The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-10-19


membered now, that she had revealed
herself to him in IA dozen different ways,
had he but thought of it, and he wonder
ed now that he had been blind so long.
He had half mind to wait and amuse
himself by seeing when and how she
would reveal herself; but he was too ca
ger for the denouement, to do this, and
besides, he judged rightly in supposng
that she would drop the character and
disappear without explanation, when
her brother returned, for such had been
her intention.
People who called that afternoon,
thought our editor wonderfully absent
minded but his wandering wits came
back from their wool-gathering when
Alice. returned in the evening. Waiting
till the evenings work was done, and
they were about TO quit the Office, he
turned to her suddenly and said:
''Have you lost anything lately, ALI
SOM"
"Not that l know off, And Alice put
her hand in her pocket, but without re-
vealing her loss.
"Does this belong to you?" And he
regarded her with keen, searching
glance, as he gave her the letter.
She took it carelessly, but the instant
she glanced at the superscription, and
then up to his face, she knew that he had
discovered the truth, and crimsoning to
the roots of her hair, and overcome by
an impulse of shame, she turned without
Il word, and was leaving the Office, when
firm hand was laid upon her arm.
'sDo not go, Alice, or grieve that the
truth is revealed to me,0 said Mr.. More
ly, earnestly. II know your motives,
and what were your necessities, too we'll
to blame you very severely. But you
must have known that it was danger
Gus experiment.
"My choice was between that, starva-
ton, and the streets, sobbed Alice, shud-
dering at the remembrance; land now
you can disgrace and turn me out again,
ifyou wish" And she sank into a seat
and buried her face in her hands.
"Alice, have ! ever given you reason
to wrong me thus ?" said Mr.. Morcley,
in deep agitated voice.
"No, no; you have been all that is no
BILE, kind and generous, and for my sake,
as well as your own, you will keep my
secret, and shield my name from Ohio
guy" 49,. :; ;.,
Alice"
"But must leave you. You will not
have a woman i'll your office, knowing
ly."
"Yet | cannot spare you, Alice. You
have done me world of good, and al
most saved my life by coming here, and
/ cannot now begin to do without you"
''But you must, for Arthur is coming
home land wouldnot have him know
She had hushed her sobs, but the express
sion of his face as she looked up, made
her hesitate.
"Alice," he said, in a tone that was
eloquent with emotion, eff know my
self, the world would be blank to me if
you should leave me forever. O, stay
with me always, and become my Wife,"
''But you hate women. You despise
the whole seX.n
81 hate their vanity and folly; and if
you could but return a 1.-THE of the deep
love | bear you, l could worship the
whole of them for yoursake. YouknoW
me well, and that | am many years your
senior, and knowing this, can you love
me we'll enough to be my wiie:o
Alice looked up into the strong, manly
face that bent over her, to read its anXi-
Gus solicitude for her favor; but still she
doubted
You know my poverty and depen-
dence," she said, 'and ii is pity alone
that you feel for me.''
"No, by my hopes of Heaven! For
years lonely-hearted man, felt the
magnetism Of your presence, though !
knew notall the causes, from the moment
you first entered the Office. But l see
how it is. You cannot return my affec-
ton, and say in your heart that the
bright spring and the dreary autumn
were never designed for the same place
in the seasons. My age and plain per-
son." said he sorrowfully, "are-"
ono objections with me-" said Alice
impulsively. did you think l could
not see the noble soul through its plain
outward setting? Or that all your kind
ness and generosity wero lost upon me ?
No, Mr.. Moreley, have seen and felt
it all, as an impulsive woman must, and
for mouths have been conscious Of such
deep and absorbing love for you as |
had never felt for another"
"Ihank God for the precious gift, my
darling" he said, as the blushing face
was hid for brief moment upon the bo-
som to which she was pressed so ten
derby.
''Life will bloom anew for me if this
is true, dear Alice"