Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1911-12-19
side acquaintance to come and see

He isn't, said Louise.
She was sure that he had been mas
querading when he called upon her
several days later Immediately ar
rayed in evening clothes When,
however, she accused him, he shook
his head. Now and then l take to
the road" he said. 81 was not made
to stay In one place"
He came often, and as the months
went on Louise found herself torn by
conflicting emotions. Balfour had Of
fered her his hand and fortune.
Louise liked him. The vagabond, on
the other hand, offered her nothing
but his heart
L should not have offered you that, "
he said, except that l cannot see you
unhappy as the wife of Balfour.
cannot promise anything for myself,
l am rover by nature; but you shall
not suffer for comforts, and I shall
love you until my dying day"
When Louise finally sent Balfour
away and said yes" to the vagabond.
she had many doubts and misgiyings.
But, I love him." her heart whis-
pered.
AS she planned her simple trous-
seau, she thought regretfully of the
gowns she would have worn as Bal
tours wife. Her girl friends leased
her about her future.
You'll never stand it," they said
Balfour said things, too, when he
of II
what you are doing. Louise" he told
her.
1t seemed to Louise that every doubt
of her own was emphasized by the
misgivings of her friends, and, at last,
In desperation, she went to her lover.
Il don't believe shall be happy with
you"
He let her 60 without a protest, but
the look in his eyes haunted her for
many days. She threw herself into all
sorts Of excitement Balfour wooed
her. but she would not listen.
Thus year passed, and again. one
summers morning, Balfour took the
woman he loved for ride. This
time, however, he did not leave this
wooing until the end of the day.
Louise, somewhat lonely, bored with
the life that she had lived Of late.
was In receptive mood.
If l only loved you a little," she
said. 81 should say yes"
you will love me after you marry
me-" Balfour asserted
Louise wondered If. she would. In
her moment Of indecision her eyes
searched the country, as If to seek
some means of escape from future
which she dreaded. Far up on the
hillside dogwood flung its white
branches against SAPPHIRE sky. I'm
der the trees sat man, tall and thin
and in shabby clothes.
Louise's heart leaFed. Let me
out" she said to Balfour.
But Balfour's eyes had seen his
rival. do you mean" he asked
sternly, that you have not recovered
from that infatuation? I won't let you
out, Louise. if do you will go to un-
happiness"
In days of old men carried off their
sweethearts on prancing steeds. Bal
four, more modern, played young
Lochinvar in an automobile. In spite
of her protests, Louise was conveyed
away from the spot where she had
seen the tall man under the dogwood
trees. When they reached home, how
ever, Balfour YVES not prepared for
her scorn.
DO you think you can stop me from
seeing him." Louise demanded. 81
shall find him II l have to follow him
to the ends of the earth"
And she did find him a day or two
later.
1t was a very humble Louise who
came to him. you ought to hate me-"
she said but l hope you still love me
a little"
The light that leaped into his eyes
showed how much he cared. "Oh,
foolish Louise" he said. mot to stand
the test"
She looked at him in surprise.
What test?" she demanded.
II wanted to be sure you cared for
me, not for my possessions, and now
| know"
With more land than Balfour, more
money than any Of her other suitors,
he had chosen not to tell her, because
he wanted the treasure of her disin-
terested affection. And when she
came back to him. ne knew that he
had 1t.
You are more mine than ever be-
FORE" was his triumphant assertion