The Storyteller.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7917, 5 September 1905, Page 4

The Storyteller.

HER IDEAL LOVER. (Continued). "I shall have to defend myself. It ' was only a creature ol the imagination." "I should have said you were the last person to —'' "Dream dreams ?" siie intenupud. *'But once 1 was a girl, and all firls are dreamers, oiilv sometimes ttee drtams aie spoilt. TUtne never was. There was never any time ior lovers and love-making, and I was 101 the sort of girl to attract admirers, in any ease. Hut always tkere wert my dreams, even when 1 worked hardest for the children. hotter was so frail, and there was so much to b* done. She has bron at rest only a year ; but before that the children were settled in life, and

I had only Iter to work for. It was •asier than working (or one's self. I loved her so ! llut that was over, too, at last; and now nobody needs me in any special way. All along tbere were my lovely dreams. I have never Ootd anyone before. It was too late lor—but 1 have not missed or needed anything, for have I not my " She stopped, a tender light In her soli eyes. "What ?" ha asked, leaning forward In the dim light. "Only my ideal, my dream lover. Ht was always.young and fair to Mt, always honny and good and true, always coming, comingi to rue." Her TOico (was almost a whisper »ow. Her fact was transfigured. Lawrence bunt down and touched the lair, strong,hand on the windowledge with his lips. "Hasn't it come at last •; I love you," he said softly. Instantly she was the calm, practical woman again. "Of course you do," she said, in a matter-of-fact way. "You are an invalid, and I've tried to be good to you. I'll light your lamps. Mrs tills is leaving by the" nine o'clock express. Shall I send her to bid you good-bye ?" "If you please," he stammered, hi.» lace crimson,.his eyes lowered. Almost immediately Mrs Ellis came in. "I wish 1 could carry a better report to Dora and Uncle Ben," she •aid, looking gravely at the flushed, boyish face. "I wish you could, thank vou. At least tell them that I am as happy as a lark," he said, laughing confusedly, "I will. Dora will be coming to Bee you when the season is a littic nearer over, with Uncle Ben." "Do you really think' so ? If only she wouldn't !" Mrs Ellis laughed mertily. "Why, you bad boy, you ought to be glad to see your pretty sweetheart. People say'it's as good as settled between yon three. Ah, there's the cairiag-e, and here's Miss Kate to hurry nrt) off. Hope vou'll soon he all right. Good-bye !" The summer deepened and softened, and autumn was near. Dr. .Spicer wished to have his patient out of doors while the sunshine lasted. Nobody could drive like Miss Wiliowbv, whos* hands were strong and skilful, and who knew every inch of road for miles and milts. '•l'm sorry they are coming," he •aid as they drove slowly along. "Dora always manages to spoil everything so." "I dare say she will have plenty of interesting news, coming straigta from your own world," Miss WMlowty said brightly. "No, she won't. I say, Miss Kitty, have you forgotten' what I toM you on the night you read to me ' I'm not such a boy as you think. I have bad lots of otperimce, and no end of love affairs. Don't smile that way, please; I am lerri-blv in earnest. Won't you let me be your ilea!' I do love you, honestly ; won't you love me? Somehow I believe you do

