The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-03-30

dlSmOunt. Granger I1teu MISS Aubrey
from her horse, with a whispered word
thst made her laugh ring out like chime
of bells.
Granger stayed to dine. They met at
table.
Granger started and changed color,
nearly letting glass fall from his hands
at the introduction. But August fixed
on him cool, scornful eyes, nor betrayed
by aught else that he was more than the
merest stranger to her.
1t was almost their last meeting for
weeks. They did not seek each other,
Edith Aubrey was not pretty; she was
only delicate and pure, looking, with a
colorless cheek and beautiful hair. But
she was the heiress of Rockledge, and
Granger was not her only suitor.
August meditated all these things, and
then struck deep.
i must leave you, Mr. Aubrey" she
said at the end of six weeks.
Leave me, August! Why? Are you
not contented2 Cannot we make you
happy amongst us p
August had the utmost respect for Mr..
Aubrey, but she faced him with q lie.
Il do not want to leave you, no. But
l am young and poor, Mr.. Aubrey, and
have no one to protect me against in
furious reports that some person has set
ahoat l cannot bear them
What are they?'
"That am designing to make myself
mistress of Rockledge,"
"Who could SANDER modest girl in
that way, August"
Il do not know where the story Origi-
mated, but it is before me everywhere l
90. l see it in the faces Of the servants
here in the glances of the shopmen Of
the town. My own mother repeated it
to me yesterday, when l went home
which was true. Miss Berne was guilty
chiefly of exaggeration; but Mr.. Au-
brey's good heart waxed strong at the
news.
"Foolsr' he exclaimed; "will the gos-
sips of this town never leave me in
peace? August, if you would become
mistress of Rockledge, l think they wo'd
have nothing more to say"
Here was August's plan completed.
'I am old enough to be your father; l
am crippled and an invalid; but you do
not seem to care for young men, August,
and I would give you everything money
can buy. You like Rockledge, you say.
Will you not stay as my wife? 1 cannot
let gossip rob me of my reader,my pret-
ty companion, who just suits me. Can
you be contented: AugustT'
81 do not know"
81 will make over my fortune into
your hands. You shall have your free
dom, to do as you like, only l want to be
sure that no one will steal you away from
me- / want you to be happy, and not
quite to dislike me. Would this suit
you? You will outlive me, Of course.
You can marry for love then, if you
like. Now, will you have Rocllledge and
me?'
And she accepted.
The wedding came off. Filth Aubrey
was cut out of her fortune by this sud
den change; but August laughed through
her wedding-vail at sight of Granger
gnawing his under lip. He was utterly
at loss. He had never loved Edith, ,and
he had loved August; but gold had
tempted him.
With smiling lip and angry eye, he
came up to Mrs. Aubrey to offer his con-
gratulations. She bent her head over
her boquet, and whispered:
Il need coachman, and Edith can be
my waiting maid"
He turned from her with muttered
oath, and she sent after him moclking
laugh. Roclllcdge was certainly fur
nished with new servants and many beau
tiful additions; but August was truly
kind to Edith She persuaded her not
to marry Granger. When she did mar
ry, year later, she furnished her with a
magnificent dover. Granger went to
California