Arizona republican., 1909-07-26

leaned QOWf1 and ms muStdChe brushed the WTln ked cheek The wthered hand nestled in the clasp of the mans strong fingers.
 Dear boy-dear boy! I knew that nothing would keep you-on getting my cable" His head turned weakly on the pillow. Stella, he said to the young girl this is Gilbert"
 In the subdued light of the sickroom the girls beau tul face seemed pale and ethereal she turned to Gilbert and gave him her hand. He took it gently in his and bowed as he raised his lips; then his eyes met hers and the color swept into his face and famed
 "Gbert" said the old man. feebly Stella has scented for sake to have the ceremony performed at once"
 " fl once!" cried Gilbert his blue eyes opening wide What do you mean by 0t once, grandfather"
 The girl threw him a swift look then dropped her eyes Her pale face turned deeply crimson.
 The voice of the old man querulous. The doc ;ors that my heart IS very bad Gilbert; it is apt to life to you two dear children wedded-' the feeble voice grew plaintlvc My entire fortune IS divided between you two. Why should you not marry now2 You are both heartfreehave both expressed your sent to marry each other day. Why not at once, to let old man. who loves you dearly, die happy1"
 He searched their faces appealingly Gilbert glanced at the girl her eyes met his with look of cool inquiry. The color had faded from her face leaving quite pale
 "Of course grandfather" he answered. awkwardly; proved by-eh-Miss Stewart and yourself" lie glanced somewhat helpessly toward the girl searching in vain for some hint as to her state of mind During the past month Gilbert in his capacity of secretary of the great Saltwater Ship Building Company, had calmly ifaced the fire of Russas foremost diplomats who had striven vainy to buy his ships on credit Now, he found himself in state of hopeless confusion at the first glance of the grayeyed girl whom for years he had regarded as his promised wife.
 "I have always hoped that Miss Stewart might some day do the honor of becoming my wife" he said, rather sfly, but it unfair to her, grandfather, to ask her to marry me upon the second day of our acquaintance.
 The patriarch looked up at his grandson with an pression of affectionate irony
 Surely, you be solicitous of Stellas happiness than I am Gilbert?"
 Gilbert threw another bewdered look toward the girl Her calm acceptance of the situation amazed him, for Ao4ra, stiveness, hers did.
 "Of course grandfather-" he stanmered-"if-if you and Miss Stewart wish it I-I shall be only too honored-'
 Then let US say tomorrow at ive,' said the old 
 "To-morrowl" echoed Gilbert.
 Really Gilbert" protested his grandfather, |" I had looked for little more gallantry on your partl"
 T think that you are both bit unjust to me" Gil tert said; that you fail to catch my point of view Nothing would make happier than this marriage if not afraid that Miss Stewart may have given her consent entirely through sense of duty-or obliga- The old man raised wrinkled hand "Now you are doing an injustice, Gilbert Stella is acting of her Gilbert bowed The high color had left his face and his breath was coming quickly.
 My house is in order, he said Miss Stewart does great honor. l shall try to be worthy of it."
 Stella flashed quick look toward him; he met 1t steadily, and this time the girl who reddened
 The pitfu features of the invalid were frightened with glow of pleasure.
 q knew dear boy-I understood!" he said and reached out for the strong hand of his grandson. what in your mind-what should be in the mind of gentleman of delicacy-bu feared that Stella might be offended" His voice quavered with fatigue. "Now am growing little tired, my dears; and be- sides" smile frightened the benignan face, "you two must grow acquainted since you to be married to- An, well, understanding comes quickly when the heart IS young
 Gilbert pressed his hand then stepped the door and held it open As the bride-elect passed through she looked up and her eyes met his dehantly. At the foot of the stairs she turned.
 Twill you come into the drawingroom MT. Crom- well? 1 wish to talk to you"
 "I am quite at your service" said Gilbert He fol- lowed her to acove which overlooked little garden Stella sank into dark corner of the dvan Gilbert re- mained standing (
 "I hope that you quite understand, Mir. Cromwell" said the girl, with of sarcasm, that have agreed to be married to,morrow "Yes" answered Gilbert. "I have finally managed to get it through my head"
 Stella's color heightened And you also understand, I am quite sure that the 1Oeddng ceremoHy she paused meaningly is for the sake of giving happiness to old man in his few remaining days He need never know that we have been married only in He need never learn that arc not living together as-as-husband and wife"
 berts clear eyes had not left her face she talked and for some reason Stella found it difficult to meet his lock- There sternness in 1t which awakened her combativeness
 q do not think "-he said slowly! do not think that I would care to trick man to whom owe as mg1h o be eO eSoT 6G T aded om se @
 "Is possible, she demanded, that you do not see it as do?" I'm afraid that QOnt klOW HOW SOu scC u, iC- piled Gilbert, coldly.
 As any one would see itl" cried Stella" as mere form to be gone through to pay de6t to man to whom we are both bound by every law of gratitude and decency."
 "Nof to deceivcl" said Gilbert, strruly.
 Stella drew back if he had struck her.
 "Dcccize! How dare you say that to mel" Her voice choked with passion.
 "I: seems to me- Gilbert said, jelly that since you are obliged any way to do this thing, 1t would be rather do at all than to do 1t under false pretenses"
 If we were to be married would not have full filled all that had promised?" Stellas voice qua vered Would we not have made him happy?
 "Yes" sa'1 Gilbert. i've should have fed hin-with stolen food CTo be frank, wondered why you were so ready marry stranger, even though 1t was always understood that we to marry some day. l failed to catch your viewpoint Such expedient had never occurred to me. Perhaps you right; fancy