The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-07-16

I who was standing by the bedside OF the
is that you. Gbert?" asked the old man
Yes. grandfather Gilbert stepped to the bedside
leaned down and his crisp mustachc brushed the wrin
the mans strong fingers
hee6 DS5@ Sooy 1odsi5 se6 boy Eneg that nothing would
is Gilbert" ''''e s"'
In the subdued light of the sck-room the girls beau
utM face seemed pale and ethereal she turned to
Gilbert and gave him her hand He took it gently in
his and bowed he raised his lips then his eyes
met hers and the color swept into his face and famed
up TO the edges of his hair.
Gilbert" said the old man fccbly Stella has con-
tented for my sake TO have the ceremony performed
At Ogcr" cried Gilbert his blue eyes opening wide
T mat 90 you mean by at once; grandfather?
he Glrl threw him a swift look, then dropped her
eyes, Her pale face turned deeply crimson.
The voice Of the old was Qucrulous. Tho doc
tors say that my heart very bad Gilbert; il apt
fail me at any moment 1t has been the desire of my
lc TO sec you two dear children welded the feeble
Toice grew piantivG My entire fortune is divided
between you two Why shou Id YOU not marry now?
You both heartfrechavc both expressed your
sent TO marry each other day Why not at once,
TO LET an old man, who loves you dearly die happy"
He searched their faces appealngy. Gilbert glanced
at the glrl her eyes met his with look OF cool inquiry
The color had faded from her face leaving quite pale
"Of course, grandfather" he answered, awltwardly;
should not think of opposing any arrangement ap
proved by-eh-MisS Stewart and yourself" He
glanced somewhat hcplcssy toward the girl searching
in vain for some hint to her state of mind. During
the past month Gilbert in his capacity of secretary OF
1
faced the fire of Russias foremost diplomats who had
striven yanly to buy his ships on credit Now, he
found himself in state of hopel less confusion at the
FIRST glance of the grayed girl whom for years he had
regarded as his promised wife
Il have always hoped that Miss Stewart might some
day do me the honor of becoming my wife he said,
rather stify, but it unfair to her grandfather,
to ask her to marry me upon the second day Of our
The patriarch looked up at his grandson with an ex-
preston of affectonatc irony
Surely you can be, be no more soIeitous Of SeIa's
Gilbert threw another bcwdcrcd look toward the girl
Her calm acceptance OF the situation amazed him. for
sitiveness, hers did.
OF course, -grandfather-' he stammered-',f-if
you and Miss Stewart wish it, II shall be only too
Then let US say tomorrow at FIVE" said the old
"To-morrow!" echoed Gilbert
Really, Gilbert" protested his grandfather. q had
looked for little more .gallaDtry your part!'
Il think that you are both bit unjust 10 me-" Gil
bert sad /" that you fail TO catch my point of view.
were not afraid that Miss Stewart may have given her
consent entirely through sense OF duty-or obliga-
ton
The old man raised wrnled hand. Now you arc
dong injustice Gilbert Stella is acting of her
Gilbert bowed The high color had left his face and
his breath coming quickly
My house is in order" he said Miss Stewart does
great honor | shall try to be worthy of it
steadily. and this time it was the girl who reddened.
The pul features Of the invalid were lightcncd with
glow OF pleasure
81 knew. dear boy--I understood" he said and
reached out for the strong hand of his grandson.
saw what was in your mnd-wfat should be IN the
might be offended" His voice quavered with fatigue
"Now ] am growing little tired my dcarS; and be-
sides" sniic liehcncd the benlgnant face, you
must grow acquainted since you are TO be married to-
All, well; understanding comes quickly when
the heart young
held il open As the bride-elect passed through she
looked up and her eyes met his dehanuy. At the foot
"Wil YOU come into the drawing room, Mr. Crom-
we'll I wish to talk TO YOU
" | am quite your service, said Gilbert lie to-
lowed her TO an alcovc which overlooked little garden
Stella sank into dark corner OF the dvan Gilbert re-
NAMED standing. 90.
Il hope that you quite understand. Mr. Cromwell
said the girl, with trace Of sarcasm, that we have
agreed 10 be married tomorrow,
Yes answered Gilbert have hnaliy fnanaeeo
TO get it through my head"
Sclla's color heightened And you also understand
~, o, errc that the 7gcdding CEREMONY she paused
meanngy for the sake of giving happiness to an old
man in his few remaining days He need never Know
that we have been married only IN name lie need never
learn that not living together as-as-luSOa'u
GbeFts clear eyes had not left her face she talked
and for some reason Stella found difficult 10 meet ms
look There was sternncss III 1t wh'oh a"aNeieu "''
combavene5s ~, , , .,;t.
that | would to trick man to wnom ! owe Do
much as | do to my grandfather. Would you
All Of the color faded from Stellas face. co..
Is it possible she demanded that you do not sec
Tin afraid that ! don't know how you see H. re-
Piled Gilbert coldly -.
form 10 he conc through to pay debt 70 man TO
whom we arc both bound by every law OF gratitude and
dcccncy'
Stella drew back as II he had struck her m -
DrCrisrl How dare you say that to me! lef
III Gems to me" Gilbert said ciy, that since you
arc moi Obliged in any way do this thing would De
rather nicer not TO do 1t at all Than 10 do under iaS
prccrscs' g., -, IT,, ,,1-
6lled ali that VIC had promised Stelas voicc qua
ycrcd Woud VIC not have made him happy;
Yes said Gilbert we should have ,J red ldm n%' cTs 90
ready o marry a stranger, though II WAS Away
understood that we two TO marry some day
failed 10 catch your viewpoint Such an eNpeuInt @ I'd.