Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1906-04-14
~ CHARLOTTE M. BRABmE

but be felt that be had gone too far to
rsesde, and therefore went on reckless
~.
Mr. Msllstt u well aware that II a
man meets you often be must learn TO
love you"
He stopped abruptly after this and
noticed the quick nush that oversprsad
her face; then, impsllsd By an irrssisti-
BILE impulse, he continued:
Il know l ought not to say this TO
you without nrst speaking to Mr.. Nal
lett; but he has been 90 kind to me that
have allowed myself TO hope he would
not object 10 me as a son-in-lsw, be
yond the one great objection that APP
plies TO every ons-I should rob him OF
you. Yet l would not even do that en-
tlrely. He should have his own rooms
In our home, and he could be with Us as
often and as long as he liked. / would
make both 80 happy, II you would let
me! l would cherish you 20 tendsrly
and take such care Of you that an anx-
ious thought should never come near
you, and the troubls 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 thsrsl but. reading
distress in her burning cheeks and avert
cd ayes. he determined not TO prsss for
an answer to-day.
I'm afraid I've worried and dis
trssssd you. I'm very sorry. won't
trouble you about 1t any more Just now.
Try TO think the best you can of what
l have said, and let US go on for a time
as We have beon. good friends" He
ross from his seat, and held out his
hand to her.
Ethel was touched more than she
thought was possible by the unselhsh-
ness Of his words. He had made no
sllurion to his own feelings OF suffer
lnEs, yet she knew the suspense he
would undergo II matters were left as
they stood then. She resolved to tell
him everything. and let him decide.
Don't go for a few minutes, please"
she besought him, nsrvously. 81 have
something l ought to tell you. l have
loved some one else very dearly"
He looked grsvely and pityinsly at the
pretty flushed face; but there wers no
signs Of surprise as he answered:
II guessed as much. You must for
give me for having played the spy; but
| loved you so dearly from the hrst mo-
ment l saw you that l could not help
watching you, and l found 1t out.
know that whoever is to blame for the
breaking OF Of this previous engage
ment, It Ia 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. II you can bring yourself to do
1t, will try my best to deserve my great
happiness by my devotion to you"
Again the thought rose In Ethers
heart, IF had only known this man
before knew Jackp All that she could
find words to say was; How good you
are"
NAY, / am afraid there 10 no treat
goodness In me; but l would try to be
Ell goodness to you. WIN you let me
try7"
Should she confess that she still suf.
fered from the psnrs VI sighted iovsl
There was 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
the msntelbosrd firmly by one hand, and
then, regarding him steadily, she said
without a pause or tremor:
"You do not understand what Il 10
want you to know. 1t Is only very late
ly that my engagement with some on,
else was broken off-so lately, indeed
that l have not recovered from It.
wish you to bear this In mlnd-thst
am still sorry about II. At the sam,
time l know you have done mo a zrest
honor, for l think you are true and hon
orable, and believe that IL l had tim,
to leave this sad memory behind me
could honestly accept you, and bring no
only my gratitude, but my love to oui
home; as things are just now eel 4
would not be right TO say simply woulC
be your wife without letting you know
how 1t il with ms
Poor Ethel! Her heart was laid bar,
now, and she trembled violently. PellinI
came over to her and warmly took boil
her hands In his.
my pearl among womenw he ex
claimed. MY pure, truthful, little loyer
Her hands trsmblsd In his firm clasp
as he led her to her fathers srmchsi
and went down upon His knees, still hold
ing her hands tightly.
Now, listen to me, my darling. an'
when | say anything Of which you dis
| uppfOTct tAoh Snail acN JOuf ldAu
or and explain everything TO him;
shall claim the privilege Of doing whs
can to make your life a little brighte
and plessantsr in the present. | shal
not talk Of love TO you In any way
but / shall let you see a good deal o
me In one shape or(anothsr. l will Civ
you plenty Of time to get over your pres
snt sorrow, and / shall not look upol
you as my afianced in the meantims
but one day, few months hence, l shall
come again and ask the same question
that l have asked to-day, and you shsl
answer me as truthfully as you hsv
done to-day, and then the matter shal
be settled one way or the other"
Ethel, blushinE. made no reply; an
the captain, leaning forward. his fac
all srlow with feeling. kissed her viii
gsntle lingering kiss
sHesvsn bless and keep you. my dar
linTr'
! With these words ringing in her earl
Ethel watched the captain as he hasten
ed from the room.
CHAPTER XVII.
r Mr.. Mallett in evident impatienc,
walked up and down the confined spsc
. between Davs' once table and the dooi