Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-30

Very we'll" said the doctor "It said-it said: Now the way is bridg- ed to your wife"
 Your wife? You are a married man?"
 No. no" was the laughing re- sponse
 "Oh, I see you are engaged. And waiting for a practice. Whats her name?"
 The doctor hesitated at that. The atmosphere seemed reeking with crime; he hardly liked to utter her name in it.
 Out with it!" commanded MT. Os. Ter, explosively.
 Elena Blythe"
 A singular tremor shook the old mans lips just then. But under the circumstances that was not remark able. He was silent for a few mo- ments.
 When you can go east" said Mr. Osler, after the brief silence, Ego straight and marry your Elena Blythe out of hand. Don't wait for money. That will come. It always does come"
 With other things. to those who wait," said the doctor lightly. "Ah, here comes your bulwark of defense, the legal gentleman"
 Well, after you have told him all you have told me of this precious af- fair, I will not detain you from your dinner. And I think the sense of having done your duty, and of having saved an old man from two black hearted sinners. will give you a good sauce to appetite" said Mr. Osler.
 All that was some months ago. And now Dr. Ballantyne was back from California spending a brief vacation in his old home town. Just from palm and orange, the rough airs. the bare boughs, the hurrying folk, made contrast that warmed his heart even if his blood were chilled. Everything was pleasant, and his soul was buoy ant, for he was going to see Elena.
 There was curious humility about him for an instant, as he stood at the entrance of the Blythe drawing. room, and the thick curtains fell be- hind him. There was a proud lift ing of the splendid head and a flash of the proud eyes, and an apparition in the palest green fioated toward him, radiant, smiling-as if star had opened and let her out. he thought. She was holding out both hands to him. as he had seen her so often in his dreams.
 The next moment she was in his arms
 But directly he released her, partial ly released her, holding her off and gazing at her.
 q must tell you" he said, hoarsely. "that I am not altogether what you have thought me"
 T don't know what you mean!" she exclaimed.
 This. While I was gone a great temptation came to me that would have put wealth into my hands. It would have given me power to speak 10 your father. It would have made our marriage at once possible. And and I hesitated. To think that the man who had your love could hesi tate"
 "Is that all?" she cried joyously. You quite frightened me! You are human and mortal, then. like the rest of us"
 You are not!' he cried. You are an angel!"
 Dear mel" she said, smoothing her lovely disheveled hair. If you had said Yes to your temptation. I might have had-well. no respect for you. But then if you had not hesi. tated. I might have had less. Iwant to marry a human being. not a god. But I could have-should have loved you just the same"
 "Elena!"
 "Oh, yes. And then as for wealth n your hands-why. you don't know Oe course you don't know. I only tnew myself yesterday. Cousin Mat hew Osler. poor man, He is not a cousin at all. but my mother was his irst love, and he has always had an interest in me. though he lived 5000 niles away and have seen him only 'nce. But that time he said was ny mother come to life. The dear nan is dead: and he has made me his leir. And don't you think that will 'e enough for you and me? He was rich. Millions. many mil ions. So rich that I can't compre- Iend it,"
 The world was swimming and around Dr. Ballantyne. If he sofa had not been beside him he Tould have fallen to the floor. He cit as if fate. fortune. heaven itself. ad been trying and testing him, he ad been weighed in the balance. and e had just missed having been found Tanting.
 And as for speaking to my father" CT voice was going on like a silver ell long way oil though she sat eside him. and his arms were about CT. Fl heard him say this morning hat he would rather give me to an onorable American than to a royal rince.-
 Thank God. then, Thank Cod, have been through the fire" he ex- aimed. But I came out of it-- "Unscathed," she said.