The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-07-19
MORNING, JULY 10, 1867.


: Once, in a half absent way, he told Dora
that when she was woman she must wear
her hair a. Miss Nelson had arranged hers
that day, and herself liking tho artistic ef.
feet Of the soft loops. they became Theo.
doras habit. Knowing that he admired
tho white cameo he had selected for Dora's
giR, Il clasped the throat Of her wrapper
always Of morning. Observing that his
eye expressed approval Of soft gray silk
she possessed, she often wore Il. '''' ~
' The motive In oil this was gratitude, and
an unconscious love. She would out OF
Her right hand II Il would have given Mr..
Granger any pleasure. His gloom wss the
sorrow Of her life. When she won him from
10 for an hour she was happy. ~. .iF'
So two years had passed, and 10 daughter
ID homo Of father was happier than was
this orphan girl. i'h iI'.'r ..'.i.. "
8 Then certain guest caue oitsn TO the
House. He was q DR.. Lamington, one Of
Che ablest practitioners OF The city-a man
oftalent, Who was rapidly amassing for.
tune. He had seen fheodorn at arstat the
bedside Of little Dora, when the child had an
attack Of sickness He became interested IN
her, paid court to her-6nally offered her
HE heart and hand. Then II was that Mr..
Granger had said: WYE. ~
"Itis an offer, Miss Nelson. which you
would do we'll to give some thought to-"
How gravely and coolly he said it-and
what shock 70 her there wss Ia his quiet
words ?-Theodora started from her stupor,
and cast herself down upon lounge. II was
the crisis of her life. Alone In her chamber
she commenced the struggle which should
decide her destiny. n. -.
I"She faces the bare, painful fact that she
loved Mr.. Grungcr., She loved him % the
source Of all her lifss hsppinsss. And his
words had shown hsf tho gulf between thon.
How kindly his geutieness met hers they
were socially at a distapce!" She never
thought OF such things, but she knew that
Mr.. Granger did, that he valued his patriot.
an blood -patrician In the highest sense OF
tho word; II was blood kept puro from
taint Of Vice through dozen generations.
A hot fash came to Theodoras cheek as she
thought Of her father. No, her ancestors
were not her bcneiactors, and Mr.. Granger
would not marry his governess even II he
loved her. '
The fine grave dark face came up before
her. She dropped her face upon her arm,
murmuring,-"l would die for him !-ah, !
would die FOR him"
Her happiness was all past. The late
event had broken apart the invisible ribbons
which bound her to her love. II would
never be tho same again. She could not
stay there. '-,. '' .'."
Where should she go7 ,.
For the first time the thought came
"Why not, DR.. Lsmington 2" - Y
The pretty chamber was still but for the
ticking Of the watch which had been her
Christmas glft. Tho red fre-light played
upon tho wall, tiny marble yantho glim.
mering in corner, Theodore lay still and
thought.
Night came and pressed heavy black.
ness against the windows the tiro died
down. Theodore arose shivering. Two
hours had passed. ...,
al have decided" she said.
A certain, Iightness was upon her, though
she had decided to 60 out into the world,
homeless, upon the next day.
She went down stairs and softly opened
the library door. Mr.. Granger looked up
from his book.
"well, Miss Nelson !" y.
"About Laminston ? We'll, how may I
ask i"'
al shall not marry him."
Mr.. Granger sat looking quietly at the
anthracite ON the crate.
&. care you sure that you comprehend the
advantages OF his offer ?" hc said at last.
al am sure that do not love him. I do
not need to know any more"
There was silence.
"Mr. Granger 7" .....
"Well2 7"
"l find Il desirable to change my position.
My quarter is finished tomorrow, and
shall be Obliged to leave you them,
IIe bowed she spoke in o tone which 70.
auircd no more. Then she turned TO the
door. She had opened II when she heard
her name pronounced as she had never heard
IL before. b..
She looked back. ''
.will you come bcrel" Mr.. Granger
said, putting out his hand.
Unconsciously sho went to him. He took
her hands and drew her down 70 little foot.
stool at bis side. %
"Theodora!" ho said softly, "will you
not stay here as my wiie 7" m.
.,Do you love mel" simply. =. M
$50 help mo God, as never before In my
life."
The blessed words she clung to him with
o little cry. -.
.Do you know how happy I am no said
g Do YOU know what you have done for me
will not talk OF the past, Thoodora-it Ia
not pleasant subject; but for. 80 long ]
have needed an assurance (! My sweet child,
how many times have wished that you low
Cd me my life has been 90 bitter and bar.
rem I! I had dreams sometimes. but! I would
not yield to them why should you love me
a gloomy, middle-aged man 2 Yet you wsro
such o comfort THIN this offer of flaming
tons came. made the decision that II you
did not love him, and withstood the advant-
ages Of his offer, that should know your
heart to DO more true than any heart ever
before found In my life. Then would win
you Il could. All, my darling, your fsank
eyes betrayed you tonight, when you made
your voice 10 cold. You love mo as love
you, my gift Of God.
The crisis Of life was passed, and she was
1t rest. ...
ASKING QuprIoSs.-Thero sre few posi-.
tons Of moro dolicaoy than iuterrogating
C.knnIs D-voc;sllv voro~ .chol,r~