already." Ami, bending forward, lie looked lai!g!..ngiy into her grave eyes. ."Lets get married, and then I shall l>c happy, ii I am —not strong. And Vi..u love me. don't you This probably isn't what that ideal lias been saying, bui it's the best I can do. ' ! She turned her tool, pale lace to ,his. and lookid calmly into lus eager eyes. "I have let you say it all now. You wi.n t do it again, will you ?" she said slowly. "I am afraid 1 shall, dear Kitty," he said miserably. "You are what I have wanted all along. The (Mrls. were always unsat isiactory. Why, can't I say thi.se things to you "Hecaune 1 can i help to take eare ot you. ii you persist,"' she answered quietly. "Not take care of me '! Then I won't be taken care ol at all. That is no reason.'' "It is wrong. Y'ou are simply pleased with my home, and I have been able to make you comfortable. It is a sort of gratitude, and not love." , "You know better. It isn't like you to be so unfair." But she had stopped at the gate. Miss Willowby had alwav.s carried [the invalid his tea, but to-night sho was late wiih it. "Put it down, please. I'm going ! to finish what I was saying." She ] placed the tray on the table, and stood before him. i "Pear Kitty, you know I'm right Can t you see that 1 belong to you? I began to feel it whin I heard yout gate la toll click behind me, when 1 came into the fiagi'tince of your fo.SeS, when I looked into your eyes. Oh, the sweetness of it al! ! You can't help caring for inc.'' i , "I Cunnot-'' j "liien let me have n,y wav, dear | Kitty." | "Have you thought of what you jare saying .' Don't you see how im!possible it is? 1 ani not a young "i woman. X«,,. n I shall be fadi ;l ei.u old. You are a boy, with life a li he.ere you. Her voice was not quite steady now, but she Went on : "War friends would ridicule the idea." < As it I wet,- to blame for being i a ,io 5' ' And, besides, haven't vou j ""'"n loving a boy all along in t'iiat .ideal of yours ? And haven't I t hi ■ you thaf you have always been in ; my la-art ? Ib-n't 'put me oft. It's j bad enough to have the doctors looking graver every day " "Hush. Yon may 1* well again." i "Ihey haven't said so." j "But your uncle and Dora ! No it I is not to be thought of." ' ' I have no one to please ; answer me !" "Lawrence, I will answer you five years from to-night. Youi> uncle will want yon to uy other ' doctors, tome to see me when the live years are past, and I will answer vou. I shall be live-and-thirtv then, "in the meant in.e, do whatrV H - you want to of course you Will not feel bound in' any way. Now, that is all. Please do not speak of it again ,'' and she left him. Shortly after this Dora cam.—Dora

with her curly, flaxen hair, brown eyes, and dimpled fate, She. was as prUly as a flower. Behind the pretty vision tame Uncle Hen, an old man with fierce grizzled side whiskers, ami small,

liciy eyes. I "Oh, Laity, how ill you look ! Oh, have you actually been shut up in , this doleful place all the summer '! I I've had a deliphtful time. Arc you | get'itm worse, Larry'.'" "I'm sure 1 don't know, Dora. Nobody has told me. It may he the way folks KV't well.. Anyhow, I'm quite happy" "Oh. dear me, don't talk so. Uncle Hen. don't let him ! I'm afraid you must he p'iiip )o uu '' >"" know." Uncle Hen scowled fiercely, and Miss Willowhy, in her cheerful way, took Dora out." "Now vou know what I meant." Lawerence said to Miss Willowhy next mumim:. "tiirls are—unsati-

•'Hut this is a Wim.lU'iully pretty one," she said. "Pretty—yes, she's Hint, ami i'Uthing more. Do vow know, the doctors v.eiC graver than ever this morning Not even Spicer could get up a smile. Oi course, you saw tliem lie smiled as he stood unsteadily before tnc small, I.tight fire that crackled on the hearth. "Dear Kitty, I am surely not doinn well. Only think, I—hush, that was my name. He is in the hall. Be still

—I will hear ! With his bright eyes holding her, he listened. The lull do if was ajar. Yes, Uncle Hen was speaking in a high, impatient voice. "l'ravcry, indeed ; Ami i l( > will find out about the bank failure. The boy is ruined. I tell vou, Dora, you must help him. He gladly lost half his fortune securing yours for you. Not engaged ? Who cares '.' It has always lecn my plan to many you two, and you said you loved him. Get him to propose now, and marry the boy at once." Then Dora's voire came to him. "Oh, Well, of course, I loved Larry, hut I'm glad he never proposed. He never shall, either. I don't want a poor man for my husband ; and what should I want with him, anvway, if he is to be helpless- and blind ?"

Wore the cheery fire the unsteady form swayed. Miss WilloWnv's strong arm lowered it -gently to the couch Lawrence closed his eyes ; his face was white. "Helpless and blind !" h e whisper'd. "Nothing is certain. They thin!; ;o. There is always hope." "How long will it, take ?" "H will he gradual ; can you hear I "Will it lake-five years ' Hecausr shen I shall have you to Mi) ;■;■ bear it." Her hot tears splashed on his h-ind "You have me now-alwavs ' she said. H's face was illiinined. "I need pnt wain ihe five years?" he exclaimed his eyes on her face. ' ' A ismile shone in hen steadfasteyes. "Not five hours, unless you will"