Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-11-08

~ SoNH OIHOiJ 6uouluS yOuuB BlTlS
were prone to wonder that Sarah
Irving had never married.
And with her Madonna facel
She's just lovely, If she is an old
maid"
For more than ten years Sarah
Irving had made her home in her mar.
ried brothers family, to the happi-
ness of the whole household. What
better preof of her goodness could
you ask? For everybody knows this
cannot be said of all maiden ladies Of
40 who are domiciled under mar
ried brothers roof.
1t goes without saying that the
young ladies Of Cloverdale were quite
wild over DR.. Bryant, and a greater
number of gentle invalids suddenly
developed in the place than anyone
had ever known there before.
Il declared" one belle would say
30 another, half in jest half in earn
est, isn't it too aggravating when
DR.. Bryant is out at any evening gath
ering with the Irvings, always to see
him coolly tuck Sarah's arm within
his and walk off home with her as a
matter Of counsel"
81 should think so! when at her age
she can't care anything about 1t, and
any Of the rest Of US would be so de-
lighted with the honor! Much as
admire her, | fear | shall come to
fairly hate her, If it goes on so, I'm so
green with envy"
At home, In his leisure hours, he
proved himself most delightful com.
panion. He had travelled widely, had
read almost everything worth read.
ing, and was withal an enthusiast in
his profession.
He found in Sarah a refined, intel
ligent woman, who could talk well
and listen well, both rare accom-
plishments, so they got on famously
together. And so naturally did 1t all
come about, that months passed be
fore she mistrusted that the esteem
in which she held the young doctor
was any warmer than that she had
felt for many.
And DR.. Bryant?
He considered her one Of the fines,
women he had ever met trusted her
and confided In her as he might
have done In sister, had he ever had
one, and did not realize his true feel
ings toward her till 1t was all at once
revealed to him when he accidentally
learned Of her tender nursing Of 9
poor neighbours sick children.
Then 1t dawned upon him that this
was just the help-meet he needed
that Sarah Irving was a woman
among thousand, and in short, that
ne loved her and had for a long time
though he had not realized it.
One night they were out riding In
the seft summer starlight. No word
was spoken until DR.. Bryant turned
to his companion and said, impress.
sively:
Miss Irving, | have always admired
and respected you. l have found that
you are my other self, the very won.
an | need for a wife. | say to you
now what never said to any woman
before love you with all my heart
and soul! Darling!"
And before she could recover from
the surprise of this announcement he
had drawn her to him and pressed a
KISS upon her lips, the first and last
lovers kiss she ever received.
Oh! sweetest moment of all her ex.
istence. No starving mortal ever
tasted food, no parched lips ever
quaffed water so delicious as were
those words to Sarah's soul, spoken
in the fondest, tenderest accents. The
music OF that last word of endear.
ment, the very tone in which it was
spoken, rang in her ears to the last
day OF her life. Who shall blame her
II for one moment she yielded to the
prof1ered caress? The next instant
her strong, pure love for him had
triumphed, and drawing herself erect
she replied:
DIR. Bryant, you must know | am
astonished beyond measure at what
you have said, as l had no reason to
expect such words from you. esteem
you very highly, and appreciate the
honor you do me in asking me to
be your wife, but it can never be-"
And why not?" he asked.
Look at the unsuitableness of the
thing" she replied. with a calmness
that astonished herself, while her
heart was beating as II It would
burst its way out and speak in its
own behalf. 81 am Is years older
than you. Such marriage would be
absurd"
Not If you loved me as | love you {"
ne replied earnestly.
How little he dreams it," thought
poor Sarah.
Sarah shook her head sadly
1T would not be wise nor kind
Think for one moment; look for.
ward 20 years. You would be q
man in the prime of life, a gray.
haired old woman. You will live IN
see the time when you will thank
me for my decision tonight, although
N NAV coop1 nruaI - -. a,