The Parker post., 1913-08-30

body followed him. He went out into
the sunshine. He walked out Of the
grounds. Ten minutes later he was
on his way to London. He had been
so stunned by the transaction that he
had run away. He wanted to be alone
to think. He had received no advice
or suggestions; the sentiment of eV-
eryone seemed to be that he was an
interloper who had obtained his de-
mand, but deserved to reap only the
bitter tares that he had soWn.
He slept over his problem, and,
when he opened his morning paper, he
saw brief notice that Sir Thomas
had died the preceding evening sud
denly. Apoplexy was given as the
cause of death.
FanshaWe's lawyer received him
with suavity. 81 regret deeply" he
said, but Sir Thomas died before he
was able to sign that will 1t is SO
much waste paper. The ownership Of
the estate depends upon the verdict
of the court, which should be given
today. If it is adverse, you will have
nothing, since the Married Women's
Property act expressly deprives you
of all claim upon your Wife's estate,
And must decline to act as your
lawyer further"
May l ask why?" inquired Fan
shave
Because, sir, you have taken de-
spicable advantage of an old mans
fnr his Ianuhtnp - fhn
other.
But l love her!" cried Fanshawe,
and then, Inundated at the position in
which he found himself, he left the
office.
Outside in the street he saw, in far
ing letters on huge poster FAN
SHAVE CASE-RESULT. He bought
Il copy, and then, seized with a sudden
thought, instead of opening the paper;
he put it in his pocket unread and
hurried back to Elmsdale. He could
gather no impression of what the YER
dict had been from the buffers i'm
passive demeanor.
May l see Miss Fanshawe?" asked
the young man.
you mean Mrs. Fanshawe, sir?"
inquired the servant, and when the
other, chagrined, assented, FanshaWe
was shown into the same room where
he had sat the day previously. A fire
was burning in the CRATE; it seemed
difficult to believe that the old man
who had warmed himself at it the day
before now lay dead in his room.
The door opened and his wife glided
in. She was dressed in deep mourn
ing, but if there had been tears on her
face there was no sign Of them now:
She stood quietly before him.
What do you want of me?" she
asked.
Il want to say" said Fanshawe
thickly, 'how sorry l am for the loss
you have suffered. Please do not think
that l shall intrude upon your grief.
But / had to have an explanation.
Why did you make this abominable
bargain?"
"To please my father" she an
swered, showing for the first time
trace of emotion. you and your
father and his father have embittered
our lives. You made my fathers last
years Wretched and fastened his end
1t was his constant terror that l would
be driven out of my home when he
was gone. With us the individual is
subordinated to the family. For the
sake of My father and all that he be-
lieved in l agreed to marry you. Now,
hnY INV did hn no in
Because l love you," answered
Fanshawe unsteadily
you love me?" she repeated in
credulously.
Il love you" he answered doggedly.
II knew that unless I could get you
yesterday you would either turn me
from your home or leave it yourself,
and should never see you again. You
must remember that l have seen you
several times before-in court" he
added smiling. THAT was my rea-
SON"
He drew the paper from his pocket
and placed it, still folded upon the
table.
"Of course you know the verdict"
he resumed. But l do not Strange
as it may seem, have not looked at
that newspaper. I resolved before do
ing SO to visit you here and say to
you: whatever the verdict has been,
whether in my favor or yours, will
you give me a chance to win your
love? Will you let me visit you here
once week and talk to you, exchange
opinions with you, learn your ways of
thought and tell you mine? l shall
never ask anything more-you will
be as free as now till you yourself
come to me. Will you?"
The girl had stepped nearer to him
and was gazing at him in amazement.
Her face was flushed, her eyes shin
ing.
you really love me?" she said in
credulously. And you have really
not seen the verdict? Suppose-sup-
pose that it was in your favor!"