The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1907-11-09

you have said, az had no reason to
expect such words from you. l 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 calmness
that astonished herself, while her
heart was beating as if it would
burst it's way out and speak in its
own behalf. Il am Is years older
than you. Such marriage would be
absurd!'
Not If you loved me as I love you,''
he 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 a
man in the prime of life, gray
haired old woman. You will live to
see the time when you will thank
me for my decision tonight, although
it may seem cruel to you now"
But DR.. Bryant would not listen to
reason. Manlike, he clung to the
idea that he must have her, and all
considerations to the contrary were
OF NO avail. But SO skillful1y did she
disguise her feelings that he never
once thought to ask her the question
she feared to hear: DO you love
meg" A question she could not have
parried.
Only God and the plying angels
knew the warfare that went on in
Sarah Irving's soul that night, her
heart pleading SO strongly for the
acceptance of that dear love, while
her better judgment and the very
intensity of her love for him forbade
it.
1t was mo- wonder that breakfast
time found her unable to rise
If Sarah Irving ever prayed for
anything, she prayed that day for
strength to bear her cross. Never
once did she waver in the decision
she had made, never for an instant
admit the thought that she might do
otherwise. "For his dear sake I must
suffer- she said to herself, over and
over and over again.
When in late afternoon she had
gained strength to dress and come
downstairs, looking like the very
ghost of herself, she found a cousin
there calling, a Mrs. Greenfield.
You know how much we have
talked of going to California together,
Sarah she said, and now is your
opportunity. My husband and I are
going next week; so put on your
bonnet and go with u.s."
I WILL said Sarah, quietly. 1t
seemed to her as though God had
opened that very door of relief for
her.
She had been gone but few weeks
when Alice Irving, the oldest~daugh.
ter of the family, came home after
three years at popular boarding
school. DR.. Bryant had never seen
her, as she had returned for her last
year of school just before he came
to C}oVerdale. Ever after Sarah left
the one household theme had been
when Alice comes home," but he
had rather dreaded her coming.
Somehow he had pictured her as one
OF the regulation breadand-butter
misses, too impractical for life's re-
allt1es. Certainly he had no expec-
tat1on OF meeting one who could have
any Interest for him. Life seemed
somehow flat, stale and unprofitable''
since the night of that starlight ride,
and he could not fancy that any wom-
an but Sarah Irving would ever make
it seem otherwise.
When at last he found himself con-
fronted with the young lady In ques-
ton, his heart gave a. sudden bound.
It seemed to him as if Sarah Irving
herself had come back out of her
long past youth. The hair, the eyes,
the figure, the voice, all were
Sarah's
Don't you think she resembles Sis.
ter Sarah. DR.. Bryant?' asked the
fond father
She certainly does.'
"There!" cried Mrs. Irving, IT was
sure you would see it. We always
used to call her Sarah's girl, there