New-York tribune., 1905-08-06


this visit"
The old man grunted and began to pull at his
cigar again. "Oh, that must count for nothing
She could not have received attentions from you as
she did in Augusta without earnestly desiring t.
make you welcome here, poor our Opportunity
Then have had no encouragement at all, SAID
Hanburv, crestfallen. Indeed Colonel, can thni-
of nothing from which | could gather the
slightest hope"
oh don't look at it that way. You must not
be discouraged by my silly talk. | don't know
women-I never did"
The lamps were now lighted in the parlor behind
the two men, and through of the big windows
they Evelyn at the piano. You might as well
go speak to her now" said the Colonel, throwing
away his cigar-'no, I'll send her out here; it
inside"
When he saw her coming, Hanbury felt himself
turning cold from head to foot. As she drew near
he reached out for of the big veranda chairs
and placed it for her, remaining standing
She looked at him almost inquiringly for
moment and then sat down CHANGING at another
chair near him, she 1notOned for him to take it.
Not till l have spoken to you" he said, bending
slightly toward her DO you remember, Miss
HashroOk, that you once Complimented me on
having the courage to approach those Northern
capitalists that big deal in real estate?"
Quite Well" she told him. And | was right,
for it your courage that made the venture
Ceed | have heard many of your friends say that.
They said no one else could have put it through.
We'll, it may have been sort of courage
Hanbury admitted with a little forced laugh but
there is another sort that have not got-it is the
courage tell you frankly about something that IS
important to than all the land deals in the
wOrld-mOre important than life itself have
spoken to your father and | want to tell you that
| love you and that want to devote my whole life
to your happiness"
har cI,a;- he
ment brought her face into the light of OF the
lamps in the parlor, and he surprised expression
of tender sympathy her features that thrilled
him through and through. She motioned again
to the chair Sit down." she said softly. Il
want to talk to YOU"
He obeyed, drawing the chair near 70 hers.
You doubt that | could care enough for YOU
to become your wife," she asked, still gently
and sweetly.
You have given me reason to hope so. he
said. 1t IS only my mad love for you that has
driven me to this | come TO know my fate in
sheer desperation. l must know the worst and
be prepared to grappe with it The fear of losing
you coupled with this fresh sight of you in your
own home, has simply unnamed me"
She raised her hand to her face, her uncovered
elbow rested on the broad arm of the chair Beyond
the avenue along the main road some was carry
ing a torch of pine From of the occupied
cabins of the quarter came the sonorous song
of black mother singing a child to sleep; there
the dull humping of a rockerless chair; over
the wide fields the stars We're shining
When she spoke she removed her hand from her
face and her voice shook with emotion she tried
in vain to control You would honor any woman
in the world, Mr.. Hamburg, with such proposal
and | wish could say all that you want me TO
say tonight; but l really don't know if l love you
as q wife should love such husband as | know you
would make her respect you more than anyone
I know; but to me marriage is q most sacred thing
and-and | have not allowed myself. till this
moment, of course, to think of YOU as a possible