The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1910-12-30

W:tS greatly interested In bis work
and in the future which he described
IN such glowing terms, and-well, ut
last we became engaged. He had de-
termined never to reveal his love for
me. for my money doomed up a great
obstacle to his pride, but the question
had seemed to ask itself as we walked
together que moonlight evening. and
after that we were very happy until
learned the truth. 1t was told to aunt
by a mutual friend. Paul had been in
love all his life with poor little Bessie
Roberts, then teacher of the village
school.
And when she had discovered
my fondness for him she agreed to
sacrifice her life's happiness that
through my wealth he might realize
his one great ambition. They were
| still known t. meet occasionally, the
| friend had said. and the girls eyes
would be wet as they parted at the
pier.
was Indignant when | first heard
the story and tried to believe my
faith in Paul unchanged; then he be-
| gan to send regretful little notes beg
ging of from various pleasure trips
which we had planned. pleading as bis
excuse tie urgent need Of working
steadily 'lpon II portrait which must
be finished at the given time. AS l
was returning alone from the pier n
day me the girl who had been point
n1 mt IN ma me ElocSio nhar ShN
came from the direction of Paul's stu
dio. and. following an impulse. l re-
traced my steps and entered the sunny
little room.
1t was entirely empty, but upon
an easel stood Il covered picture, and
as | raised the drapery Bessie Roberts
pretty face. pictured with unusual
beauty. confronted me. l ran blindly
up the sands to our hotel and wrote Il
note to Paul telling him that ! was
convinced he desired only my money
and refusing to see or hear from him
again" The girls voice faltered.
eff he had not deceived me-" she said
haltingly, II might have found a way
to help them BOTH"
The old keeper aroused himself with
a start. His pipe had gone out. He
spoke huskily.
II knew Bessie Roberts as l did
Paul." he said. They have always
been friends-no more. And now she
is married to a rich broker fellow who
came to the point about the time you
did last year. They have a big sum-
mer home over there, and Paul's por-
trait of Bessie hangs in the hall. The
broker fellow paid him we'll for paint
ing it, they say, and I fancy it was
M of Bessie's ways of helping her
old friend en-"
The girl sat speechless. Her face
had grown very white.
"Don't you fret, child" the old man
said compassionately. He'll come
back. for I've found that love is like a
light shining ever stormy waters-it
generally leads rs back to port. and
bless me-" he exclaimed. 1--we got an
GRAND to do owe at the other island.
1t will only take a tify. See that
black cloud yonder? That means a
breeze and a %shower-be all over pref
ty soon, but promise me you won't
start out to navigate till / get back"
He was already running down the
path to his boat.
''Promise"." he called back. and the
girl nodded a smiling assent.
The old lady had fallen asleep over
her knitting. so she stood uncertain
for :, III in the great stone door
way. then, entering. assembled the iron
steps. which resounded beneath her
tread as she followed the winding way
up and UP. coming out at last upon a
little balcony with the lake and hills
stretching far below. The breeze came
up quickly. tearing ut her skirts and
tossing the hair about. her eyes as she
CROPPED confusedly for the handle of
the little iron door, but even as she
reached to grasp it the door blew shut.
there was a metallic click. and She
knew that in closing the door had
locked itself.
Then in vain she pressed her weight
against it as the raindrops fell upon
her face: then. leaning diZzily over.
she tried to make her voice reach
the deaf ears below. The Keepers
wife would think she had gone away
with him. she reflected dcspairingly.
She sank down Oh the narrow plat
form and looked at her watch-5
o'clock. In an hour or two at the most
he would return to light the humps
it she could only fight off this strange
giddiness till then. Resolutely she
buried her face in her arms. fearing
to look down. Hours afterward-or
could it have been moments? -she
heard steps bounding up the stairs. the
doorway thrown open, and she meow
cred her eyes to look up into Pauls
own eager ones.
oh" she cried breathlessly. II have
been alone so long!!"
lie drew the wet little figure quickly
into shelter.
you'll be alone long again if.
l a help it," he said %fervently.
And just then the blue cap of the
l;rbtbo,co Eoonor amman roll ot fb.. RIM,