The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-06-08


Mr.. Goodwin, who can be trusted, IL any
ono can"
Had Eleanor's mind been less absorbed
by the subject or which she was speaking,
she would have scarce failed to notice
quick, though transcient Frightening Of
Stafford's countenance.
"Did you ever see himi The adopted
son, meanW said he.
81 never did. He had been gone sev-
eral weeks when l come to live with my
uncle. He was boy of much promise,
Pve been told"
"a little obstinate and self.wilcd per-
haps."
"My uncle didn't consider him So"
81 am glad to hear it."
"See," said Eleanor, minute afterward,
"the gorgeous hues of sunset arc fast IA
ding, and will be gono by the time can
reach home." 2 - .iaif io
"Your home for one night mere"
ayes" aiaa ai
Eleanor quickly tied on her hat, which
the mild and pleasant air had caused her
to cast aside, and commenced descending
tic hill.
"Miss Herbert -Eleanor-stay one mo-
ment," said Stafford.
She obeyed, not wholly devoid of
consciousness why the request was raade.
at is just six months, to-day said he,
"since commenced teaching school in this
place. The term Of my engagement has
closed"
ITO be renewed, as understand, after
short vacation"
"I did think of renewing it, but have
altered my mind"
"Thcn you will leave this placeY"
"No, / shall remain, at least for a short
time. Whether I take up my residence
here permanently, or not, depends on you"
"On mep
ayes, though half an hour ago sho'dn't
have felt myself authorized to say this to
you."
Eleanor strovc to recall 10 mind whether,
during the present interview, there had
been anything in her words or appearance
which might be construed into manifes-
tation Of the preference in which she felt
conscious she held him. She could think
of nothing, and in reply said, somewhat
coldly:
"You speak cnigmatically, Mr.. Stafford"
"Perhaps so; and, on reflection, what
| last said had better been left unsaid, at
present. We will think no more OF it, if
YOU please"
For few moments they both remained
silent.
"As time presses" he then said, "you
will excuse my abruptness. Eleanor, will
you accept my hand? Ny heart is already
yours, as think on moro than ono occas.
ion have betrayed to you."
81 will"
She answered in calm, steady voice,
though the twilight was not yet SO deep as
10 conceal the bright color which como to
her cheeks, nor the light, brighter still,
which flashed up to her dark hazel eyes.
"And will you be content to be village
schoolmaster's wife!"
"Why not? You possess industry, ener-
gy, and perseverance, three qualities which
when combined, rarely fail to keep want
from the door,"
"True, but you have so long been ac-
customcd to every luxury"
"Whcn found that the estate Of my
uncle was to pass into the hands of Are
mus Carkley, made up my mind to earn
my own living. Of course, luxures wo'd
have TO be dispensed with. 1t is true that
my friend Mrs. Marsden kindly invited me
to make her house my home, as soon as
she heard of my uncle's decease, but the
bread Of dependence must in every instance
be more or less bitter, let it be offered by
ever so free hand"
"It is to Mrs. Marsdens that you intend
going tomorrow Z"
"Yes. l wrote in answer TO her invita-
tion, that l would spend three or four
weeks with her."
"And at the end of that time you had
made up your mind to depend on yoar own
talents and industry for liveiihoodq'
"Yes."
"a decision which you will not now a.
bidc BY"
"Why not9 If / marry a poor man,
there is the more need that shouldn't be
entirely portionless. / claim years dc
lay, and will make the most of it,"
81 shall not admit your claim. Mako
your friend the promised visit, and then
we will be married."
"Under existing circumstances it appears
to me that no such haste will be indiscreet."
"Ihough l have il in my power to con-
vince you TO tho contrary, havo you not
confidence enough in me not to insist on
my doing 80 till we sit together by our own
firesidel"
81 have"
This was said in manner which show
ed that she WIS perfectly sincere.
"Be it 80, then," he said, "and think
you will not find that your confidence has
been misplaced"
ave not single fear that shall find
it to be-"
"Where shall our home be, Eleanori-
Have you any cholcei"
81 cannot ay that / have, since can
no longer dwell beneath the roof and wan
dor in the paths cndearcd and hallowed by
the presence Of my uncle. He WAS very
kind to me, Mr.. Stafford. A father could
not have been more so."
"And yet he know tha. by neglecting to
provide for you, you would be thrown pen
niless upon world that has no sympathy
for aught but ITSELF"
al don't hal;ava tbot bo J;l ro,lon, a.