The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1865-11-29

CHATTER /,


"And if they order you to give me up,
Mildred, what will you do:''
Tho scene was coy and rather handsome
room in an English country house. The walls
were lined with books, and table, Uttered
with dictionaries and grsmmars, stood in a
recess between the bow-windows. Gu side
were to be seen the gay tints of pleasant
fower-garden, and the bright spring sun
shine, streaming into the room, lighted up
even the heavy damask window -curtaias ana
the dark leather armchair drawn up to the
hearth. In this chair sat n tall, spare man
OF about tWenty-sevcn, whose closely shaver
aud rather thin face wore Il somewhat stern
look, bclied by "a pleasant voice and kindly
genial smile. A pair of thinly mouhtcd
short sighted spectaclcs made him look oldc,
than he really was, but behind them twin
Killed. pair Of remarkably handsome gray
eyes. A girl Of seventeen was standing on
the rug before the fire, her bright hair tum-
bled rather untidily about her face, and
the little fingers somewhat daubed with ink
held German grammar, ms if She had come
to task her masters help in the matter Of the
haf-written exercise lying on the table.
Every one who visited the Royal Academy
in 1862 remembers Mr.. Mlla s. beautiful
Trust me-" Mildred Grant might have
been taken for the girl in that picture; she
was so like her as to render further descrip-
ton unnecessary.
And il they order you to give me up,
Mildred, what will you do? 2"
lie asked the question: but he probably
needed no answer, and Mildred gave none.
except such as might be conveyed by SHY
look from under her cyelds, but she came
close up to the big chair, and, standing by
the side Of il, laid her hand on the arm. A
larger hand covered it instantly and Mr..
Reeve looked up into her eyes.
"And you really think you have courage
to hold out! Four years, Mildred; it is u
long time Poor child, you have a good deal
to go through, but how to help it -.
never felt 50 inclined to grumble at my
position"
Really?" she questioned with CLEAN of
smile, then, changing her tone. :. But don I
you think there is a little chance Of their
conserving now!"
dearest childic, no. When you say that
sort Of thing, n almost makes me feel us ii |
had taken wrong advantage of your ignor
ance Of the world No, Milly, if you ever
belong to me. it can only be when you are
twenty lone, and your own mistress and in
all the time till then shall never be allowed
to see you. Hcigh-ho But STILL" he add
ell, as if talking to himself, sit wouldn't be
right, it wouldn't be honorable, to keep them
, in ignorance. No, il must DO told tonight,
coute que eoute."
Helapsed into silence, but presently began
again. Mildred had left her position by his
chair, and seated herself Oh q footstool be-
fore the fire.
People would say Twas talking nensonsc
but really don't think it will be such very
bad thing for you after all. know you love
Inc, and don't believe you ever could love
any one else SO wcll.' Her lips formed
'.never," but the sound was scarcely audi
BILE. land you see, poor as am. believe
! shall always be able to maintain myself by
teaching or writing. Perhaps could get on
the staff of one Of the newspapers, and you
will have money enough to make you rich
under any circumstances
Millrel veercd round upon her footstoel,
and put her two hands clasped together up
on his knee.
. don't believe you care for me bit, or
you wouldn't say such unkind things on pur-
pose to vex me- Such nonsense, too," she
went on, with the pretty pcttishness of a
child; and, indeed, she looked little more
las if when vel mean some day every
thing have won't be yours your very own,
and not mine at all. And m 50 prond some
times when think it will make difference
to you. And want You TO do me a great,
great favor. fon won't like it, know, but
you must promise not to scold me just this
once, ana sAe looked At MIN with pleading
eyes
lie did not seem much inclined to to be
.osgry.
",What is it, Milly?'
"B promise me you'll do it ?"
That's What ,tn, n al m a al. whom o,I
were little bit Of child; but must hear
/ lvhat this wonderful favor is, first. l don't
hlt0gethcr trust you in these sort of things.
- "Well, but you must dc it. Why don't you
saw il for me? It is SO hard to get out, and
you know what mean"
She hid her face in her hands that were
still on his knee, and went on.
- mean Tiff you have TO leave Chalcy,
! you may be long time before you get work
\ that will suit you, and I've more money than
know what to do with, even now, and If you
would only take littlc-only little-and
spend it for me, it would make me so very,
very happy" And, on the verge of crying,
she put on his knee little purse, netted with
bright silk and beads, in which lay bank
notes to the amount Of G1OO. IIc opened
and looked anthem with moved expression.
For second ne did not speak, then he took
them out, and tucked them into her hand
shutting it tightly with his own. 7
"Milly, cannot do it, he said, .my dar.
ling Ill keep the purse as long o. l live. bu,
you must not ask the other. 1 could moi
speak openly and fairly to your guardian Il
had touched it-Mildrcd, | oannot'
She said no more. but rose and stood look
& ing at the fire with sorrowful face. Pres
emily he reused himself, and, looking at his
watch, said:
"lht away your book, childie, aud we
will hare last walk together; they need
not grulgc ny that, at all events"
She o,eyed in silence, and methodicaly
tidied tn, room.
"CoasAsrs. Mildred he said. when n,