The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-12-23

occurred to Annie that his visits had any
connection with herself fancy he gave
Mr.. Linn hint from the first but the
old gentleman wisely held his peace, and
suffered events to take their course, never
dreaming that any daughter Of his could
be insane enough to refuse one Of the
richest men in the country, and in every
respect all that reasonable woman could
desire,
| When the truth did dawn npon Armies
mind, she was sorely troubled but it
was difficult to know what course to pur-
sue w e~
Martin began to ask her to drive out
with him, and as the invitations were
given in her fathers presence, he accepted
them for her without the least hesitation.
At last people began to gossip and make
remarks. TWAS currently reported that the
pair were engaged long before Martin had
found courage to show her more than eom
mon civility
At length Martin made her an offer of
his heart and hand, with the air of man
who did not dream of refusal, as was
natural after her fathers encouragement
:" en- sorry" (she was obliged to in
terrupt him in order to speak, at was
not expecting this. I cannot be Your wife
Mr. Martin"
He stared at her in astonishment for an
instant, but could not believe her in ear
nest.
You think I ought not to have spoken
so abruptly, and want 10 punish me for
it," he said.
No, Indeed. cannot marry you. I
don't want to give you pain; but please
don't talk of this any more, Mr. Martin
I shall always be your friend, but I can
never be anything more"
"But your father always gave me rea-
SON to hope" he said, turning red and
pale with mingled pain and modification
II never gave him any cause to do So
believe me. 1t was not until very lately
that | ever dreamed your visits were in
tended for me-" ,9t.I aa.qa
"But you will think differently will
not take your answer now"
"You must, Mr. Martin-indeed you
must. shall never change" ~
you do not think me worthy of your"
he demanded angrily.
at is not that" she answered, sadly.
g [ have no heart to give any man."
She grew 80 white that for the first
time he remembered the talk there had
been concerning her and Charlie Manson
That thought helped to check his rising
anger; but he began to plead his cause
again.
She was very kind, but perfectly firm,
and he was at length obliged to acknow-
edge, in his own mind, that she was per-
fectly serious, and that no persuasion
ho,, - AL L L. |
the world as his wife. I
He sought Mr. Linn, and informed him
of his ill-success.
"She can't mean it % exclaimed the
Did man, all the advantages of the match
rushing more strongly than ever upon
lim. "These girls never know what they
want"
"Miss Annie seems to, at all events"
"Nonsense ! She wanted to tease you.
{" I never saw girl show less inclina-
ion"
"I'll talk to her" returned the old man G
n his imperative way. 81 shall see you
,o-morrow-it will be all right"
Mr.. Martin went his way, divided in
his opinions, and greatly chagrined at the
probable overthrow of all the pretty cas-
lies IN the air he had been industriously
rearing during the past weeks of blind
obscurity.
"What's this Martin tells me? de-
manded Mr.. Linn, abruptly entering the
room where Annie still sat, her thoughts
going back to the previous year, whose t
narrow round had swallowed up the brief {
summer of her life. He says you refused
him."
"I did, father" she answered, tremb
ling little before his power, but retain
ing the composure and courage which she
had gained from sorrow.
81 should like to know why ?"
She took his arm and drew him to the
window, pointing toward the distant
graveyard bathed in the soft light of even
ing,
Because, when you laid him down
there to rest you buried my heart there ]
also" -
The old mans arm fell to his side She
went out of the room in silence, leaving
him, for the time, so much shaken, that
he could not pursue the subject either by !
or threat.
4 x
Three years more had gone by. Mr.. .
Linn was grown an old man, and, as he t
reared the grave his rugged nature began I
20 soften. He turned from his sons coarse
ness, and sought comfort in Armies affec- I
ion and gentle ministering care, which
never failed him; and cheered by her pre-
,ence, he went on toward the moment
when he put off humanity and its trials
ike worn out garment that the eager !,
soul despised.
The brothers were greatly dissatisfied :
with the wiil--Annie shared equally with :
Them. It would have beer quite enough I