The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-01-07

But would you think OF IL quite Us pSn.y -, -.
you do, IL the thing was done (let US say) VIE
your own sister,
The first consideration which now naturso
occurred to me, was this. Would Mr.. uodlIe,
Ablewhite hold to his engagement, AFTER Wha'
his lawyer had discovered for himf
II depended entirely on his pecuniary pce''
ton, Of which knew nothing. II that position
was not desperate one, 1t would DC weii worm
his while to marry Miss Verinder for her income
alone. II, on the other hand, he stood In ur-
gent need Of realizing large sum by gwen
time, then Lady Verinder's Will would e1actly
meet the case, and would preserve her daughter
from falling into scoundrel's hands. -,
4 In the latter event, there would be no neel
for me to distress Miss Rachel. in the hrst day'
Of her mourning for her mother. by an imme-
diate revelation OF the truth. In the iorincf
event, II remained silent, should DC oonh'-
ing Mt marriage which would make her mlser-
able for life. .......-.-
i My doubts ended in my calling at the hotel 10
London, at which knew Mrs. Ablewhite and
Miss Verinder to be staying. They informed
me that they were going to Brighton the next
dsy. and that an UNEXPECTED obstacle prevented
Mr.. Godfrey Ablcwhite from accompanying
them. NJ once proposed 10 take his place.
When was only thinking of Rachel Verindcr,
IL was possible to hesitate. When actually saw
her. my mind was made up directly, come what
might Of it, tell her the truth.
found my opportunity, when was out walk
ing with her, on the day after my arrival.
'May speak TO you,' I asked, about your
| marriage epgagementf' ..-
| .Yes.' she said. indiferently, If you have
nothing more interesting TO talk about
.Will YOU forgive an old friend and servant Of
/ your family. Miss Rachel. II venture on ask
inc whether your heart is set ON this marriagc,'
| lam marrying in despair, Mr.. BrufF-on
the chance of dropping into some sort of stag
nant happiness which may reconcile me to my
life
Strong, language and suggestive Of some
thing below the surface, in the shape Of ro-
nance. But had my own object In view, and
I declined las we LAWYERS saw TO pursue the
QUESTION into its side issues.
4 MIR, Godfrey Ablewbite can hardly be of
your way Of thinking, said. Hi. hear. must
be set ON the MARRIAGE. NJ any rateY'
.IIe saws 20. and supposcI ought to believe
him. He would hardly marry me, after what
have owned to him, unless he was fond Of me.
j Poor thing the bare idea Of man marrying
her for his own selfish and mercenary ends had
never entered her head. The task I had set
myself began to look like harder task than
had barcained for.
1T sounds strangely went on, sin my old.
fashioned cars
'what sounds strangely ? she asked.
TO hear YOU speak of your future husband MS
IL you were not sure Of the sincerity Of his at
tachment. Are you conscious Of any reason In
your own mind for doubling him.
Her astonishing quickncss Of perception de-
tectcd a change in my voice, or my manner,
when put that question, which warncd her
that had been speaking all along with some
ulterior object in view. She stopped, and, TAX
ing her arm out Of mine, looked me searchingly
| in the face.
'Mr. Bruff,' she said, you have something "a
| fell me about Godfrey Abewbite. Tell it,
| knew her well enough TO take her at her
word. I told IL.
She put her arm again into mine. and walked
on with me slowly. felt her hand Tightening
its grasp mechanically on my arm, and saw
her getting paler and palcr as l went on-but;
not n worl passed her lips while was speaking
When ] had done, she still kept silence. Her
head droopcd little, and she walked by my
side, uncOncous OF my presence, unconscious OF
every thing about her lost-buriod might
almost say-in her own thoughts.
made no attempt TO disturb her. My ex-
pericnce Of her disposition warned me, on this,
rs on former occasions 10 give ner une'
The hrst instinct OF girisih generM' On oelns
told OF any thIng wnlch interests them' :" ass S
mutiuuue Vi quesaons' anu 'neh ~ i1n sa;,,a oa
anu rnN 1'e, WIN somo '".o Ill.
nssne, .nS ,.,.', ss,,, IanSo,r mn ~ hsr owr
,a;Ud ami N tb;nt !, over nv herself This nh.
Lint" ssIe JenenJcnco Il crc,t y;rtuc .in a
m,n In |. wpm,n n b,. thc serious dr,whael
~ ,oraI,, s.na ra,;n, hsr sor, ,hs ma 40 or he,
40, and 20 eIposing her IN % INSTRUMENTATION by
,Lo ,onoraI on;nio, 7 ,tno,,Iv su.noct mvsci
V sinn;na as ths roo, ~ ,Ss yorIJ ,h;nl in mi.
n.,,srNs9ccnt In thc c.sa of Rachel Vcr;nder
Tha al, dencnJ.ncs in Ssr ch.ractcr va. one oI
H. v;rtnss in INV estimat;on . nartIv mn doubt,
he,auss 7 SINCERELY n,lm;rci and liked her
nar,Iv because the view took of her connec.
e., ,;,h ths loo. or ~. Moons,ono xvas hased nm
mn Wv. "wn sn.c;aI tnowiaJNe oS hsr J;snos i,;ou
Rsa,v my v"a .nnsa raves Mich, looL i, tbp nate,
c,h. n;amond" "sho.L;o, as !, nrJo,ItoJIv
~s tna.' ,h., 49, ..aa ss..a,;.,., :. oa, -. :
',;,h M ho % mystery ;nr an nnJ;scoxcr.i tIsn"I
WV Wv ,,.s:i n...-.I,oi.., ar, ~. IA J,,o
was esue. .e''.sue ~ n. snas sIo a',u uO"e
|. - 4 - A.. Al L..
,snea 'n,t 80. ..,;" nau hos st" s s~P )" .ne Du
lnesS' Wl'hVu, a ,.',,, snu,o.s n s "P !" "er Wv"
n'inu' anu '"'n"""s "0''' "''"
We had walkei ON for nearly mile, l should
think, before Rachel roused herself. she SUD.
denly looked up at me with faint rejection OF
her smile OF happier times-the most irresistible
smilel had ever seen on woman's face.
Il owe much already to your Kindness SHE
said. 'And feel more deeply indebted to IL now
than ever. IL you hear any rumOrs Of nv mar.
riapc when YOU 20 back to London, contradict
them nj once ON my authority.'
.U,ye Won resolved 10 break your engage
mcnt p I asked.
Can Won doubt itr she rsturped. proudly
amer what you have told me =
INV dear Miss Rachel, YOU are very young
and Won NAV 6pd more dificulty in withdraw.
inc from your present position than YOU antici.
pate. Have you no one-I mean lady oi
course whom you could consultl'
NO one,' she answered.
1. = A.