Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1914-09-09
daughter. Are you worthyT

Uaugnter. are you worthy! '- any '.
II have tried to be-" .,.-.
"You must know that you have been
the subject of gossip because you have
lived as q hermit"
EYES,"
And you have admitted that there Is
something in your own life which you
do not feel that l, Molly's father,
should share"
II know It,"
"Have you anything to hide from me
nowT'
The eyes of the younger man stared
into the fire. The dancing flames cast
grotesQue shadows on his bearded face.
II cannot give you my confidence"
he replied. II cannot, now"
'Nelson, my measure of man is by
his integrity and bis intelligence" Mr..
Bryan urged. You have brains and
industry. Whether you were a found
ling at birth or child of the streets in
the north will not weigh heavily in my
decision" His voice was kindly and
assuring.
my boy" he said, you must open
your heart to me. l cannot let my
daughter undertake to share your life
with her eyes blindfolded. Tell her.
Tell her everything. She is Of the
stamp of her dear mother. She is a
young woman. but brave and serious
one. She would countenance nothing
that would bring touch Of dishonor
to her or to her parents"
"Tell-her?' gasped Nelson.
YES"
Molly entered the library, coming
from her mother, radiant with smiles.
She paused as she saw the pallor Of
her lovers face and the serious look
upon her fathers.
What is the matter?" she demanded.
Mr.. Bryan rose from his chair
Il shall leave you together for
awhile" he said as he left the room.
"John!"
With his name on her lips she went
to him, and he took her in his arms
and kissed her.
Let US go outside on the piazza" he
said. II feel as though should choke
in here. There is something must
tell you"
She turned from him and flung wide
deep window. The night scowled at
them as they left the warm and light
ed room for the rain and the dark.
II have something to tell you," he
repeated.
THAT you love me?" she asked.
Love your" he repeated. MY heart
is torn with love for you.'
Nothing else matters"
She crept to his side and clasped his
hands in hers.
your father wants to know who l
am" he told her.
Il know who you are. You are John
Nelson. my lover"
HE wants to know whence came. ~
Prom heaven-t0 me-" she answer
ed, with little laugh of content as
she kissed him.
"From prison." he said. II am an
escaped convict l was sent to prison
in the north for life. l was convicted
or
II know what you were convicted
Of" she whispered. smothering his lips
with her own. "You were convicted of
being too kind and too good to your
fellow man. Christ was 50 convicted
The words fell soIemnly from her
lips, and they startled Nelson.
81 was convicted Of murder be
said, "of murder In the second de-
gree. I was innocent. was sentenced
an innocent man, to life in prison. My
name is James Montgomery, and the
police seek me-"
She fell back from him for mo-
ment, the shadows enshrouding her
But she did not leave him for long
Her arms were again about his neck
and her lips turned to his.
II knew that you had been hurt by
some one or something" she whisper
ed. pressing her cheek against his
You do not need to tell me of your
Innocence. l shall share your sorrows
and your joys until death do us part.
II have no moral right to marry
you," he said.
But you shall take me for you1
Wife" she cried. II shall live in thu