Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1926-10-22

ask her to marry me, so why speak Of
1T? Good Cd, could ask my own Sis
ter to be my wife?"
"She is not your siser. She has not
one drop of Gwynne blood in her
veins"
He gave a short, bitter laugh. But
who is going to tell her thet, may
ask, Rachel Carter7"
She sank wearily into a chair.
II will put 1t this way. Kenneth" she
said. Would you ask her to be your
wife II the time should ever come
when she knows the truth?"
He hesitated long time. ''Will you
be kind enough to tell me what your OBJ
ject is In asking me these questions?"
want to know whether you are
truly In love with her.. she replied
steadily.
And If say that I could not ask
her to marry me, would that prove
anything to you"
Yes. It would prove. two things. 1t
would prove that you do not love her
with all your heart and soul, and it
would prove that you are the same
kind OF man that your father was be-
fore you"
He started. 1t was the second rea-
son that caused him to look at her
curiously. "What do you mean?
When you have answered my ques-
tion, I viii answer yours, Kenneth"
"Wsll," he began, setting his jaw,
Il do love her enough to ask her to be
my wife. But would ask her as owen
Carters daughter. And" he added,
half-ciosing his eyes as with pain, "she
would refuse to have me. Do you
suppose her love would survive the
shock Of realization? She has a clean
heart. She would never marry the son
OF the man who-who-" He found
himself unable to finish the sentence.
A strange, sudden reluctance to hurt
his enemy checked the words even as
they were being framed on bis lips
reluctance due not to compassion, not
to consideration but to a certain in
nate respect for an adversary whose
back is to the wall and yet faces un-
equal odds without a sign of shrinking.
Shall l say it for your" she asked
In cold, level voice. But she had
WINGED. despite her iron control.
1T rs not necessary" said he, en-
barrassed.
In any case." she said, with sigh,
you have answered my question. If
you could do this for my girl 1 am
sure Of your love for her. There could
be no greater test. shall take little
more time before answering your ques-
tion. Kenneth, the time may come-I
feel that 1t Is sure to come, when Viola
will learn the truth about herself and
me-and you, as well. I feel 1t in my
bones. 1t may not come till after / am
dead. But no matter when 1t comes, /
want to feel sure now-tonight, Ken
neth-that you will never undertake to
deprive her of the lands and money /
shall leave to her."
He stared at her in astonishment.
What Is this you are saying?" She
slowly repeated the words. "Why, how
could dispossess her? 1t is yours to
beQueath as you see At, madam. Do
you think am a mercenary scoundrel,
that I would try to take it away from
herr / know she is not my fathers
daughter, but-why, good heaven, l
would never dream Of fighting for
what you"
Your love for her-though unre-
Quited-aye. even though she became
Ar1 -
what happened years ago-you love
her enough to stand aside and allow
her to hold what shall leave to herT
you are talking in riddles. What
on earth are you driving at?"
you will not fight her right, her
claim to my estate?" she insisted, lean
ing still closer.
"Why, of course notl" he exclaimed,
angriiy.
"Dven though the law might say she
is not entitled to iti
zHs law can take no action unless
] invoke Its aid" said he. "And that is
something shall never do," he added,
with 6nality.
Il wiah could be sure Of that" she
murmured. wistfully.
He came to his feet. "You may be
sure Of it, he said, with dignity. "Pos-
sess your soul In peace, If that is all
that " troubling it."
"sit. down." she said, a strange husk-
inssg In her veics. He obeyed her.
Your father left certain part of his
fortune to me. There was no provision
made for Viola. You understand that,
doHst your
Yes, ! know all about that" said he,
plainly bewildsred. "On the other
hand, he did not impose any restric-
lions upon you. You are at liberty to
di9osa 4 your share by will, as you
see ~ madam. am not likely to deny
my skspsastsr what is rightfulIy hers.
Ana that reminds me. She Is not my
blood relation, it's true. But she Is my
stspsiater. That settles another point.
could not ask my stepsister to be my