Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-06-19
Srlctt Gale.
r E TR B U TION.
CHAPTER II.
HANDS NET HEARTS.

1t was terrible misfortune Independent
Of the melancholy loss of the child, indepen-
dent Of the non.recovery Of his body, it was
deep misfortune in pecuniary point OF view.
With her sons death nearly all the fortune
of Mrs Yorke passed from her, and her in
come in future would be reduced to extreme.
ly narrow limits. Her own pension, as the
widow Of Colonel Sherrington, had left her
at her second marriage and her daughters
pension had ceased at the age of eighteen,
because she was not then in India Some
thing like hundred and fifty pounds q year
she would have, al told-just enough, as she
groaned, to starve upon. Her grief was in.
deed pitiabe She persisted in attributing
all the blame Of the childs death to the
daughter she treated her with uukindness
could not endure the sight Of her, and when
she did see her it was to burst into sobs and
reproaches.
II should not bear it," observed Mr.. Yorko
one day, to Elizabeth.
as it just?' returned Elizabeth in pas
siouate tone to appeal. "When | saw him
to the door Of the college, how could ina.
CINE that it was only to blind me-that he
would disobedeLtly run to the canal the mo-
ment l was out Of sight? Is it just of nam.
mar
"No-very unjust. say should emanci-
pate myself"
II cannot live this lire 1t makes me so
wretched that sometimes begin to doubt
whether | am not really guilty. will 60 out
as governess, rather than bear it,
"Why not say as housemaid ?" sareastieal-
ly returned Mr. Yorke: las fit as the other
for Colonel Sherrington's daughter. Let me
emancipate you, Elizabeth"
She cast at him rapid glance. The hour
was come that she eXpected-sometime
doubted if she had not dreaded.
"You cannot be ignorant Of my feelings"
this place, which hate. You must know
that love you passiorately y-far more pas
sionately than he did, Elizabeth"
"Who?' she exclaimed, with q rush con-
scious color.
"Janson. As if you did not know"
"Why do you bring up Janson !" she said
What is Janson to me"
elizabeth, you will be my wife Do not
refuse" he impetuously ADDED. Il have
sworn that if you are not mine you shall nev.
er be another's
"Mr. Yorke ~
Il cannot live without you. love you too
passionately for my own peace. Elizabeth
yol must be mine"
What was she to answer? She did not
know. A conflict was at work within her
She liked Mr.. Yorke, what she knew Of him,
which was but little; but she lored Edward
Janson. But he was poor and Mr.. Yorke
was rich.
Give me till tomorrow, and you shall
have an answer" she said to him. This has
come upon me suddenly"
Very we'll. Remember, Elizabeth, that
during the suspense | shall neither eat nor
sleep; shall have neither peace nor rest. Be
my wife, and your days shall be dream of
love"
"a dream of loveY Y she bitterly repeated
as he left her. For h:m, perhaps; not for
me-"
She remained in her room till evening,
communing with herself, and then she sought
Mrs Horke, saying she wished to consult her.
81 am not worth consulting now," was the
querulous answer. My spirits are gone my
heart is broken"
"Mr. Yorke wants NE to marry him."
"Mr. Yorke !" returned her mother, some.
what aroused. HAS he asked you ?"
"Yes-to.day"
Then you are more lucky than you de-
serve"
81 do not know whether to accept or reject
him."
Reject him !" fercely interposed Mrs.
Yorkei you are out of your senses. With
his iine fortune his position, his amiability-"
is he amiable ?" asked Elizabeth "He
puzzles me at times"
What puzzles you?"
"His words. ! don't understand them
And the expression of his countenauce.
"Had you not better set up for a phrenoo-
gist-or whatever they call the charlatans
who pretend to read faces ?" sarcastically re-
torted Mrs. Yorke.
g Mamma, listen. If do accept him il will
be because | am unhappy here"
"Pray, why should there be an if in the
matter at all 2 Why should you hesitate, or
think of rejecting him ?"
Because do not love him." answered
Elizabeth, in low tone. ~ like Mr.. Y orke
but it requires more than liking to marry
man-or ought to-"
"oh, if you are going to run on about ro.
nance aud sentiment, do not understand it,"
returned Mrs. Yorke. 81 never did more
than like my two husbands, yet was happy
with them. My love was wasted on somebo.
dy else-when was almost a child"
was 1t y cried Elizabeth, eagerly.
1T was; aud was over and done with be-
lore married, and did not make the less
good vile. 1t is SO with ninety. nine women
out OF every hundred, and their welded lives
are all the happier for their early romance be-
ing over. Romance and reality do not work
we'll together, Elizabeth. You are nexperi-
enced, child"