Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-09-10

! why are you here? LETT you out
there with--her. made your way
clear Why have you come back? What
more can do? Dear God! What more
can do?" She was painting as II des-
perately frightened
"There is but one thing more you
can do 10 make me happy. You can be
my wife,"
"But don't understand" She shook
her head hopelessly. "You are testing
with me. You love Miss Wayland."
mo Miss Wayland leaves tonight,
and shall never see her again.
Then you won't marry herr"
mo"
A dull color rose to Cherry Malotte's
cheeks; she swallowed as II her throat
was dry, and said, slowly:
| Then she refused you in spite OF
everything and you have come to me
because Of what told you this after.
noon. You are doing this out>of pity
OR is 1t because you are angry with
her? No, no, Boyd! won't have it.
don't want your PITY don't want
what she cast off"
1T has taken me long time to find
myself, Cherry, for have been
blinded by VISION" he answered. Il
have been dream ing, and never saw
clearly till today. l came away OF my
own free will; and l came straight tn
you because it is you love and shall
always love-"
The girl suddenly began to beat her
hands together.
"You-forget what I-have been!"
she cried, in voice that tore her
lovers heartstrings. "You can't want
to-marry me?"
Tonight" he said, simply, and herd
out his arms to her. II love you and
want you. That is all I know or care
about"
| He found her upon his breast, sob
bling and shaking as il she had sought
shelter there from some great peril.
He buried his face in the soft masses
! OF her hair, whispering fondly to her
till her emotion spent itself. She
turned her face shyly up at length and
pressed her lips to his. Then, holding
herself away from him, she said. with
half-doubtful yet radiant look:
1T is not too late yet. viii give you
one final chance to save yourself"
He shook his head.
"Then l have done my duty" She
snuggled closer to him. "And have you
no regrets?"
"only one. am sorry that i can't
give you NOR, than my name. may
have to go out into the world and be-
gin all over If Mr.. Wayland carries out
his threat. may be the poorest OF the
poor"
"That will be my opportunity to
show how we'll love you. You can
be no poorer than in this world $
goods"
NINE"
Il have no mine,' said the girl. mot
even the smallest interest in one.
"But-I don't understand
She dropped her eyes. "Mr. billiard
/ is a hard man to deal with. had 70
give him all my share in the claims.
II suppose you mean you sold out 70
him."
mo! When found you could not
raise the money. I gave him my snare
in the mine. With that as a considera-
ton. he made you the loan. You arc
not angry, are you!
angry Emerson's tone conveyed
supreme gladness. "You don't Know
how happy you have made me.
"Hark!" She laid finger upon MS
lips. InrOugn Tie VI coIHAceo A.A5.'
there came the faint rumble OF ships
chains. -
'"The Grande Daniel" he cried. "she
sails at the flood tide"
! They stood together in the open
doorway Of the little house and
watched the yachts lights as they desr
cribed a great curve through the dark
ness, then slowly faded into nothing
ness down the bay. Cherry drew her
self closer to Boyd.
"What wonderful Providence
guides us after ALL she said. That
girl had everything in the world. and
| I was poor-so poor-until this hour.
God grant she may some day be as ricn
as T."
Out on The Grande Dame the girl
who had everything in the world main
tanned lonely vigil at the rail, strain
ing with tragic eyes until the sombre
shadows that marked the shores OF
the land she feared had shrunk to q
faint, low-lying streak on the horizon.
Then she turned and went below.
numbed by the knowledge that she
was very poor and very wretched and
had never understood.
THE END.