The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-12-24

dropped TO my right place in your cstima-
ton, haven't /? Don't notice me! Don't
pity me! For Gods sake, 60 awayr
She turned round on sudden, and beat
her hands wildly on the back of the otto
man. Her head dropped on the cushions /;
and she burst out crying, Before had
time TO feel shocked at this, was horror
struce by an entirely unexpected proceed
ing on the part OF Mr.. Godfrey. VIII it
be credited that he fell on his knees Mt her
feet2-on both knees, l solemnly declare!
MAY mo,lesty mention that he put his
arms round her next-and mas reluctant
admiration acknowledge that he electrified
her with two wor,ls2
Noble creaturer
No more than that! But he did IL with
one Of the bursts which have made his
fame rs public speaker. She sat either
quite thunder struck. or quite fascinated
Il don't know which-without even max
ing an effort to put his arms back where
his arms ought To have been. AS for me,
my sense of propriety was completely be-
wildered. l was so painfully uncertain
whether il was my first duty 10 close my
eyes, or to stop my ears, that did neither.
/ attribute my being still able to hold the
curtain in the right position for looking
and listening. entirely to suppressed hys-
terics. In suppressed Mysteries, I, is adj
mittcd even by the doctors, that one must
hold something.
Yes he said, with all the fascination
of his evangelical voice and manner. you
are noble creature! A woman who can
speak the truth, for the truths own sake
IA woman who viii sacrifice her pride,
rather than sacrifice an honest man who
loves hers the most priceless OF all
treasures. When such woman marries,
If her husband only wins her esteem and
regard, he wins enough to ennoble his
whole life. You have spoken, dearest, Of
your place in my eitimation. Judge what
that place is-when implore you on my
knees, % let the cure OF your poor wound
ell heart be my care. Rachel! will you
honor me, win you bless me, by being my
wife% '........ .......
By this time should certainly have de-
cided on stopping my ears, If Rachel had
not encouraged me To keep them open, by
answering him in the first sensible words
l had ever heard foil from her lips.
'Godfreyr she said, you must be mad"
Il never spoke more reasonably, dear
est-in your interests, rs well rs in mine.
Look for moment to the future. Is
your happiness TO be sacrificed to man
who has never known how you feel to-
ward him. and whom you are resolved
never to see again? Is II not your duty
to yourself to forget this ill-fated attach
ment-and is lorgetfulness to be- found in
the life you are leading now? You have
tried that life and you are wearying OF it
already. urronSSpourself with nobler
interests tkGsI the wretched interests of
the world. A heart that loves and honors
you; home whose peaceful claims and
happy duties win gently on you day by
day. try the consolation, Rachel, which is
be found there! don't ask for your love
Il will be- content with your affection and
regard. Let the rest be left, confidently
left, to Your husbands devotion, and 10
Time that heals even wounds rs deep rs
yours
She began to yield already. oh, what
bringing-up she must have had! Oh.
how differently should have acted in her
place!
Don't tempt me, Godfrey she said; Il
am wretched enough rs ii is. Don't tempt
me to be more wretched and more reckless
stillr
'One question, Rachel. Have you any
personal objection to me"
Il! | always liked YOU. After what
you have Just said to me, should be in
sensible indeed if didn't respect and ad-
mire you rs WELL
do YOU know many wives, my dear
Rachel. who respect and asmire their
husbands? And vet they and their hus-
bands get ON very well. How many
brides go TO the altar with hearts that
would bear inspection by the men who
take them there? And yet it doesn't end
unhappily-somehow or other the nupttal
establishment joys ON. The truth Is, that
women try marriage rs Refuge, far more
numerously than they are willing to ad-
init; and. what is more, they find that
morriagc has justified their confidence in It.
Look at your own case once again. M
your age, and with your attractions, is II
possible for You TO sentence yourself to a
single life? Trust my knowledge of the
world-nOthing is less possible. 1t is
merely question of time. You may
marry some other man, some years hence.
Or YOU way marry the man, dearest, who
is now ut your feet, and who prizes your
respect and admiration above the love OF
any other woman on the face of the earth.
Gently, Godfrey! YOU are putting some
thing into my head which never thought
of before. You are tempting me-with a
new prospect, when all my other pros
poets are closed before me. tell you
again. | am miserable enough and desper-
ate enough, il you say another word. To
marry YOU ON your own terms, Take the
warning, and 90" -.
Il won't even rise from my knees till
YOU have said yesH
If lS.y yes you will repent. and / shall
repent when il is too hate!
we shall both bless the day, darling,
when pressed. and when YOU yielded
do You feel rs confidently rs you
speak"
You shall Judge for yourself. speak
from what have seen in my own family.
Tell me what YOU think of our household
nj Grizinghall. Do my father and mother
live unlnppily together!
Far from it-so for rs can See
when my mother was girl, Rachel
Gt isno secret in the famlly), she loved rs
You lovc-shc had given her heart to a
man who was unworthy of her. She
married my father, respecting him, ad-
miring him. but nothing more. Your
own eyes have seen the result. Is there
mn a,cn,,r.. .c,n,nt Ia 4, c,r ,.n,, ,,.l c,r
me2n.
You won't hurry me, Godfrcyr
MY time shall bc yours
You won't ask me for more than can
give"
Ny angel, I only ask you to give me
yourself
Take mcr
In those two words she accepted himl
He had another burst-a burst of unho-
ly rapture this time. He drew her nearer
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