The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-02-16

Aou cec, he mas treasure etOnQ
price in his keeping, and he guards it
jealously"
For moment the drift of his remark
did not strike her; she concluded he was
abiding to the secret Of her fathers
birth, which she had thought was
known only to Lord Summers. She was
surprised that he. should know the Sc
cret; but she said nothing, and quietly
awaited an explanation.
Pelling was slightly disconnected by
her unexpected silence and her inquiring
| gaze. He felt that he had committed
himself in some way, and honestly re-
GREETED that he had been so indiscreet.
but he felt that he had gone too far to
| recede, and therefore went on reckless
ly.
"Mr. Mallett is well aware that II a
man meets you often he must learn to
love YOU
He stopped abruptly after this, and
noticed the quick flush that overspread
| her face; then, impelled by an irresisti-
BILE impulse, he continued:
Il know l ought not to say this to
you without first speaking to Mr.. Nal
| lett; but he has been so kind to me that
l have allowed myself to hope he would
not object to me as a son-in-law. be-
| yond the one great objection that ap-
plies to every one-I should rob him of
you. Yet l would not even do that en-
tirely. He should have his own rooms
| in our home, and he could be with us as
| often and as long as he liked. l would
make both so happy, if you would let
| me! l would cherish you so tenderly
| and take such care of you that an anx-
ious thought should never come near
you, and the trouble in your face which
l cannot help seeing sometimes should
die from sheer hamilton"
He paused, while Ethel sat quite still.
her hands pressed closely together in
her lap, the flush still burning in her
| cheek. He yearned to take her into his
arms and hold her there; but, reading
distress in her burning cheeks and avert
ed eyes, he determined not to press for
an answer to-day.
I'm afraid I've worried and dis
tressed you. I'm very sorry. l won't
trouble you about it any more just now.
Try to think the best you can of what
l have said, and let us 60 on for a time
40 We ANVC OSChs SOOO AAlcuuSs LILO
rose from his seat, and held out his
hand to her.
Ethel was touched more than she
thought was possible by the unselfsh-
ness of his words. He had made no
allusion to his own feelings or suffer
ings, yet she knew the suspense he
would undergo if matters were left as
they stood then. She resolved to tell
him everything, and let him decide
Don't go for few minutes. please" "
| she besought him, nervously. Il have
| something / ought to tell you. l have
loved some one else very dearly"
He looked gravely and pityingly at the
pretty flushed face; but there were no
signs of surprise as he answered.:
II guessed as much. You must for
give me for having played the spy; but
l loved you so dearly from the first mo-
ment l saw you that l could not help
| watching you. and l found it out. l
know that whoever is to blame for the
breaking off of this previous engage
ment, it IS not you: and, in spite of the
! fact Of your having promised in the
past to be the wife of another, l am
longing to hear you repeat that promise
to me. If you can bring yourself to do
| it, will try my best to deserve my great
happiness by my devotion to you
Again the thought rose in Ethers
heart, IF 1 had only known this man
| before knew Jack" All that she could
| find words to say was: How good you
| are"
NAY, l am afraid there Is no great
| goodness in me: but l would try to be
all goodness to you. Will you let me
| try"
| Should she confess that she still suf-
fered from the pangs VI sighted love:
There was a short struggle in her mind
between pride and honesty. The latter
| prevailed, and she rose from her seat
and crossed to the fireplace: She held
then, regarding him steadily, she said
| without a pause or tremor:
| "You do not understand what it is |
want you to know. 1t is only very late
" that my engagement with some one
else was broken off-so lately, indeed
that l have not recovered from it.
wish you to bear this in mind-that |
am still sorry about it. At the slime
| time l know you have done me great
honor, for 1 think you are true and hon
orable, and l believe that if l had time
to leave this sad memory behind me |
could honestly accept you, and bring not
only my gratitude, but my love to our
home; as things are just now l eel ii
would not be right to say simply l would
be your wife without letting you know
how it is with me.
Poor Ethel! Her heart was laid bare
now, and she trembled violently. Polling
came over to her and warmly took both
her hands in his.
MY pearl among women" he ex
claimed. MY pure, truthful. little love"
Her hands trembled in his firm clasp
as he led her to her fathers armchair
and went down upon his knees, still hold
ing her hands tightly.
Now, listen to me, my darling. and
when l say anything of which you dis
approve. stop me. l shall see your faith
er and explain everything to him:
Stall claim the privilege of doing what
l can to make your life little brighter
and pleasanter in the present. l shall
not talk of love to you in any way
but | shall let you see a good deal OF
ME in one shape or another. | will give
you plenty of time to get over your pres
ent sorrow, and | shall not look upoI