The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-11-08

all that passed regarding his beloved.
There was need Of his constant vigil
arCe. Franklin Ware was a desper-
ate wooer, and ably seconded by Mrs.
Benjamin, who of course, brougnt her
husband to seeing with her eyes.
Therefore he said seriously to
Louise, that with no wish to con-
strain her inclination, he felt bound
to say she would both please and re-
lleye him by providing for herself so
finely. Franklin Ware was not to be
sure, in his first youth-he had, more
over, had harvest OF very wild oats.
To offset that, he was rich, well born,
possessed of a standing that gave his
wife entree everywhere-and eager to
make her the most magnificent settle
ments. Furthermore-here ~bhCle Ben
jamin half sighed-he himself could
do no more for his brothers on9
daustter than give her a home and
maintenance while he lived. All he
had was well tied up beyond diversion
in any direction. And it would pain
him deeply to think either OF leaving
his niece unprovided for, or to have
her go to work. In the name OF tho
blood he begged her to save, him
such discomfort-she listened SILVER
ing-not over what was said, but left
unsaid, namely, that Uncle Ben might
be now a millionaire, il he had not
years back voluntarily paid huge
sums to clear his brother of debt, and
keep the family name spotless, Then,
too, so long as the brother lived, he
had been generous in help to him, who
was the soul of improvident kindli-
ness. Louise felt to the marrow Of
her bones all she owed the good mar
row man, too finebred to recall bene-
fits bestowed. 1t seemed to her she
must obey him or die. Death, in
deed. seemed her only refuge she
could not think OF accepting Johnny
with all her heart belonging to Mel.
Vile.
Then when she was most dtstraught
came Melville's letter-brief and
blurred as though written in mad
haste, Johnny writes mo you have
great prospects-if you will accept
them it said. "My dear girl, don't be
fool. Accept the goods the gods
provideAand thus justify the admirins
friendship of
Hastily and heartily yours.
ARTHUR Melville"
Johnny saw her read it-not for
naugh5 had he studied postal schedules
and lt1unted the carriers route. AS
she crushed the sheet within shaking
hand, he touched her shoulder gently,
saying:
"Honey-trust yourself to me! Even
II l can't ever make you love me, it
will be-better than-the other in
evitable thing"
81 can't! l am too ashamed. To
think I-oh, no decent man ought
ever to look at mel Louise cried
hotly; then with a sob gave him the
letter. When he had read it he
tuned to see her sitting with bowed
b, - l, face hidden in her hands, ana
re..lbling all over. 81 believe you
have saved me-from-the very
worst" she said. IF you will have
me =" breaking off here and dropping
lower still.
He married her next day-to the
scandal of Mrs. Benjamin. Times
whirltug indeed brings revenge. Be-
fore the honeymoon waned Louise
hid her face in his shoulder to say.
happily, II was in a trance, Johnny,
dear; How in the world did you
care enough to wake me?"
ooh, l have taste for sleeping
beauties" Johnny answered, twealt- |
ing her ear-but with eyes that mlsted
0 little in spite OF him.
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