The Press., 1914-09-23

pay for rousseau. This was espe-
 cially pleasing to her, for nature has not yet produced a woman who would | be indifferent to this accessory to her
 marriage. Helen made her purchases and went to work with q will in the construction of wardrobe Suddenly there came thunderclap from a clear sky. Bob Bracket re-
 turned from his voyage with fine
 sum of prize money, his share of the
 salvage of disabled ship that his yes
 sel had lowed into port. He burst in
 upon Helen, not knowing of the change that had come over her, with
 the news, finishing with the words, Now, sweetheart let us be married at Once."
 When Hunter heard of his rivals re- turn he went to Helen and said to her:
 'I wish you to consider yourself re- leased and to feel perfectly free to marry the man who has returned to you"
 II have given you my promise" was the reply. "and I will keep it.''
 But Hunter saw that her heart was not in her words. He asked her to tell him truthfully whether he or the sailor possessed it. She tried to evade the question, but Hunter would not
 be put off. At last he forced her to tell the truth. Her heart had been given to Bracket, and she was una bIe, if she would. to take it back again.
 Hunter at once withdrew in favor of his rival With an effort he succeeded in concealing from Helen what a crushing blow had fallen upon him in his loss. One matter puzzled him. Now that another was to be her hus- band the fact that Hunter had been supplying her with the wherewithall to live, that he had deceived her in the matter of the windfall for the rousseau, that he held mortgage on her farm for all it was worth, must come out How should he break the fact to her?
 Hunter was a very sensitive man. He was much broken by his disap- pOintment, and, though he had been resolute in giving up his bride ex- pectant he was vacillating in the mat ter of how to let her know that in stead of possessing property she was pauper. Worry made him ill, and he was confined to his bed.
 Helen, who, importuned by the sail or, had accepted her release and agreed to marry Bracket before he sailed again, went on with the prepara- tiOns for a wedding in which there was to be a change of grooms. She | seemed to regret the disappointment l she had OccasiOned Hunter. and | Bracket in order that her break with | his rival should be complete proposed | that a transfer of the care of her prop | erty should be made to him. Helen l reluctantly consented.
 Bracket went to see Hunter, whom | he found in bed, and asked for an ac- l counting of Helen's estate. Hunter | was too i'll to invent any more subter- fuges and was obliged to make clean breast of the matter. Bracket return ed to Helen with the information that she had nothing and that all she had received had been given her by Hun ter.
 q believe" added Bracket. ''that the fellow has contrived to get your property into his own possession"
 Helen looked at him like one daZed. Then suddenly, without a word, she went out and strode rapidly in the direction of Hunters house. Bracket. who did not know what action she would take, watched her till she had passed out of sight, then went into the house to await developments.
 Hunter was lying alone in his mis- cry when suddenly the girl he loved hurried into his room, sank on her knees by his bed, put her arms around him and mOaned:
 Forgive me-"
 Renewed vigor ran through the sick mans weakened body. He sat up, took the girl in his arms, and there were caresses such as had never pass ed between them before.
 "Send some one," she said presently, ito tell him to go away''
 An hour later Richard Hunter, walk ing with tread that had received a powerful stimulus, appeared at Helen Germans home. Bracket, who was awaiting Helen's return, saw him com- ing. Having left Hunter short time OSAoAc HI HI OcO' uS "OAueFed. dread took possession of him. Hunter came up to ;lim and said
 "I am commissioned by Miss Cor. I man to tell you that she has come to l final decision between you and me and in my fnvor.''
 Bracket was thunderstruck. He ] made no reply for some time then said: If Miss German will say that to me z Dr write 1t I will accept it as the I ruth
 Hunter drew q bit of paper from lis pocket and handed it to the sailor. . He read it. tore it into bits. turned on lis heel and left the house.
 On the evening that Hunter married ]