The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1906-09-20

fact that several new sorls VI pv,a
toes of reputed disease resistanee
baye recently been placed on the mar
get by American seedsmen, e. g..
for his mind was somewhat preoccu-
pied. And then they turned to COM
monplace topics.
Later in the day, in the secrecy OF
his own cabin, he indicted a letter to
his sister in England:
Dearest Sister: You will be sur
prised to see that l am aboard this
mail ship. The fact is, since Made
line consented to come out to marry
me have had grave doubts of the
wisdom of the idea, even though it was
originally my own. 1t is so long since
we last saw each other that felt sure
changes must have occurred in me
which might possibly not accord;
might, indeed, quite possibly prove abb
.solutely antagonistic to changes which
time and distance must have wrought
in her.
Il decided, therefore, as my appear
ance has been completely changed
since l sat for the last photo l sent
home-1 have grown beard and
mustache-to join this boat at Port
Said, and get to know Madeline's dis
position and tastes, and, if possible,
the view she took of her approaching
or,.io with yI,ifb In xul
edge of my identity. 1t was not quite
scrupulous, l know; but surely the
end justifies the means, for any steps
which might be taken to obviate a pos
sibly unhappy marriage were as fair
to her as to myself, and so justifiable.
And the result?
81 thank heaven that l have done
what have done. If l have suffered
a sense of meanness have suffered a
thousand times more intensely by the
revelation made to me.
II had not been aboard more than
an hour when l saw her, and the sight
of her dear But l am barring senti-
ment in this letter. l recognized her
of course, and it seemed to me she
was of more attractive appearance
than ever. But the change within her!
Well, she is just the same bright, wit
ty girl. with all the dear old ways, the
same delightful smile.
"She is as young as ever, but she is
UNNECESSARILY changed, for all that.
She has flirted with me most fiercely
for days past, and l honestly believe,
vanity apart, that she cares for me
little. l offer her that excuse for the
way she has thrown herself at me. Yet
at the same time it ruins her in my
eyes. Constsncy-surely that is wO-
mans greatest virtue! And this Mad
cline is as inconsistent as the wind.
81 tested her on the question Of our
marriage to-day, and the result was
extremely painful. 1t is quite clear to
me that she is coming out to marry
John Mervin-I am registered as
James Murchinson-onlyi in fulfillment
of her promise to do so, and because
she feels that a bird in the hand is
worth two in the bush. Indeed she
practically told me SO. And feel con-
WINGED that she would as lief marry
James Hutchinson as me-
That very evening he arrived at the
crisis, with Miss Madeline's cordial CO
operation.
They were alone together in cor
ner of the upper deck, which was
shaded from the bright moonlight.
She had inveigled him there, of which
fact he was perfectly conscious. She
was unusually grave and taciturn. Al
length she betrayed the secret OF her
mood.
81 have been thinking over what
you said this morning" she volun-
teered, with a long, soft sigh. I'm
afraid you consider it rather repre-
hensible of me to make this voyage
to marry a man no longer love?'
at is scarcely fair to him or to
Yourself" he answered in a hard
voice after a pause. Nor is it fair
TO any other man who may love you,
and might make you happy; who
would endeavor to his utmost to do
so'
But what can do?" she murmured,
rising slowly and advancing to the
rails. you have shown me it is
wrong" she added, when he Joined
her. Can you tell me what would be
right?"
| She stretched out an arm languidly,
and laid her hand on the rail under
| his very nose.
After a moments hesitation he de-
cided he had no alternative to cover
| ing it with one Of mis- own. and ne
| leaned toward her.
"Mad-Miss Havers," he whispered
| in a hollow voice, will - will you
marry me if l can convince you that
| my rank and position are satisfac-
| tory"
She drew close to him, and involun-
| tarily he took her in his arms.
"You love me?" she asked timidly,
| fitting her face up to his.
To evade the question, which need
ed consideration, he kissed her.
She sighed deeply, and half turned
| away as his arms relaxed.
81 must say" she murmured gently,
apparently addressing the moon. "a
nice soft beard and mustache give
delightful piquancy to kiss She
turned back to him again, with blush
| ing face and downcast eyes, as she