The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1914-07-09

the wreck, but as the capt tain. Hank
8Raynor was announced as among
those drowned it was impossible to do
much inv ting. I. Il. H
On that very day Kate failed to ap
pear at the pier. s8 X
week Captain Jim faced the empty
stand opposite his window. Then he
went down to the aterside street and
found there restitution, at once pitiful
and reassuring.
1T isn't your love I am asking for,
DEAR" he said to her gently as at the
end Of half hour he found himself
holding her trembling fingers and
smoothing her hair. II couldn't expect
that. But IL you will give me what is
left, the right to takescare Of you and
yours, God knows it viii be a precious
trust"
Captain Jim had no fine phrases, but
vel of self control. He stood quite
still, though every nerve was tense
with longing to clasp the slim little
figure to his breast. In fact, he hardly
dared breathe when at last Kate drop
ped her head against his arm for ac-
quiescence and broke into soft Sob
bling. A guess at what was in his
heart, he told himself, would have
frightened her out of his reach forever.
The six weeks that followed were a
mixture of paradise and purgatory to
him. 1t was hard, indeed, to play the
decorous, fatherly lover when his whole
soul cried out for the touch of her lips
on his and every swish of her dress
against him set his pulses throbbing.
But he did it, and we'll.
His paradise proved a FOOLS, how
ever. Walking along the main street
one evening, with Kate on his arm,
Hank RaynOr's unmistakable self pass
ed the two almost at elbow touch.
There was Hvid scar along the ap-
partitions cheek. Kate did not see him,
but a pang like death went through
"Old Ben Bolt The sight of that
e. handsome, dev1l-may-care face seemed
to sound his doom.
During the next four and twenty
hours Captain Jim worked out his bit
ter problem. Cost what it might to
his own self respect, he would tell Kate
the truth as he knew it concerning
Hank Raynor. He could do that If
she had been his young sister. but in
honor he must free her from her prom
Use to himself.
He had thought of way out of her
financial difficulties, but it was not
necessary she should know that yet or,
indeed, the cost to his own heart of
these last few months.
II have come to give you back what
asked that first night, Kate, but I
must tell you something it will be
hard for you to BEAR" he said to her
hoarsely as he stood in the little par
lor, whose very plainness had grown
dear to him.
A flush ran into Rates cheek, but it
died there, leaving white line around
her lips. "Old Ben Bolt' gripped the
back of the chair in front of him.
II suppose you have seen Raynor?"
he went on.
Hates color rushed back in a rosy
flood. Her eyes dropped for an in
slant; then, shy, but brave, they looked
straight into Captain Jim's own.
Eyes, have seen him and-his wife,"
she answered with little laugh. ''He
brought her from Philadelphia. lit
was good thing had found out be-
fore that-that I didn't care most for
him, after all. wasn't 1t. you dear old
Ben BOlt?''
The room reeled round Captain Jim.
Out of it's chaos Kate's face grew
flushed and smiling still, but with sus-
piciously luminous eyes. Then did
this "Ben Bolt give a great gasp as
the truth burst upon him. He took
two long strides with outstretched
arms, and second later Kate was
quite lost in the big, warm embrace
her dark hour had taught her was her
hearts true haven.