Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-07-14
LORRIE

mind so much if he weren't so cut
up. I'm afraid if he has to turn out
of the rectory, it will
Kill him." says Lorrie, in a
hushed whisper Yes, it would kill
him!" She rises, and going to the
window, presses her burning forehead
against the cold glass 1T would kill
him" she murmurs to herself, twice
thrice.
'It's an awful mess!" says Jack,
still pacing to and fro. There's no
his pipe disconsolately. There's no
time given to a fellow to turn round
ans look up some money. These
sharks will be down upon US in a
day or two, aud take every penny
we've got. Shouldn't wonder if they
sell the furniture from under us.
can't think how the poor governor
can have got let into it"
Sell the furniture" says Lorrie,
in a slow, dull voice Sell the furnit-
ure, and turn him out Of the rectory.
Yes, Jack, you are right, it would
Kill him"
Don't cry!" says Jack. "I'll go and
-and-hang it if l know what TO do
or where to go! Wait! By George!"
as if struck by sudden idea. "I'l go
to Seymour Melford. | don't know
whether he understands anything
about this kind of business, but his
father will, anyhow. I'll go and call
upon him, and tell him what a. mess
we're in"
"Stop!' says Lorrie, and her face
whitens as she catches at his sleeve
as he hurries to the door. do moth
ing of the kind-yet Waltz"
why? What's the matter? Oh, l
see! Yes. You would not like it.
Well, l don't know what to CO."
"Go-go back to papa. Go and COM
fort him, and-and wait there till i
come,' and she moves toward the
door,
'"But where are you going?" he
asks.
He goes slowly into the room, and
she pauses for moment with her
hand pressed to her bosom, her eyes
raised with a wild look of despair:
it passes in moment or two, and
with a set look upon her beautiful
face, a hard, cold determination in
her eyes, she opens the drawing room
door
Melford is standing by the window
hn Of no no
turns and comes toward her.
"Lorrie, what has happened?' he
says, bat his eyes drop before hers.
and the question sounds false and
strained.
81 have come to give you my an,
swer."
"Ah!" and he draws nearer
Wait! You-you asked me to
marry you
4 did do! 1t is the dearest wish
of my heart"
"You-you do not expect me ro-to
love you?"
81 will wait for that" he says;
wait with the sure hope that l shall
win your love!"
you will be content with-that?"
she says.
II will be content-more than con-
tent!"
Just now"-she pauses-"you
spoke of-of money-wealth'
Il did. / know it will not weigh
with you
at does! 1t does weigh with me!
If-if-I asked you to let me have
some money-now, if l asked you to
give-to lend me some money now,
would you-would YOU" she cannot
go further.
Would I give it to you?" he says,
eagerly, the light of triumph ay, and
of passion, beginning to CLEAN in his
eyes. Eyes; every penny I possess!
With both hands!" and he stretches
out his hands.
Then l do ask you. Not for my
self; but, but" she covers her face
with her hands and sinks into a chair.
'Lorrie, dearest!" he murmurs,
bending and taking her hand to his
lips. L know! Your father is in
trouble! l feared it. Can you doubt
that would help you? Why, whom
should you come to but me? How
much is it, dearest? See,' and he
tears open his coat and takes out his
check book, He had brought it in
readiness. There he jumps
up from the table where he has writ
ten something in the counterfeit
take that to your father, dearest, and
tell him if he wants more, only so
much greater will be my happiness in
giving it to him. No-not to him,
but to you-my dear, dear wife,
Lorrie takes the check in her
trembling hands.
Can you-can you understand the
shame feel, l wonder? But it is for
him-for him.'
There is no shame, dearest he
murmurs. "All l have is yours now
and forever and he ventures to put
his arm round her and kiss her fore
head.
And