The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-04-23

am listening.
The young man squared his chin
and drew long breath.
ut is a question of gratitude" he
began. Not of duty, please under
stand. If it were duty / could settle
the question very quickly. But this
is more difficult"
The girl nodded.
Il understand, Mr.. Somers."
Yes" He paused moment. "My
father and mother both died when |
was very young, and left me quite
alone and quite friendless. Then an
acquaintance of my fathers took me
in his keeping, and fed me and clothed
me. No father could have done any
more for me. All | have l owe to my
benefactor. and he has asked nothing
i'll return-until now. l have seen him
only at rare intervals; his health is
not good and he spends much time
abroad, but | hear from him quite
often--as often as he is in the mood
to write. Yesterday a letter came
that greatly disputes me. He tells me
that he believed his days are number
ed-but this he has told me several
times before. 1t is not the Fremont
ton that worries me so much-for |
believe he is in nervous state that
often fills him with gloomy forebod-
lngs-lt is test of my gratitude that
he asks, and asks in a way that makes
1t very hard for me to know just what
to do"
The girls clear gaze did not leave
his face.
Does it require too much of a per-
sonal sacrificed" she asked
"If'c hard ~ a~ynIo,n
He asks me to do something that
hurts my pride, that wounds my feel
ings, that-that makes me appear con-
temPtible to myself"
But surely" said the girl, you do
not hesitatep
Think of the gratitude owe him."
But your benefactor does not own
you"
ut seems that he thinks he does.
And he is old and i'll and believes he
is dying"
Still you should not hesitate" She
paused. mo doubt he offers you some
reward if you comply with his wish
es."
i: Eyes: A large reward. Wait. 1t
concerns some one else equally with
myself"
There was a brief silence.
you must decide this question for
yourself, Mr.. Somers," said the girl
81 can't put myself in your place"
He struck the table with his hand.
81 have decided" he cried. Let
the consequences be what they may. I
will refuse his proposition"
The girl smiled, and there was a
strong approval in her expression.
:! think you have done right" she
ooh, I'm sure of it now" he cried
His mood had changed, his face had
frightened. Even Chicago did not
seem so very far away. 80
81 have a benefactor too" said the
girl. "He has put me under the very
deepest obligations. ] hope, he will
never test my gratitude as yours has
done"
J Then you can sympathize with me-"
he. said. 81 was afraid you didn't.
Perhaps forgot for the moment
how nearly my own personal depend
ence resembled yours"
The young man stood up, and stead
ed himself with his hand on the
chair.
Miss Selwyn," he said. and his
voice was low and trembied a little.
II don't want you to think me over
bold, nor think that / have taken adj
vantage of your presence here. But
you are going away, and | feel that |
must tell you something that have
had on my mind ever since | first met
you. Can't you guess what it is? II
am poor, my prospects are not very
yet feel that l will con-
nuer fate, and--what | want to ask
is this-will you wait for me, Alma,
until. / can-come to you and ask YOU
to share my home and my Hfe?"
Her clear eyes clouded. She turn
ed here face a little away. Then she
suddenly put out her hand.
Yes" said she. "I'll wait"
"A moment later she laughed mer-
rilv.. W
What is it, Alma?"
something that strikes me as be-
ing very funny. | had a letter day
before Yesterday from my benefactor.
He told me to call this morning at
the office of Young Henry Somers in
he Mohican Building. He has some
thing to tell you,' he wrote. Can YOU
wonder that | am amused. Isis
there ANYTHING else YOU have to tell?"
Nothing" he answered. "Why, il |
seems very STRANGE. Told YOU TO !
come to my office? May ask the name
Of your benefactor?"
why, yes, He was my mothers
cousin. His name. is Robert Hump
hrev."
The young man gasDed
Robert Humphrey And YOU are
his cousins daughter? But her name |
IS Emily"
my name is Alma Emily. Emily |
was my mothers name. But what is |
the matter?"
For the young man had dropped
back in his chair and was holding his
sides. :
ooh. this is too good" he cried |
Robert Humphrey is my benefactor,
90. And that test of gratitude was
marriage with YOU, dearest girll'
What" cried the dearest girl. "And
ne sent me. here? Why-why. he
nust have known all the time"
"Of course he did. It's his little
oke. And beautiful Joke. too"
Then the girl laughed till the tears
stood in her eyes.