The Yazoo Democrat., 1852-09-15

1
died without issue and intestate. A week be-
fore that evening the Solicitor traced Blind Wal
ter as the next of kin. He had kept his secret
until all was settled passing off the Solicitor as
pupil and this day he had been put in pos
session OF his property, the Lord Chancellor
having appointed trustees for the three months
he wanted of being of age.
You seem in trouble said Sir Walter. when
ne had told his story-for he always observed the
slightest difference in the intonation of voice.
Alice who was overwhelmed at what she had
heard, timidly explained.
Il see only one remedy observed the blind
young baronet, after some reflection.
And what is that ? asked Gertrude anxious
ly.
You must let me court you for the next four
months. have this day-for am influential
now-sent Frank his leave OF absence for twelve
months, begging him to come home. 1t seems
am indispensable in certain county where min
listers want to keep their supporters in, and SO
they can refuse me nothing
Good Sir WalterY exclaimed Gertrude and
Alice.
Blind Walter is still with you But listen !
until Frank returns will. keep off all suitors.
Say nothing, only let us always be together--us
three mean,' said the quick cared young man, as
ne caught the sound of little sigh from Alice !;
and your father will give me six months at least
to think of it. But my dear friends. listen TO
me. must marry now. In whom else, now
that | have such heavy trust and duties, can /
confide than wife? Twenty-Five thousand a
year wants some body who can see.to and at
tend to it. Had remained poor, no woman
should ever have had such a burden imposed on
her. There is but one girl in the world who can
ever be my wife. While / was poor, l studi-
ously concealed my feelings but now, dear Al
ice, my richness, my rank, are vain indeed, If you
refuse to be mine when Frank returns
Sir Walter = cried the amazed girl, pale with
feeling more like alarm than anything else a
poor girl alone What will your friends say?
Alice you have for five years been my deyo-
ted sister; we have studied together, thought to-
gether, learned together; let US now, if your
heart can reconcile itself to blind husband,
love one another. / am not fit to be alone but
if you will not be the poor blind boys guardian
angel, must trust mysel to some hired servant.
/ have always loved you dearly, and had you
remained poor, had always meant to beg you to
take me for your wife-your guide; and you
would for when mother dies shall be alone
but now dare not accept
You have acceptedT exclaimed Gertrude, pla-
cling their hands one in another; and as Alice
could not speak, the betrothal was over. After
few minutes silence, they discussed their plans,
and were in the midst of them when Mr.. Pres
colt entered hurriedly.
Sir Walter, | am proud to congratulate you.
am highly honored by you making your first
call here.'
Il have to apologize for taking the liberty of
coming so uncerernoniOusly. Hours suited to
the musician become perhaps unsuitable now
Sir Walter, pray consider my house your own,
said Mr.. Prescott, warmly, half from genuine
pleasure at thegood luck of one liked, as all did,
and halt from the re fection that $25 600 year,
even with blind baronet, was a very splendid
prospect for his daughter.
From that day all suitors withdrew from be
fore the young baronet. Every body looked up
on the affair as settled. Miss Gertrude and he
with Alice for companion, drove out together;
and what other result could be expected But
not one word did either of thetwo say that could
be construed into deceit. Mr.. Prescott allowed
matters to take their course, not even sounding
Gertrude on the point he had at heart.
One morning SirdWalter called formally upon
Mr.. Prescott and demanded the honor of an in
terview. The gentleman bowed his young friend
into the drawing-room, and his heart beating
rather more quickly than usual, he sat down of
ter handing Walter to chair.
'What, my dear Sir Walter, with almost the
only trace of sarcasm on his face which ever ap-
peafed there come to speak of your daugh-
ter, Miss Gertrude
Indeedr exclaimed Mr.. Prescott, with very
harmless attempt at playing astonishment in his
tohe:
You viii be very much surprised, my dear
sir said blind Walter, little tirnidly at what
am going to say
Perhaps not, said papa knowingly; fancy:
You have fancied wrong, Mr.. Prescott; said
Walter firmly, { if you have supposed that /
have courted your daughter on my own account
Listen to me first, and be angry if you will af-
forwards. / have Eoufted for anot1ef-for
young man who loves her, and whom she ldtes
Ia lieutenant in the navy, on whom settle,
the day ne marries, the sum of twenty thousand
pounds, which have raised by telling timber,
which was far too luxuriant on my estate:'
Butt exclaimed Mr.. Prescott, qnite modified
at the words twenty thousand pounds9 and
who was, besides. very good hearted man at