The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-08-24
The AtaViSn
OF Pauline
Blu INA WRIGHT HANSON
Copyright. 1905. by Ina Wright Hanson

delights, between the white statues Of
pcnt." At our left stretched a smooth
red road.
''Thc road of love. and it leads to
paradise" remarked.
Pauline was silent. Her dreamy
eyes gazed beyond the little waves lag
ging in toward shore out to the bank
to shut us two, there ip the sunshine,
away from the whole world. My glance
fingered on Paulines ripping brown
hair. on her straight little nose, Oh her
mouth and | gave one long sigh OF
content
pauline 1 said. will you marry
me-"
NO" she answered.
Her tone was caressing, but it held
uncompromising firmness. The fog
was coming closer in
"Why?'
Pauline turned her gray eyes from
the ocean 10 me.
OHe ltioti ldCACSt, ShC QuOI
ed softly. '''Go sell what thou hast
and give to the poor
| stared blankly at her. Was this
child of luxury, this butterfly Of fash
ion, turning preacher?
81 don't say it's original. Gilbert For
generations back there's been every
now and then some one of our family
who has believed and practiced it. l
suppose the mantel of these peculiar
ancestors has fallen upon me. for it
has been life principle with me-
"Maybe I'm dense, but l confess l
don't see"-
st have more money than l know
what to do with; so have you. 1t is
absurd for us to marry and put all our
money together 1t isn't right. You
must choose some poor girl and
penniless man.
''NOnsenSe"'
81 really mean it.
/ reasoned with her for an hour and
at the end of the time I left her look
ing at the ocean. her eyes wet, but her
chin determined Her chauffeur look
ed at me inQuiringly as l strobe past
her auto car. which had brought us
both. l damned my hat down vicious
fy and started along the red road, but
it no longer led to paradise. 1t was no
"road O. love" and there was no para
disc anywhere.
"fAnd the young man went away
sprrowful. for he had great posses
siOns'"
It's amazing what a good nights
sleep will do for a man. Next morn
ing I had an interview with my law
yer. 1t was tedious and somewhat
embarrassing, as had to explain some
things I should have preferred to keep
to myself 1t was over at last and
sought Pauline
[ found her in the rose garden, writ
ing rapidly. When she saw me she
sprang up, scattering her papers on the
grass. She smiled at me tearfully.
81 discovered that / couldn't live
without you," 1 said. taking her into
my arms 81 could have given away
dozen fortunes rather than lose you"
| felt her start.
"Given away, Ebert" she repeated
.ssYou haven't given away
Every cent" l cried gayly, leading
her to a seat. "Just got the business
finished. I'm your penniless man.
Now when will you marry me?'
She stared at me, her eyes round and
amazed. Then she laughed nervously
81 have, toO," she gasped
ssHave what, darling?' 1 queried.
''Given everything away. 1 was just
writing to you to tell you that 1 cared
more for you than for my wretched
money: and it's all gone, gone, gone"
"Never mind, little girl. We have
each proved our love. Now we will
start in and live as our grandparents
did. | will buy ranch
my grandparents didn't, and you
haven't any money, Ebert"
"Oh, that's so. Well, will go and
work for rancher, then, and you can
help the rancher's wife. You can make
butter and feed the hens and-and fat
ten the pigs, can't your
She held up her little white hands.
and covered them with kisses. Then
she put them, one on each side of my
face, and looked steadily into my
eyes.
Gilbert, l will try if the rancher's
wife will have patience with me-"
ITO whom did you give your for
tuner 1 asked after minute
ITO the church for an orphanage."
Her lips were quivering again, so l
said hastily
swell, sweetheart, go put on your
pIainest gown, as BELTS poor mans
bride, and we will go at once to the
parsonage"
I laughed when she came back. Her
anlainest gown" was simple and white,
But probably cost as much as I could
earn on the ranch in a year.
s'The minister lent me the money
for the license and has promised to
wait till l got my first months wages
for that and his fee,'' / explained as
we walked along
49,