The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-08-21

| himself into the Earl's friendship. To such An
| extent mao ne accomplished this, that when he
proposed Ior the hand of Grace, the old gentle.
man was Delighted, and insisted that she should
comply But she had read the character of her
suitor. and persistently refused. One violent
interview followed another, until Grace left
!empleton Palace, willing to endure any priva.
non rather than marry against her will, or sub.
mt TO the repetition of the violent scenes In
the end the Earl was forced to confess that he
had been woefully deceived and truly unkind.
Grace was standing alone with Paul Ventnor
IN the great library Of Foley Hall. He knew
that she was going on the morrow, but he did
not know that she belonged to the noblesse. His
heart was sad and he kept his teeth hard shut as
II thereby to keep back an avowal Of his pas
sion. Grace had learned to love him dearly, and
| suspected his motive for remaining silent.
Il must bid you good bye, as you will not be
here Tomorrow" she said softly, holding out her
white hand to him. II shall miss your sermons
very much"
"And myself also, had hoped" he said, sadly
and humbly.
Sand yourself also,' repeated Grace in her
truthful way, and with heightened color. "Your
congregation do not appreciate, you Mr.. Vent.
nor. Your salary is far too meager for the talents
you possess, for the labor you perform. The
rectorate of Shadestone is vacant. It is worth
two thousand pounds. All, if you had that, Mr..
Ventnor.'
Eyes, if you" repeated Paul, his voice trem.
bling. 81 know what would do then
He averted his face to stiae his emotion
erase knew what he wanted to say, and-wo-
man like-determined to make him say il. With
her eyes fixed upon him, and tapping the floor
with her daintily slippered foot she asked, in a
low, sweet voice:
"What would you do then ?"
He turned full upon her, his dark and hand.
some face all in glow. He caught her hand
and said, in thick, husky voice
What would do then? I would hold your
hand thus, and say: Grace I love you with nv
whole soul; Icannot live without you be mine!
be mine !"
Paul was trembling and Graces face flushed
with pleasure.
ut strikes me that you have said it anyhow"
she said. with little gay laugh, and withdraw
ing her hand said :"
"When you are rector of Shadestone I will
hear you with more complacency. Good night,
Mr.. Ventnor."
The young curate went away from Foley Hall
with heavy heart, and the next Sabbath was q
dull and prosy one indeed. But on the next
Monday following, he received very great sur.
prise, in the shape of a document bearing an
Earl's crest, reading as follows:
1EMPLELON 1ALACE, Dec. B.
To Paul Vent,0r, Citrate at BladeSburqh:
Dear Sir-The Rectorate at Shadestone awaits
your acceptance. By Christmas we would expect
to find you in charge
Yours in haste,
MARCUS TEMPLEToN.
Then followed one of the Earl's blunt post.
scripts:
Ny daughter Grace recommended the appoint.
ment.
Paul Ventnor was almost dumbfounded-he
sank into chair and burst into tears. He
was appreciated at last, and the Rectorate of
Shadestone was his. How was it to be explained
Was the fair mendicant of the lodge gate an
Earls daughter? Had the crown piece he drop.
ped into her hand brought him an annuity of
$4,000 year.
He accepted the offer, and by the holidays was
in charge. In course of time Grace explained
all to him, then he renewed his proposition,
which she entertained with very gratifying
"complacency"
But when he applied to the Earl he was blunt.
ly refused. Grace interceded, and was also re.
fused.
Father. she said, "what is a Templeton's
word worth? p
GAS much as his bond, child, and rigidly kept
from father to son down proud ancestral line"
"See,' she said. II hold your written words
Vol 90 ponu, inueeu, Win your CREST ana name az.
tached. In it you say shall marry whomso.
ever 1t shall please me to marry Well, please
to marry Paul Ventnor, the recter OF Shade.
stone"
The Earl's clouded brow then relaxed. Fair
and proud as any queen his daughter looked,
with her brown expectant eyes fixed upon him.
He went to her, put his arm around her, kissed
her, and said:
BE it so, child; am fairly caught Though
Ventnor is not titled, he is true, handsome
great.hearted fellow. He will be Dean before
he dies. May you ever be happy together"