Litchfield enquirer., 1867-05-02

and for long time we were both silent Nor, indeed, did she mention Mir. Suther lands name again, nor recur in any way te the subject, till about the middle of tho next day she suddenly sprung up from hel place by, the window and glancing at me witt. a vivid blush and smile ran out of the room, and heard her fly up stairs. Then knew who was coming, and l sat still because to move was entirely out of my power. So, when he entered the room, sat, and though held out my hand and tried to utter agreeing, know that my lips only murmured inarticulately. He look ed at me as ho held my hand in momen- tary grasp, and thought there was both pam and shock of surprise in his face Then he began:
 'I have not come unexpectedly, I hope? Mllly promised to ask you-to tell vou-''
 'She did tell me; I expected you," I strove to say; and hope I said 1t quietly.
 "Dld you guess why I wanted to see you?" be asked, with that directness of speech remembered so well.
 "1es l even went so far as that" I an- swered and smiled-oh! what wintry smile, if it did not belle my heart
 ''Of course could only have one pur- pose in asking to see you again." he went on quietly; ''but ah? Hester, what will you say to me this time?''
 'What does Milly say?'
 sMilly always Milly still! but Hester it is for you to answer me first" he said and abruptly walking from his position on tho hearth, he came and sat down beside me.
 "Hester-I must call you so-did your sister tell what said to her yesserlay?"
 ''She let nc infer it.
 ''Infer! Fildledeedee! Nothing like plain speaking to express meaning" he spoke out rather impetuously. ''Bnt you are so cold so unlike your old self, Hester, that | could not take it for an answer to what I came to ask. Did Milly tell you that vcs- terday-forI have grown to love that little girl dearly Hester Hester! What have ! said? What is the matter?" l hated. despised myself for the weak ness, hut the mortal struggle of yesterday was not gone yet. I could not hear this man, whom had loved so long, so deeply, avow to my face, his transferred affections to my sister, and be unmoved Involunta- rily grasped the arm of my chair for sup port for my life seemed fading from me in the struggle. He bent over me, he lifted my faint head on his broad breast, but ! shrank from him feebly.
 'lt is nothing, l am often faint, lam 1 go on, MT. Sutherland"
 Twas saying-ah, Hester-I think I need not go on-you are so changed dear" he said booking down at mo with sorrowful perplexity. "Well, we'll, NIilly led me on to hope; but ought to have known better. You never cared for me in the beginning as I did for you"
 ''Surely, surely, that by-eone ought to be l 2 Dy-0One now" I cried bitterly
 eff you say that, it ought, indeed" he answered turning from me; "but told YOU then Hester, that should not forget you and from something Milly said, and your remaining unmarried, I was wild enough to dream, to hope''-
 Something's light that dazzled my pool eyes-was breaking in upon me as he spoke.
 ':N1arkr' said I, "what did you come here to-day to ask me?'
 "The same question that I asked eight years ago by the stream in the marshes, Hester. have done with India; am no longer poor man, and I want the woman I have always loved. Hester, is this true: Is she mine at last?"
 For a long time, I think after this, we forgot the existence of any one beside our selves Then I told Mark the little game of cross purposes we had been playing. His incredulous wonder that I could imagine he had ever thought of any one but me touched me to the heart
 ''Poor Millyr' he said; ''so you would have put her off with the reversion of a heart. No, when she mar~ies may she be what you are, Hester-her husbands first and last love-"