Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-10-05

to be outl You'll be in your grave in six
months u
Miss Evelyn laughed mirthle.s sort of
laugh though.
Il don't know that that would be much
loss to the world, Mrs. Norris. But you
really fret yourself about me for nothing.
You don't know how strong 1 am. Nothing
hurts me-"
1t was q week after this that, coming to
the house of one of her wealthiest patrons,
Miss Evelyn found company in the parlor, a
gentleman talking to her pupil. The pupil
was pretty young lady Of eighteen-the
gentleman, Mr.. Chillingham. 1t was an
other wet morning and the music teacher s
garments were dripping.
Really, Miss Evelyn, hardly expected
you in this shower" the young lady said,
not over-graciously, II am engaged chi.
morning, and don't think l shall take my
lesson.'
Pray don't let me prevent you," said
Mr.. Chillingham. Miss Evelyn and 1 are
old friends, and 1 am more than happy to
meet her again.
He extended his hand she just touched
it. Her fingers like ice-her hand cold and
still as marble-told no tales. She could
almost forgive him his sudden appearance,
remembering that Mr.. Chillingham remain
ed all through the lesson, sitting in distant
corner holding book, and furtively watch
ing the music teacher. 1t might have touch
ed any heart that cared for her-the hagard
change in the once beautiful face. But the
book made shield for Mr. Chillingham ;
and, besides there was no one there to see.
After that, Miss Evelyn met Mr.. Chill
lingham very often at the house of her pref
ty pupil But the old intimacy was not re-
newed. Miss Evelyn was like fint-colder
to him than any stone. She listened, if he
would persist in talking to her, and answer
ed in monosyllables. She declined haught-
lily and perrmptorily when he asked per-
mission to see her home; and three days
after wrote = note to the young lady, beg
ging to be excused from further attendance.
Two days after, coming home late in
death with hard day. work, she found q
visitor awaiting her in the parlor. Going
in, she saw to her surprise and anger, Mr..
Chillingham. She stood before him, more
queenly than in the days of old, haughtily
questioning with fixed blue eyes.
Pardon me, Miss Evelyn, for this intru-
sion,'' he said, coming forward; 'but you
,hun me so persistently in other places, that
/ had no alternative. You have given me
no chance to say what have been longing
to say since have found you-that l love
you Constance, that l want you to be my
wife ~
She stood in pale amaze, looking at him.
She had loved him-.he did loye him dear
er than life. She clasped her hands over
her fluttering heart, not able to speak.
"You are the noblest and bravest woman
| ever met" he went on. Il thought so
long ago and loved you but l never knew
it so fully, and never loved you so dearly as
since your generous renunciat ton of fortune.
II | waited for time, Constance, it was
not that my love ever faltered, but wished
to see if you could brave adversely. You
have, heroically and now, loving you, l
think, better than man ever loved woman, l
ask you, Constance Evelyn, to be my wife. "
He held out his arms. With great sob,
she was caught and held to his true heart,
happy at last.
There wa. an hours delicious quiet in the
widows parlor. Then Mr.. Chillingham,
holding both her hands, and looking at her
earnestly, said, But have a revelation to
make, and pardon to crave, my queenly
Constance. / have deceived you ~
Deceived me!' she cried turning pale
"Yes, my dear, and many others. My
name is not dillingham;!
She sat looking at him-white and turn
ing cold.
lam George ChiIIingham Thorne, you
guardians nephew, long since supposed to
be dead in California, and am the heart
less scamp who has robbed you of your for
tune"
She gave little gasping cry. Mr.. G. G
Thorne laughed in her face, went on: =
did it with malice aforethought. wanted
to try you As they try gold in crucibfe
You have come out a thousand fold bright
er, and l am rewarded. Can you forsiv
me p
l suppose she did, for she married hin
and went back into society more regal ant
uplifted than ever. And as marriage is tn
ultinnatum of womanly hopes and the acm
Of early bliss, I presume l may leave her
THE Two FARMERs.-A good story
told of couple of Farmers who lived fey
| miles apart. One day one called on tn
other happening round at dinner time. Th
person called upon, by the way was penu
rious old fellow. He was seated at the ia
BILE enjoying his meal. The visitor drew u
to the stove, looking very wi.tfully at tn
farmer to ask him to dine. The old farme
kept on eating.
Whats the news up your way, neigh
bor 2" iStill eating.) mo news?"