Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-22

did not speak How could l answer this pet
ted, spoiled darling of fortune VINO mad never peen
denied anything in all her life? Taklng her mana
in mine-the one upon which she wore my little
pledge of love, I kissed it, 1t had grown loose
upon her finger My heart smote me- / had In
tended to ask for it, to save her the pain OF re-
storing it. | could not do it. Slipping 1t back and
forth upon her finger gravely thoughtfully, real
lied that had made all of my calcuauons VIII
out considering Dorothy. That she should suHer
from the changed conditions mad never seriously
occurred to | was shocked by the cnange ap-
parent in her fragile hand and realized that the
heroic treatment which might bear could not pc
endured perhaps, by Dorothy. The sudden wrench
| had planned could not be thought OF at present
Time and diversion must be relied upon to bring
about the change in attitude toward each
other; at least her attitude toward me-
AS we sat silent, our hearts reacned OUT lor eaci
other We were drawn closer together. We seemed
to understand each the other without words; she
was the first to speak.
Sweetheart, have seemed forward tonight!
have not meant to be so. From my own heart,
understand yours; all of the trials and difficulties
which beset you. We have loved each other since
we were babies. You have never asked me TO De
your wife, butt always knew that you meant TO
do so;-and always meant to be your vile, some
day. 1t would have broken my heart II you had
loved anyone else, just as 1t would nave broken
yours If had loved another;-and"
"And now, dear, everything is changed. can
ask you now because-because, dear Dorothy,
am not ready to take care OF Wlfe;-and-De-
cause l am not willing to ask you to walt 1or
ml.-tO VI
your youth waiting,-for me; you don't know, you
can't imagine, dear Dorothy, how hard this IS. III
nothing had happened, you might have been mine
now"
position and-and / don't intend to embarrass
you in any way, only ask one thing: let me De
your comrade;-your best friend,-your"
"Don't say it. Dorothy, I wanted you once Tor
nv sister but Nam Chloe told me it would never
do in the world, and it wouldn't"
'You don't want me for sister? Neither do
want to be your sister We are agreed. But we
are to be friends?"
Eyes the best of friends
and you are to come to me with all OF your
troubles, and hopes, and ambitions
"Yes and in return you promise to marry tne
very first man that asks you;-if you really ana
truly love him; and
"If he can take care of me?' -,
mo; many man able to take care Oh you VIII
want you. 1t must be only the one whom you
really and truly love- - -
"Ill agree to that, one condition
Don't make it too hard.
"It ought to be easy.
Name it-but be merciful"
"In order to spare you the burden OF an ola
maid on your mind, promise to marry une nIst
man that asks me,-if l really and truly love
bin,-on short notice-providing you promise TO
let me know the very first moment that you nno
Yourself able to take of wife-eUen IN the tsn'eSt
loee bit of an apartment; that is, give me cnance
is it bargain?' I'll,
"Well,-yes-provided you are not too quick
about falling in love- 1t Will take me iltie eiile
Won know to get over loving you,-or-or-to se.
. settled salary sufficient for such an emergency
and find an apartment, and furnish it, and all that
II seems to me we should set some sort OF
limit" 80,
"I am agreed. Say within year,?
'rThe very tiniest apartment?
Say, five rooms?"
"And YOU won't go out great deal; or make
many new acquaintances; with men'-you KNOW
81 will stay in If you say so
"And see only me-"
"Well-that will be rather hard on me, OF
Ty, - oonorouc I'll see no