Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1920-02-26

would forget that cursed Melville and
marry her faithful Johnny, all things
would come right. He was sure she
did not love the real Melville, hut
rather an image she called by his
name and set up in her hearts inner
shrine. "She really is Sleeping
Beauty" he said TO his heart. revert
ing to the happy audacity whose men-
DRY made him Jingle once she walked
up. she'd have 10 know life and
things. My business Is to wake her.
| wonder how | shall do it."
After three days of bordering he
bit upon something that made him
cry aloud: 1.-THE very thing" Then
write a letter, hasty but fun OF de-
tails After he had dispatched It 10
a distant address he gave his whole
mind and time to haunting the Mar
hin establishment. bent on knowing
all that passed regarding his beloved.
There was need Of his constant Wig
lance Franklin Ware was des-
perate wooer. and ably seconded by
Mrs BENJAMIN, who of course.
brought her husband TO seeing with
her eyes.
Therefore he said seriously 10
Louise. that with no wish to constrain
her inclination he felt bound to say
she would both please and relieve him
by providing for herself so finely.
Franklin Ware was not, to be sure In
his first youth-he had, moreover. had
harvest Of very Wild oats. To off
set that. he was rich, well born, pos
sessed Of standing that gave his wife
cntree everywhere-and eager 70
make her the most magnificent settle
ments Furthermore-here Uncle
Benjamin half Sighed-he himself
could DO no more for his brothers only
daughter than give her a home and
maintenance while he lived All he
had was well tied up beyond diversion
In any direction. And 1t would pain
him deeply TO think either of leaving
his niece unprovided for, or to have
her go 70 work. In the name Of the
blood ne begged her TO save him such
diScomfort-she listened shvering-
not over what was said. hut left I'M
said. namely, that Uncle Ben might
be now a millionaire, If 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 MS the brother lived he had
been generous in help to him. who was
the soul Of improvident kindness.
Louise felt 70 the marrow of her bones
al she owed the good narrow man
too fine bred to recall benefits hc-
slowed It seemed to her she must
obey him-or die. Death indeed
seemed her only refuge-she could not
think OF accepting Johnny with all
her heart belonging to Melville
Then when she was most distraught
came Melville's letter-in mad haste.
"Johnny writes me you have great
prospects-if YOU win accept them"
It said my dear girl don't be a fool
Accept the goods the gods provide
and thus Justify the admiring friend
ship OF
chastity and heartily Your,
ARTHUR MELVILLE"
Johnny saw her read it--not for
naught had he studied postal Sched-
ues and haunted the carriers route.
As she crushed the sheet within
shaking hand, he touched her shout
der gently, saying:
"Honey-truSt yourself to me
Even il / can't ever make you love
me- it viii be-better than-the 9th
err inevitable thing"
Il can't I am too ashamed. To
think I--oh, no decent man ought
ever to look at me" Louise cried
hotly; then with a sob gave him the
letter When he had read II he
turned to see her sitting with bowed
head, face hidden in her hands, and
trembling all over. 81 believe you
have saved me-from-the very
worst" she said "If you will have
me-" breaking off there and droop-
ing lower still.
He married her next day--to the
scandal Of Mrs. Benjamin. Times
whirligig indeed brings revenge Be
fore the honeymoon waned Louise hid
her face In his shoulder to say, hap
PLY, II was In a trance, Johnny, dear
How in the world did you care enough
TO wake me?"
"Oh, | have a taste for sleeping
beauties" Johnny answered, tweaking
her ear--but with eyes that misted n
little in spite of him.
Picture in Spanish Barn.
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