The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-12-07

"Yes, go. will come tomorrow. Can-can
you kiss me?'
She threw her around him, and pressed
the fresh dewy lips upon his, and then went
slowly homeward. He watched herout of sight.
then turning he went into his home bolted the
door, and throwing himself upon the foor he
sobbed with the fearful throbs of man in NOR.
tai agony. Often, too, broken words escaped
him" Eloise, Eloise-loved, trusted, heartless;''
and then, lingeringly, the name of the child
"Efie! Etho Wilson-the child says that she
| loves me-
There was already large number Of Mrs.
wilson guests assembled, when Effies friend
came into the handsome parlor. The child,
| radiantly beautiful in her pure dress with its
pretty futtering blue ribbons, came forward at
once to meet him. There was a little blush of
PRIDE on her face as she noticed his appearance
Inc falr hands We're now white as a lady's; his
halr carefully arranged, was glossy and cluster
ed In heavy natural curls above u broad, white
forehead, while the face, calm and composed was
very handsome. Upon the twisted deformed
figure, was suit of handsome broadcoth, cut to
conceal as far possible the defects of form and
the easy grace of his bearing proclaimed Effie's
unerring instinct. It was evident that he was
gentleman
Mamma" said Effie, leading him forward,
''this is my friend, Mr.. -" and she hesitated.
John Mansfield madam" he said, courteous
ly; then, unheeding the deathly pallor that came
over her face, he said: "Your little daughters
kindness induced me to-day to break through a
retirement from society of nearly eleven years
continuance"
81 am very glad you honored u.s." she answer
ed, controlling herself by an effort that it made
Hettys heart ache to see, and then with graceful
courtesy she introduced him to her guests.
1t was successful party. Everybody went
home, well pleased with the hostess and enter
tainment, yet after the last guest had gone, Efie
sent to bed, and servants out of the way Mrs
Wilson paced her parlor in an agony that it was
dreadful to see in one usually calm
"After SO many years." she said, in answer to
Hetty's fearful sympathy, 81 thought he was
dead l was sure he was dead. o, Hetty, must
tell him 2"
wait little, Lucy. You know it was con-
ditional promise Test his love first, and his
sanity" she added, in a lower tone.
"For how long, Hetty?"
The tone was as implorng as that of a criminal
pleading TOR delay of his sentence.
suppose we say year"
sand We must invite him here often, Hetty
1t is only Justice
But it was not long before the act of Justice
became to Hetty pleasure she wonld scarcely
admit how great even to herself The invitation
sent through Ellie was eagerly accepted, and the
hunchback was soon a constant visitor at Mrs
Wilson's, and before many weeks a loved and
honored one.
| wish could make you see here something
Of the gentle lovelness of Hetty Payne's charac-
ter. She had never been beautiful, and now in
her thirteth year, there was nothing to redeem
her face from positive plainness, but its sweet
ness OF expression. Accustomed in her girlhood
to find herself slighted for her more brilliantly at.
tractive sister, she had grown timid and reserved
in society, but at home she was the gentle, tender
domestic woman whose quiet graces are more
valuable than any snowy accomplishments. It
was a new sensation to this gentleman, whose
handsome face was ample compensation for the
defects Of his figure, and whose noble heart and
cultivated mind were opened gradually, as the
home atmosphere wore away the ice Of reserve. |
John Mansfield was close student, and had been |
traveller, one who could drop egotism, yet |
give varied personal experience; could cloak |
Pedantry, yet display learning His love for |
Effie was almost idolatry; yet, a. the months |
wore away, Lucy marked with pleasure that !
Hetty voice and STEPPED call up to his face an ex.
preston of deeper emotion than even Effie had |
power to awaken.
November came, and again there were prepar-
ations on foot for q Thanksgiving party. It was
the night before the eventful dav, and Hetty
was in the library when John Mansfield entered
unannounced.
~ have come to bid you a long farewell" he
said abruptly. II am going to Europe"
She rose from her seat, white as death. 500
ing to Europe!" she echoed.
"Yesw the voice was harsh and changed
Laugh at me. mock me if you will, Hester
Payne. 1,-deiormsd-poor hand and
foot by chains cannot break love YOU"
She stood very STILL a great light coming grad.
ually into her sweet face, but after . moment
she said
n shall not mock you, my beloved!"
mo, no, Hester, do not say it! Oh, l never
dreamed of this. Love me! Oh, do not curse
me! am not free to love you, and I never
thought anybody could love me i! am married ~
Still the smile did not fade from her face
"sit down.here she said gently, "and tell me
your story
Something in her voice and look gave him a
strange feeling of hope.
"Why should tell You Z" he said, vet obey
ing her command sit is but the story Of vast
ed existence, made bitter by false woman's
broken faith. l loved madly, Hester; not as
love you, with the mature love OF manhood, with
n respect that is almost worship; but with that
blind idolatry of youth. She was wonderfully
so like Efie, that sometimes it be-
wilders me. was young then, straight as an
arrow, and had large wealth, inherited from a
father, who died. leaving me heir to an immense
factory, where he had coined money. We were
married. One year after fire broke out in the
factory. In endeavoringt to save my property went
into the buring edifce too late. A crushing fall
from above stunned me- and from long insensi-
bility and ILLNESS, awoke the thing | am We
were beggared, too, and became revolving to
her She never loved me, and when rose from
that bed of agony to find myself bankrupt, she
He'd away from me to her fathers house. I never
sought her, hut-she is my wife. l am rich
again, now, by legacy, but my wealth lies idle,
have no heart to spend, no right to love.'