The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-03-23
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II he will accept a young girls
hand"
"Is the young girl a friend Of
yours?"'
1.-THE young girl is myself"
do you intend to marry?"
Eyes" $
"And you wish me to undertake
this negotiation" asked Raymond,
much stupefied.
mot exactly"
please tell me what you do
mean"
"You once told me that you were
willing to devote your life to me. "
81 did"
II know we'll the exaggerations
of lovers, for already 10 men have
offered to devote their lives to
me-"
II am not astonished at that"
yet there is but one man whose
offer trust, and that man is your
self, Raymond"
ooh, thanks!"
"Still, you are far from imagin-
ing what l am going to ask of YOU"
81 have told you already there is
no sacrifice that l would not make
for YOU"
"You know that in our society
some of us are forbidden to marry.
In the. position that l hold, l am
not allowed to marry; do you see
why?"
Eyes, I understand that marriage
does not fit the life Of an apostle"
And besides, love Is laxative"
Truly, love opens the heart. l
could never have a secret from"
"Hush!" interrupted Wanda,
quickly.
"Why?"
1.-THE word love must never be
pronounced between you and me.
This is the state of the case" she
continued. "In my fathers house
my every action is fettered, and l
cannot fulfill the mission that will
fulfill at the risk of my life. My
father suspects me, he watches
me; he will soon find out some
thing. There is danger not only
for me but for my friends"
And you wish to marry so as to
escape from under the control Of
your father?"
II wish to marry without marry
ing"
81 think l understand YOU"
81 wish to contract sham mar
riage. BY marrying I shall obtain
my independence, and likewise my
mothers fortune, which at pres
ent Is In my fathers hands"
"And whom have you chosen as
your husband?'
"You, Raymond"
"Me! mel" exclaimed the young
Frenchman.
81 must have a great confidence
in your devotion to me, must I not?
For l know that the feeling you
have for me is not entirely frater-
nal"
my feeling for you, dear Wanda,
shall be whatever you wish 1t to
be-"
Are you sure?"
II swear to you 1t Is So"
"But l must tell you one thing
more. which may perhaps arouse
your jealousy"
At these words Raymond grew
pale; but in a moment he answer
ed:
Having no pretension to your
love, how could l be jealous?"
"Will you never be jealous?"
Never"
Even II love another man,
while l bear your name"
do you love another MANI" said
Raymond, in a choking voice.
He is not free to marry"
AS Wanda spoke, Raymond hid
his face In his hands and sat for
some moments perfectly still.
When When he raised his face 1t
was bathed In tears.
"Oh!" cried Wanda, "what have
I done? Raymond, forgive me! l
had to tell you the whole truth; If
I had supposed your love for me
was so strong ! never should have
thought of proposing this marriage
to you"
1.-THE shock has been terrible"
said Raymond, "but 1t is over. For
give me for my weakness. Here
after you will find In me brother.
slave; the most devoted brother,
the most humble slave"
'But the marriage?"
at can take place whenever you
will. belong to you; you can use
me as you please. It is great happi-
ness for me to live by your side, to
know that you have such conf
dence In me-"
Remember. you are not going
to marry princess. The day
leave my fathers house l shall lay
aside my rank and my fortune"
Promise me that you will not
cut off your hair nor wear blue
spectacles." said Raymond.
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