The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1906-08-10
{ Continually

to me. thought 1 had lost all power
| to wildly enjoy, but I haven't 80
you see am not accusing you OF ans
one. l have only reason to be thank
full, if only no harm comes to Louis
or my friends here. l shall not com
plain"
1T is very sweet of you to try to
tighten my sense Of guilt" he replied
gently. "But l cannot absolve myself
so easily. can understand your theo'
~, but l cannot understand how you
find a disappointment. You have ev'
erything to make you happy"
She went on: II am by heritage a
? worker. I know that now. My fathers
people were active and calculating
folk, and my life in the city was un'
natural. I've been dcliciously hungry
| and weary since I've been here-life
seems restored to its balance. You
have done me good-you and splendid
old Matt and sweet Nora"
He sprang from his chair and faced
her. "You mustn't talk to me So" he
| exclaimed, almost harshly. II shall
forget my promises and say forbidden
| words to you. You unseat all my good
resolutions"
She heard, but ignored his passionate
| words. A sort of mental and spiritual
| recklessness had seized her. ''All my
life in the east and in the old world,
! everything in the past, seems gray, as
| If covered by a mist. The realities
! seem to be here. l feel grateful to
you, and l want to ask a favor OF
you
Anything you ask, except a renewal
| Of my promise Of silence"
She hesitated before the rising storm
| of his love. II want you to let me
Louis and me-help rebuild your mime
''What do you mean?'
ats so simple. You and Matt need
money. 1 want you to take Louis into
your mire rs partner. Hush!' she
warningly whispered as the sleeper's
head moved on his pillow. IF he lives
he will want to work with you. II he
dies must help you for his sake"
"He will not die. He will live. But
you-Ann, there is something back of
this" He laid his strong hands upon
her shoulders, looking into her face
with such piercing passion that she
shrank and grew timid. "You need
me? Is that it? Am I one Of your
compensations?
She tried to smile. "That would not
be 1attering, according to my theory"
BE refused to be diverted. Il don't
care what your eastern world thinks
of me if only you are content with me-
I accept your theory. l deserve COM
pensation-some sweet return for my
lonely, loveless life on the plain. Will
you come? Is that what you mean?"
He was master now, stopping at no
polite bar. Il will not let you go till
you speak your mind" His physical
hold on her arms softened, but his
spiritual self closed round her. "Six
months ago was rancher in the
foothills, and you were in great east
ern city. We were as wide apart as the
poles. Now, here we are! I don't un-
derstand it. This I know-you are
here, and can't let you go. accept
your offer to go into the mine, but not
for Louis sake. ~ do it for my own
sake because I want you to be my
partner-my wife. What do you say,
Hesper, my star Of the west?"
She put him away almost in terror.
II can't decide now. must be sure
sure, and I'm not sure. I must have
time to consider. I must go back into
my old Nfe-to my native city"
"You say you are happier here than
in the east Why 60 back at all? Why
risk the loss Of this new found healthT'
II will be honest. 1t is because by
contrast the old life begins to glow.
The change in me may be due to phys:
ical causes. Perhaps 1 could carry my
recovered JOY Of life back with me. If
this should be so, then might never
want to return, and that would be
cruel to you. Don't you see?'
''Then you should CO." he answered
quickly. II want to make you happy.
If cannot, then it is better for one to
suffer than two. Return to New York,
and from that vantage ground look
back on this new life. If do not then
seem fitted to make you happy will
not complain"
They were interrupted again. this
time by Nora, who came in pale and
troubled. Rob, where is Matt? Sure.
he has not shown his face since sup
per-"
"He's IN command Of the guard to-
Night. He's not far away. Don't wor-
~ about him"
"Ann, dear, wish you'd come home.
I need you. Rob will sit with the sick
one, won't you, Rob-"
TO this suggestion Raymond gave as
sent, and in the end Ann went away,
her demonstration unfnished-the ques- |
ton Of her future still unanswered.
Nora was fairly broken. Dear God!
How long are we to be kept on the !
edge, Of destruction like this? Sure,
my patience is worn out"
Ann comforted her as best she could,
and at o'clock. all being quiet out
side, they went to bed.