The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1909-07-30

week Captain Jim faced the empty
stand opposite his window. Then he
went down to the waterside street
and found there destitution, at once
pitiful and reassuring.
ut isn't your love 1 am asking for,
dear" he said to her gently as at the
end Of half hour he found himself
holding her trembling fingers and
smoothing her hair. 81 couldn't expect
that But if you will give me what is
left, the right to take care Of you and
yours, God knows 1t will be precious
trust"
He felt himself more than ever be-
fore to be "Old Ben Bolt' as he said
this.
Captain Jim had no fine phrases, but
months Of effort had made him mar
vel Of self control. He stood quite
still, though every nerve was tense
with longing to clasp the slim little
figure to his breast. In fact, he hardly
dared breathe when at last Kate drop
ped her head against his arm for ac-
quiescence and broke into soft sob
bing A guess at what was in his
heart, he told himself, would have
frightened her out of his reach forever.
The six weeks that followed were q
mixture of paradise and purgatory to
him. 1t was hard, indeed, to play the
decorous, fatherly lover when his
whole soul cried out for the touch Of
her lips on his and every swish Of her
dress against him set his pulses throb-
bing. But he did 1t. and well.
His paradise proved a FOOLS, how
ever. Walking along the main street
one evening, with Kate on his arm,
Hank Raynor's unmistakable self pass
ed the two almost at elbow touch.
There was q livid scar along the ap
partitions cheek. Kate did not see him,
but pang like death went through
"Old Ben Bolt" The sight Of that
handsome, devil-may-care face seemed
to sound his doom.
During the next four and twenty
hours Captain Jim worked out his bit
ter problem. Cost what 1t might to
his own self respect, he would tell Kate
the truth as he knew 1t concerning
Hank Raynor. He could do that If
she had been his young sister, but in
honor he must free her from her prom
ise to himself.
He had thought of way out Of her
financial difficulties, but it was not
necessary she should know that yet
or, indeed, the cost to his own heart
of these last few months,
II have come to give you back what
asked that first night, Kate, but l
must tell you something it will be
hard for you to BEAR" he said to her
hoarsely as he stood in the little par
l0r, whose very plainness had grown
dear to him.
A flush ran into Kate's cheek, but it
died there, leaving white line around
her lips. "Old Ben Bolt" gripped the
back of the chair in front of him.
II suppose you have seen Raynor?"
he went on.
Kate's color rushed back in a rosy
flood. Her eyes dropped for an in
stant; then, shy, but brave, they looked
straight into Captain Jim's own.
Eyes, have seen him and--his wife,"
she answered, with little laugh. "He
brought her from Philadelphia. lit
was q good thing l had found out be-
fore that-that l didn't care most for
him, after all, wasn't 1t, you dear old
Ben BoltT"
The room reeled round Captain Jim.
Out of its chaos Kate's face grew
flushed and smiling still, but with sus-
piciously luminous eyes. Then did
this "Ben Bolt" give a great gasp as
the truth burst upon him. He took
two long strides with outstretched
arms, and second later Kate was
quite lost in the big, warm embrace
her dark hour had taught her was her
hearts true haven
Soused.
Wife-My husband came home from
the club last night with such a swelled
head that haven't been able to arouse
him today. Neighbor-Why don't you
try pouring pitcher Of water over his
head? Wife-I did that very thing,
but the only thing he did was to call
out for an umbrela.-Fliegende Blat-
ter