The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-06-12


others, had passed since Brent Lawrence
said good bye to Elba Sander that
spring morning. To him, it had been
year OF alternating hope, and doubt
more than once, he had started to visit tbs
little mountain home-from the lawyer he
had learned that the widow was still
there-but reason whispered wait. Haste
might Illustrate his wishes, be patient,
and wait. While any thing but patient,
he had waited, and the time had passed
some way. Again, he had stood in the
presence Of the woman he loved, had of
fered that love, and had it thrust back
upon him.
He was surprised, dazcd, almost stun
ned. Knowing what that look had re-
vealed, he could not believe that she
would reject his love, and strangle her
own, wrecking the happiness Of both.
From her own lips, he had learned that
it was even &c.
BY the unhappy woman, the time had
been spent in fierce struggle between con-
science and heart. So shocked had she
been by the sudden and horrible death
Of her husband, that for months, she
thought of nothing else. AS time soften
ed the blow, and, in a measure laid the
specter, remorse, that haunted her to the
verge Of madness, her thoughts gradually
turned to other things. One Of the 9th
err things, was Brent Lawrence.
She knew that some day he would
como back and ask her to be his wife.
She also knew how hard it would be to
refuse what she, so pitifully longed for,
the companionship of one who understood,
and could make her life complete Brent
Lawrence was this one, and with him she
was afraid to trust herself, now that she
was free. Her heart was so tired of
husks and longed for something to feed
on. At times she was tempted to leave
her home and go into hiding, where he
could never find her. When conscience
prompted fight, heart pleaded for one
more meeting. Just once more to hear
that voice, and look into those eyes.
If Elba wavered during the period Of
waiting, when the moment Of decision
came, she was firm.
"This is not what had expected, =
Brent Lawrence said bitterly, IT doubted
and feared, admit, but my keen disap-
pointment now, convinces me that hope
greatly overbalanced doubt. Surely ]
could not have been mistaken. / read q
different story In your face that night. =
Forget that please. Or remember il
only as safeguard against future
wrong. 8 Her voice was pleading sno
| pitiful.
sForgeti 1 would not forget II
could. Truly there il life in look.
The memory Of that one has kept mi
alive during the past year. Is it wron'
to lovei Then what world Of crime thi
is
IA love like ours is not hallowed. il
not smiled upon by the recording angel.
"Well, I I'M thinking more OF your ap
proval, just now, than the angels, know
ing that he is man, and my happiness
not dependent upon his smiles Mr.
Lawrence assumed cheerfulness he wat
far from feeling.
There was no answering ightness il
tone or manner when she said gravely
ssThis is to me, thing too serious fol
idle jest.
"serious but not sad, unless we max.
1t 80. Against that I'm guarding. Elba
have I been mistaken, do you care moth
ing for met Tell me the truth bite
though it may be as death. Any thini
is better than this suspense. These tor
turing doubts. Elba, tell me the truth. ;