New-York tribune., 1909-01-24
CHAPTER XIV.


confronted him with crises of moment. but he had
never contemplated anything that imposed 50
the approaching interview What means young
Haliane would take To induce his sister to come
with him. how much of what had tranSpred he
would tell her CfOrnlv had means OF knowing. Ot
course but he felt confident that by hook or crook
the Young woman would be produced and that
few minutes longer and he would be face 70 face
with her
He did not in the least know how to begin or what
to saw and the more he thought of II the more din
cult became the situation. He felt like a man VINO
has found a pearl of great price which he could pos
siblv claim for himself only to be confronted with
an imperiOuS demand from a power he could not
control that he must throw It aside. nav. more
that he must cast it down and tTampc IT under too
He knew that he had 10 choose between his love ana
his duty between the dearest wish OF his heart and
the right course that there would hc made upon
him a demand for sacrifice almost greater tnin
mortal could bear, that the conSequrn-es Would
not be merely personal to hImSelt.-he could nave
faced those with more phllosOphy.-bur that they
would be terribly crushing 10 the being above Ill
others dear To him
1t was we'll that the time for reflection Vas short
1t is better for a who has TO do great things to
do them before the mental and spiritual enemy mas
time to inStil doubts into the mind And It was
with feeling of relief in his growing apprehension
and misery therefore that ne heard the front door
open He heard voices that he knew m the hall anu
in another moment the library door was opened ana
Miss Haldane entered the room alone lie iidI
risen on her approach and stood confronting he'-
SHE was evidently greatly surprised - did not
~ know YOU were here she began Livingstone
did not tell l did not expect
1t was to see me. or rather that might see YOU
that YOU were brought here. and alone am respon-
sible
1t Is most extraordinary proceeding said the
girl nervouSly. q" l can't imagine why WAS orousnL
YOU T."
1t was necessary for me to see YOU. returned
the
Then why didn't YOU come 70 my house
Il could not -
Why nOt?"
There are reasons that viii probably render nix
forever an unwelCOme visitor To your house
L know. political reasons. but they have 10
effect upon me
L am afraid that they will have effect upon
YOU Miss Haldane and because of that fear l have
ventured on this unusual course, for which l '9"-
der YOU my sincerest apologies. -
| believe, said the girl slowly. that something
very serious must have happened, or you would n0'
have had me brought here
Something serious has happened. or IS about "
happen" .,- .,,,,,rs
are of trivial Importance VIII you tell me "H''
YOU want2'
You might reasonably suppose that l might
want an answer To my letter
Eleanor started to speak. but he checked her-
Il can't imagine. of course, that your teehnsS
toward me have changed IN the least degree IN t IL
short time that has elapsed since told YOU io'eu
YOU.
L don't know what my feelings are said the girl
frankly: but 1 don't think they have grea'S
changed"
OF course not. How could they
And with that knowledge. why did YOU make iie
formal offer of yourself why did YOU ask me 70 Ue
your wife,"
| was in honor bound TO do so
In honor?"
You know of course that it Is the dearest WISH
of my heart and that were circumstances L otleL
than they are | should have waited more ntlll6
season to have begged YOU to marry me; but SollS
thing is about to happen that would perhaps reluo
1t impossible for me to approach YOU IL that vi NJ
the case, | wanted YOU feel that L was WnoHl Wnl