Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-24
''rhen you would be willing to spend
your whole life here?"

yOui WUOW IIS UcIe!
Certainly"
| The promptness of her reply, instead Of
encOura ging the honest man, paralyzed
him. He was not stupid and II was cnsy
for him to see that the young girl was
| far from suspectng. that little by little.
hc had learned to love her despera tely
and longcd to make her his wife. And
though he did not dream she would re-
| fuse him, he yet remained pcrplcxed and
| embarrassed, not knowing how to pro-
| coed.
| Suddenly Helen extended her hand
why. It is raining!' And she added,
regretfully, 1T was 10 beautiful just now!
But that Ia the way 1t is In your country.
| The rain seems natural, inevitable thing.
even In the midst of the most beautiful
days"
They took refuge beneath one Of the
archways and seeing the children huddled
together close by, Mynhecr Sleeper re-
pliod
you see you do rot really like our
country"
| Helen laughed.
"Whv. yes do, my Mynhecr. AT the
| beginning, 7 must confess that this con-
slant rain troubled me not Il little, but
now I am used to 1t and then
the houses are SO comfortable, partic-
ularly yours, Mynheer Sleeper"
Her companions blue eyes sought hers
as he said, slowly:
IL
you like mine, you ought to be Its mis-
| tress"
A wave o. color rushed into the young
girls checks.
"I3ut am mistress now" she stam-
mcrcd. Gonfuscdly. DO you not allow me
TO order everything In your home Myn-
hcer Slccpcr?"
mo" the man replied, his emotion
showing in his voice. Il mean its real
mistress will you consent to be
my wife, Mademoisclle Iiclcn?'
The young girl grew pale. Like fash
of lightning, stupcfying even herself the
image Of Daniel Sleeper rose IN her mind,
n face very much like his fathers but
full Of the charm Of youth. n certain trou-
bic showing In the strong lines OF his
face the absolute admiration she
had so often read In his blue eyes
She strovc to drive tho vision away
and put her mind on the situation before
her.
"Mvnhocr Sleeper, it is not possible!
she began.
"Why not?" he said simply. cruel
torture eating at his heart. Pointing to the
little girls before them. he continued:
"'rhey love you devotcdly and I know
that YOU love them, also You will be
their mother and you will never leave us"
: The tears rose 10 Ticen's eyes.
"Ah! truly l do not wish to leave you!"
she murmured. feeling an intense and
>
stay in the quiet protecting household
was orly temporary, subject to the edu-
cation Of the children.
Mynhecr sleeper waited a moment and
then concluded:
II will not ask your answer now. To-
night or tomorrow. you may give 1t to
me-
And as the rain ceased, he walked away,
thinking 1t kinder to leave her alone.
The children rushed hastily to a young
man engaged in repairing his nets in a
boat.
| oh. Daniel, please take us out in your
boat!'
, With a smile. their brother made room
for them and leaving them the manage
ment of the oars sat down where he could
watch undisturbed. the pretty governess
who seemed singularly uneasy Without
looking at him. the young girl at last
| said. resolutely:
s Your father has just made me a propo.
sition which | did not in the least expect
Here. her voice failed her. 1t seemed
impossible to go on. She tried to look at
Dani,l to see If his face revealed any anx-
iety, any emotion but something stronger
than herself held her eyes glued to the
[ sparkling water
p Not word. not a sign encouraged her.
Y finally continued, hurriedly.
"Mynheer Sleeper has has
asked me to become his wife.
cOuIu not reply DcIOre knew
whether you and your sis
tiers -"
: Daniel listened stolidly. trying to COM
G prehend the incoherent words and theii
II meaning. His heart beat hard within him
X ne loved Helen desperately, ne had
= thought Of her as his and now
Helen and the children continued their
walk beneath the dripping trees and. to
avoid the falling drops and urged also
perhaps, by a secret hope, Helen led their
the canal.
i he said slowly. "Why?'
did not see the passion and the anguish
j. that lay beneath them. She replied quick
a ly. her pride stung by the thought that
:. she had been mistaken, that the young
g. man had never loved her.
why, l could not become part Of your
y family until knew If l should be wei
come y"
: He was silent. the boat glided rapidly
y over the sparkling water and only the
c sweet voices OF the children broke the
= quiet stiffness. Then he said:
q 'You will Re very welcome
And not until many years aftcrward
when she had long been a happy, con
tented wife. did Helen Sleeper know OF
: the intense love her stepsOn had felt fol
I her. The knowledge did not sadden her
< she was too truly happy for that but Il
X merely served to strengthen the close liz
8 between them.
- copyrighted 1904. by the Foreign Story
Syndicate Co., Burlington. Vt)