The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1859-03-22


from you. .ksLg
"Taupt you, dearest" he said, drawing
me passionately toward hin. "Taunt you
who have grown to be nearer aud dcarcl
to me than any ono elscf when came
to YOU this morning to ask you 10 be my
wife-my wifeNellyi herepeated. {.
"You can not mean what you arc say
ing" | sobbed. "You arc rich, learned
and proud: | am poor, unknown, and un-
loved. l am sewing girl"
"Well, what Of thatW he asked. holding
me at arms length, as though bad been
the merest child, and looked half ster,ly,
and half roproachfully in my face. II am
weary Of fpido, pomp, and show. IL AK
for the love of your true, womapy heart
"a heart that has been kept pure and free
from the corroling dus,s of the world.
Give, Oh, give me home thorc, Nelly
'lf there is condecension on either side,
tits OF yours. You are trucr and purer than
am. Do not interrupt mo. Ifyou were
not your life could not flow out 80 calmly,
50 genly. J am better man, when near
you darling"
Oh, how like a bewildcring beautiful
dream his words made everything to mo
How rapidly and intoxicatingly tho assur-
ancc of his love went through tho waiting
chambers Of my soul forgot everything
hafdships, privations, insults, sorrow and de-
spair, as for one little moment ho drew my
wei ry head to his breast, telling mo that
hcncefor,h and forever it should DO my shell
ter, resting-place and shield.
Ala, hs, hap broke through my gold
en- joy, the quick, musical laugh Of Letita
Langdon. "Really this is interesting! !
Tow lucky forme that took freak to rise
early this morningI This beautiful path
etic blcau, free of expenscl Ha, ha, ha!
Shall surnnon spectators, Mr.. How
ard"
Just as you pleas, Miss Langiou," was
the cool, careless given reply, as be drew
me back to my seat. "Perhaps your en-.
joyment will DO increased, he wever if you
lave the selfish pleasure Of knowing that
it is unshared BY any one else.
Rally, Charles, this is q little beneath
you," she REPLIED in a ooncilistiug tone
"Don't, I beg of you, triAo with this poor,
unsophisticated creature any longer. OF
course it is perfectly excusable, for gentlc
men have rig t to seek amusement as
they cho Sc; but this girl, this servsnt Of
mine, really, she makes me blush that
am woman"
"Come hero Lolita, aud lot mo look at
you whilo you ara bushing," was the reply,
uiyen with q ljoht laugh
"Well, ycs, any thing said shc "Only
lot this girl be sent to her room. This is
no place for hor."
a quick fiery anger shono in Charles
Howard eyes at these words, such as bad
never seen there before; yet his voice WAS
calm as he said aloud to her: "Vcry well, ;"
and then whispered to me, "I'il take caro
of you, daring; do not fear"
Half an hour later, as was pacing TO
and fro across my chamber LcLitia Lang
don came 70 me, hcr beautiful atures dark
ened by frowns. did not tremble at her
anger but stood up siloutly and proudly
before her, waiting for her to conmenca
the marcioss TRADE which she had in readi.
ness for me.
"Woll, what have you to say for your
selfT sho began, her voice quivering with
rsge, "answer mel"
But dil not care to speak, and so re-
msined silent.
"Why don't you answer mei'' she asked,
with stamp Of her foot.
First, | must know by what authority
you question me-" replied.
''Girl, are you not my servant, working
for the home gave you! Afe you not
accounts Die to Inc for your Department.
"lf DO not ploasc you, can easily
leave" said, turning away from hcr.
ayes, and leave mo you should, but foi
Mr.. Howard's kindness and pity. Foolish.
ly enough, haze promised not to turn
YOU OUT ofdoors However, he carful how
you conduct yourself or you will go now,
she SAID, sweeping proudly towards the
door. She stopded snddesly and add d,
Il have few dresses which you may "a
well make for me. Mr.. Howard thinks
you will please US better than any one
else.
could but smile at her presumption as
she closed the door after her. "Mr. How
arl thinks you will please u.s. repeated
10 myslf, thankful that her insinuation had
no longer power 10 ruff the calm JOY Of
my heart
Two or three days passed away, and
did not mret or speak with Mr. Howard
again. But for my trust in bis love, my
perfect faith in h.s every plan, should
hav LETT the house OF Che Langdous, even
though | was forced to sleep in tho streets
Butb1 wished me to stay for some goo
reason. and 50 bore up bravely under in.
s-lts thn ary borlcred on curses. -
Lotitia told me that he l1okd upon me
with scorn anI contempt, whie he piticd
ne because was poor and fricndless; anil
! so she must, out Of Courtesy 10 hin insist
upon my sowing in my chamber instead oI
the sltnn-roomg.
But ono evening when supposed every
member Of the family WAS making merry
in the parlor stole down Ia the sitting
room for book had left there several
days before. As turned from the room
to cross the brilantly lighted hall, I m ct
Mr.. Howard. A sudden light broke over
his face az be saw me and with hands ex.
teRded he cane toward ms taking both
my own in his.