Evening star., 1909-07-17

VNNMJ osi'n oid man ASKED '"'
ives. grandfather" Gilbert stepped TO
the bedside leaned down, ana MS ciisp
mustache touched the wrinkled cheeh.
The withered hand nestled In the Grasp VI
The mans strong fingers.
.Dear boy-dear boy! khe" ''''
nothing would keep you-on settihs my
cable" His head turned weakly Oh t"o
inflow. stella" he said 10 'he 'oui'e
girl, this is Gilbert.
In the subdued light of the SICK room
rho GIRLS beautiful face seemed pale and
ethereal as she turned TO diiDeil anu e
him her hand. lie took it gently In MS
and bowed as he raised it to MS hps'
tten his eyes met hers and the coior
s,,art into his face and famed up to the
edges of his hair
..,ilbert,' said the old man. feeoiy'
.steua has consented for my sake to have
the ceremony performed at once.
Al once." cried Gilbert, his blue eyes
opening wide. What do you mean os 1T
once, grandfather"
The girl threw him swift look, thsn
dropped her eyes. Her pale face turned
deeply crimson
The voice of the old man was querulous
..rbe doctors say that my heart is very
had. Gilbert; it is apt 10 fail me at any
moment. II has been the desire Of my
life TO see you two dear children we'd
ded-" the feeble voice grew plaintive.
MY entire fortune is divided between
Won two Why should you not marry
nov2 You are both heart-free-have both
EXPRESSED your consent TO marry each
other some day. Why not at once. to let
an old man, who loves you dearly, lie
h;-ppy?"
He searched their faces appealingly. Gil
bert glanced at the girl; her eyes met
his with look of cool inquiry. The color
had faded from her face. leaving it quite
pale.
..Of course, grandfather" he answered.
awkwardly; Il should not think Of op-
posing any arrangement approved by
eh-Miss Stewart and yourself He
glanced somewhat helplessly toward the
girl. searching in vain for some hint as
10 her state of mind. During the past
month Gilbert, In his capacity of secre-
rary of the great Saltwater Shipbuilding
Company, had calmly faced the fire "
Russias foremost diplomats who had
striven vainly to buy his ships on credit
Now, he found himself in a state of hope
less confusion at the first glance OF the
gray-eyed girl whom for years he had re-
gsrded as his promised wife.
4 have always hoped that Miss Stew
art might some day do me the honor of
becoming my wife,. he said, rather stifhy,
but it seems unfair TO her, grandfather,
to ask her to marry me upon the secoud
day of our acquaintance
The patriarch looked up at his grand
son with an expression of affectionate
irony.
Surely, you can be more solicitous
of Stella's happiness than | am, Gilbert?"
Gilbert threw another bewildered look
toward the girl. Her calm acceptance OF
the situation amazed him, for if ever
woman's face betrayed a highly strung
sensitiveness. hers did.
''Of course. grandfather-' he stam-
mered-'if-if you and Miss Stewart
wisn il, II shall be only too honored-"
Then let us say tomorrow at Ave."
said the old man.
Tomorrow" echoed Gilbert.
Really. Gilbert protested his grand
father. II had looked for little moro
gallantry on your part
II think that you are both bit unjust
to me-" Gilbert said that you fail to
catch my point of view. Nothing would
make me happier than this marriage IL
were not afraid that Miss Stewart may
have given her consent entirely through
sense Of duty-or obligation"
The old man raised a wrinkled hanJ
Now YOU are doing me an Injustice, Gil
bert. Stella is acting of her own free
will 3"
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 me great honor. ! shall try
10 be worthy of It."
Stella flashed a quick look toward him;
hc met IL steadily, and this time it was
the girl who Redeemed.
The pitiful features of the invalid were
Iightened with glow of pleasure.
Il knew. dear boy-I understood" he
said, and reached out for the strong haad
Of his grandson Il saw what was In
YOUR mind-what should be In the mind
of a gentleman OF delicaey-but / feared
that Stella might be offended" His voice
0uavered with fatigue. Now am grow
ing little tired, my dears. and BESIDES"
= smile lichtened the benignant face, you
two must grow acquainted since You
10 he married tomorrow. All, well. under
standing comes quickly when the heart is
Young
Gilbert pressed HIS hand. then stepped
10 the door and held IT open AS the
bride-eect passed through she looked UP
and her eyes met his defantly. At the
foot of the stairs she turned.
win you come into the drawing room,
Mr.. Cromwell? ! wish to talk TO you
Il quite at your service" said Gil
bert. lie followed her to an alcove which
overlooked a little garden. Stella sank
into a dark corner OF the divan, Gilbert
remained standing.
Il hope that you understand, Mr. Cro1-
WELL" said the girl, with trace of sar-
casm, that we have agreed to be mar
ried tomorrow"
Yes answered Gilbert. Il have final
IL managed 10 get II through my head"
Stella's color heightened And you also
understand. l quite sure. that he
wedding CEREMONY she paused meaning
ly. lis for the sake of giving happiness to