Putnam patriot., 1913-10-10


 ssa@cs s25 ioTe. That is ene way 1 reel about you. I know that you are good and true and lovely! Any one might as well try to prove to me that you were crazy as that you had done wrong in any way"
 Her face grew strangely white.
 Well, suppose I was crazy?"
 Then l would take you and cherish you and try to cure you, and if that could not be done, l should help you bear it."
 "Oh, you are wonderfuli" she breathed, the light of a great love growing in her eyes.
 The bare, prosaic walls stood stolid- ly about them, indifferent to romance or tragedy that was being wrought out within it's wall The whirl and hum of the city without. the grime and soil of the city within, were alike for gotten by these two as their hearts throbbed in the harmony of great passion.
 Do you think to you could learn to love me-" said the mans voice, with the sweetness of the love song of the ages in it's tone.
 T love you now" said the girls low voice. q think have loved you from the beginning, though I never dared to think of it in that way But it would not be right for me to become your wife when you know practically noth- ing about me"
 Have you forgotten that you know nothing of me-"
 'Oh, I do know something about you, she said shyly. Remember that I have dined with your friends. could not help seeing that they were good people, especially that delightful old man, the Judge He looked star tlingly like my dear father. saw how they all hOnored and loved you And then what you have done for me, and the way that you treated an utterly defenseless stranger. were equal to years of mere acquaintance. l feel that 1 know a great deal about you"
 He smiled. Thank you he said, but 1 have not forgotten that some thing more is due you than that slight knowledge of me, and before l came out here I went to the pastor of the church of which my mother is a mem Der, and which have always attended and asked him to write me letter He is so widely known that l felt 1t would be an introduction for me"
 He laid an open letter in her lap, and. glancing down, she saw that it was signed by the name of one of the best known pulpit orators in the land. and that it spoke in highest terms of the young man whom it named as my well-loved friend
 Tt is also your right to know that l honorable life. l have never told any woman but you that I loved her-ex- cept an elderly cousin with whom thought I was in love when l was nineteen. She cured me of it by laughing at me, and have been heart whole ever since"
 She raised her eyes from reading the letter.
 You have all these. and I have nothing" She spread out her hands helplessly. Tt must seem strange to you that I am in this situation. II does to me It is awful"
 She put her hands over her eyes and shuddered.
 Tt is to save you from 1t all that have come" He leaned over and spoke tenderly, "Darlingl"
 "Oh, wait!" She caught her breath as if it hurt her, and put out her hand to stop him. Wait! You must nor say any more until have told you al about it. Perhaps when l have toll you. you will think about me as others do and I shall have to run from you.F
 Can you not trust me?@ he re' preached her.
 oh, yes, I can trust you. but you may no longer trust me, and that l cannot bear"
 q promise you solemnly that I will believe every word you say"
 "Ah, but you will think l do not know, and that it is your duty to give me into the hands of my enemies.
 That I most solemnly VOW l will never do," he said earnestly. You need not fear to tell me anything. But listen, tell me this one thing: in the eyes of God, is there any reason, phys ical. mental, or spiritual, why you should not become my wife?"
 She looked him clearly in the eyes.
 None at all"
 linen I am satisfied to take you without hearing your story until after wards"
 'But I am not satisfied. If am to see distrust come into your eyes, 1t must be now, not afterwards"
 Then tell it quickly"
 He put out his hand and took hers firmly into his own, as if to help her in her story.