The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-08-30
er become interested in such a

Isscheme?'
II will tell you the story ,and l shall
make no endeavor TO justify myself IL
/ your sight. AS far as you and | arc
concerned all is over between MS
give you your freedom now. Margaret
before you have heard the story"
THANK you, mister, but, IL you
| please, the lady likes the privilege OF
breaking an engagement; so If you'll
just take back my freedom-untilI 1 ask
for It'll be pleased to listen to your
story" answered Margaret. smiling
through her tears.
Ernest began: "Mr. Stewart, the rail-
road magnate, became very much inter
ested in me, when he found l was work
Ing under difficulties, and threw open
his laboratory-yes, and his home-to
me. He treated me as son. When
my Invention was perfected, he said
that if wished he would take charge
Of securing the patent and finding a
market for it. / haven't seen him to
have talk with him, since then. He's
been away most of the time, and seem
ed very busy when he did happen to be
home. didn't think anything about it,
until l met this Bob Kracker, one even
ing. l had no idea that he was pro-
fessional thief, of course, until later
BY degrees he convinced me that Stew
arts interest had been not so much in
me as In my work, and proved to my
satisfaction that had been an easy
dupe, and that Stewart had appropriat-
ed for hlmself-whlle thought he was
thinking only of me-the fruits of my
seven years labor. Can you imagine
the rage l was in! The rest doesn't
need telling" He was walking as he
talked. II was ready to get a part of
what belonged to me in any manner
but you," and he leaned over the back
Of her chair and kissed her reverently,
on the forehead, my arresting angel,
were sent to save me. Think BY morn
Ing should have been "a"
"Don't, Ernest! l can't bear It! II
wish you had come to father with your
story, Ernest. I'm sure if he had
known that you lacked so little of being
a success, he would have helped you.
But It's too late for that now. You
see, was so overcome when l read
your note that permitted him to see
it."
This was blow that Ernest had not |
expected, but he tried not to let Mar |
garet see how it affected him.
II can understand that easily, but |
how is 1t you are here? l know, of
course, your father doesn't know it.
Didn't my letter kill all your love for
me? How is it you have risked SO
much to come to mel"
Il came to you because l love you,
dear" and she leaned toward him and
took his hands in hers and pulled him
down to her and kissed him. Because
you needed me as you probably will
never again need me-"
II shall need you always, Margaret,
but can't ask you to marry me now"
You don't have to; you did that a
year ago, and l haven't released you"
Even though | were willing to ac-
cept your sacrifcse, dear, your father
would leave no stone unturned to put
an end to our engagement" said Err
nest.
There only is one thing which would
compel father to be with us instead of
against us. You know his family pride?
Well, when he comes to see you, to-mor-
'ow morning, he must find son-in-
aw!"
In less than half an hour Margaret
nd Ernest might have been seen alight-
ng from cab before the Rev. George
). Grace's parsonage. A short time
ater, they entered hotel, and Ernest
egistered: Ernest A. Bixby and
vife." If he had glanced up the list a