Lady Ellen is stay
ing at the hall"
Ryland read the letter thoughtfully,
but on the whole with clearing face.
Only that morning he had received
an intimation that a mortgage would
be foreclosed on his ranch unless the
interest be paid Immediately. That
would leave him practically penniless.
His natural bent was for quiet and
his books. He doubted If he could
make a living in America, or any
where for that matter. The only thing
was to return and accept the $4,000,
and. incidentally, Lady Ellen
Once decided, he thrust the rest Of
the letters into his pocket and started
out to say good-by to his friends.
When something disagreeable was in
prospect the less procrastination the
better.
1t was this that took him straight
to the schoolhouse. Miss Ce1linwood
was more to him than all else in
America, how much more he had not
realized until he decided to leave.
She was just closing the door when
he arrived, and something in her eyes
as she greeted him changed his in
tended brief farewell into: Suppose
we stop under the trees a little while,
Miss Collinwood. 1t is so pleasant
here now; and besides, have some
thing 1 want to tell you"
Under the trees" had been their
favorite talking place. and he found it
even more difficult to speak the words
of farewell there than he had at the
schoolhouse door. Several times he
forced them to his lips, but looking
into her eyes and listening to her
voice he could not give them utter
ance. England and the three thou
sand pittance were slipping farther
and farther away, and America and
this girl beside him were becoming
nearer and more Indispensable. She
was telling him of some of her am
bitions and hopes, and the indomit-
able courage was firing his own veins
and making simple what had before
seemed insurmountable. He had
thought this girl his dearest friend;
he now knew that she was infinitely
more, and in this land, or anywhere,
it would be easy to make a living for
the woman he loved. Suddenly he
reached out and took her hands in
his, strongly. and she did not resist.
Miss Collinwood-Elinor." he said
steadily, will you marry me?"
And she, after a moment of silence,
but not hesitation, answered quietly,
Yes"
They talked for half an hour longer,
making plans and discussing hopes;
then he noticed the bulk of unopened
letters in his pocket. He took them
out, one by one, and read them, still
talking, and making comments on
what they contained. The last was
from the same solicitor as the first,
written two days later. but mailed in
time to reach the same boat. 1t read:
"The late Baronet's injuries, at first
thought slight, developed alarming
symptoms yesterday, and he died this
morning. You succeed to the title.
Please come at once"
Copyright, 1904, by F H. Sweet.