Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1907-04-13


Does he ask you to help himf Is that
his reason for writingY
Not at all. He distinctly disavows
any motive of the kind does not intend
to pay the bill himself, or allow any one
else to pay it for him. lie says he knows
that DIR. Dynevor Is about to acquaint me
with the whole affair, and wishes to give
me first of all his own version of it.
Among other changes, the engagement
with Mary is broken off,"
But that is serious" exclaimed Ger
trude, much troubled. at will ruin both
their lives. Who has done it2'
DIR. Dynevor, and on account Of these
matters. I'm sorry for Charley, and sup
pose | must see into It" concluded the
earl, passing at length through the gate.
He walked away. Gertrude went slow
ly up the garden and crossed to a nat
ural arbor formed by the interlacing trees,
and there sat down on a bench overshad-
owed by the towering lilac and dropping
laburnum.
IF she and Charles should part for
good, would Everard return to herr" shy
ly wondered Gertrude, with flushing
cheeks. "He said Why-who is
this?"
She half rose In her establishment.
Strolling down the broad path from the
house came Sir Everard Wilmot. Could
it be he? Gertrude gazod as one in a
dream. Sir Everard walked across the
lawn and held out his hand.
II am so much surprised" she said as
her own hand met his, and her lovely face
turned to rose color. II had not even
heard that you were expected"
II came down from London this morn
ing" he answered, as he took his seat
beside her. when Avon was last In
town he invited me to come to him for a
day or two. Having nothing particularly
on hand just now, thought the occasion
too good to be lost. You are not sorry to
see me, Miss Baumgarten?"
"Oh, no; why should l be sorry2" flut-
tered Gertrude. I'VE must all be glad to
see you, for it is dull here. l often wish
myself away"
A moments silence. Then Sir Ever
ard took possession of the hand again,
and bent little forward, his face, slight
ly agitated, turned to hers
II am given to plain speaking, as you
may remember, Gertrude; l cannot beat
about the bush with fine phrases, as some
men cam" he said. MY dear, l came
here to-day with one sole ebject-that of |
asking you to be my wife, Oh, Gertrude !
don't say me nay again !"
She bent her head and her changing |
face. Mis- Baumgarten lost ell her dig
nifty, and burst into tears. Somehow he
did not regard 1t as a bad omen. Per
haps he was an expert at interpreting |
signs and tokens. However that might
be, he put his arm around her and drew
her gently to him.
MY darling" he whispered with i'm
passioned feryor. Il see that you will not
send me away" And Gertrude bent her
face still lower as she murmured:
Perhaps you have not heard-Mary
is broken Off"
Gertrude, don't you know me better
than THAR" he rejoined. Did you not
know, did you not see in the past days
that it was not Mary Dynevor l loved,
but you? When you refused me, refused
even to listen to a word l would have
spoken, l turned to Mary in-I fear
must say it-vexation OF soul. Ny dear,
why did you treat me so?'
Should she ever be able to tell him?
Not yet, nj any rate. She had mistaken
his frequent visits to the sick daughter
Of a lady staying in the place, friends Of
her own and of Lady Grace. A foolish,
gossiping woman had whispered to Ger
trude that Mr.. Wilmot was paying so
much attention to this young sick lady
that their engagement was an absolute
certainty. Gertrude believed 1t, and be-
came at once so resentfully jealous that
when Mr.. Wilmot, not long afterward,
spoke 70 her, in her pride she retaliated
upon him with indignation. No, she could
not tell him all this to-day, or speak of
the sore repentance which had ever since
laid upon her.
She drew herself to the end of the
bench, put her hat on decorously, and es-
sayed to converse upon Indifferent topics
the beauty of the day, the scent OF the
lilac, the song of the birds. "Do you see
that labunum?" she asked, scarcely
knowing what she said. 1T is my favor
tie tree the most beautiful of all trees
the most graceful of all blossoms"
YES" he replied, II almost agree with
N'u' Ac N'uhtAg pSDP4S NtlLI II Eptu
chain down with us" he added, smiling.
Down with YOU"
an the country where my home is
the fairest county In the heart of Eng
land. Soon to be your home also, hope,
Gertrude. My darling, may the chains
that bind our future lives together be as
fair and golden as those of your fayorite
blossom"
Does Uncle Henry know you are
hereE' she suddenly asked.
Why, Of course he does. was with
him for half an hour before he went out.
have his best wishes, Gertrude; and
your mothers also. All, my dear, you
can find no excuse for turning from me
now"
Gertrude rose. He placed her hand on
his arm and they walked together up the
path. Lady Grace looked Mt them from
the window with a smile of welcome Sir
| Eyerard nodded to her.
y remembrance rushed into Lady