The herald. (Smyrna, Del.) 1870-1871, 1870-08-27

called for show Off affection, "give me
flower. A rose, say; like roses best"
Alice troke some rose-sprays hastily,
and presented them to him.
"You will not forget my friend7"
he said, patronizingly.
She paused by a camellia, which was
crowned with rich, white blosssms, and
plucking one just opened, she timidly
placed it in my hand.
1 understood her. She saw my love
for her, and pitied me. could not look
up when thanked her. Obi could she
but know what knew-that the love /
would give all possessed to win was
held SO cheap by Tom.
"I am almost afraid I have offended |
Papa Milford" said Tom, after we left.
'The old idiot has gone to dabbling in
shares, and its plain to be seen that he
isn't up to it. 1t won't take very long
for him to lose all he has. But I'll say |
no more on the subject. Are you going |
there sgain ON Tuesday night"
"They asked me, but 1 have not yet |
| decided"
"Go by all MEANS" he answered care |
lessly. "They seem to like you; and |
old Milford dosn't take to every one."
Tuesday evening found me at Mr.. |
Milford's. had determined not to go;
but / could not stay away. 1t was not
party,-merely a friendly gathering,
with music, dancing, and cheerful talk.
1t was exquisite pleasure to be near
Alice, although knew that she was lost
to me, and that must crush out the
love felt for her.
"Come and see us often," said Mr..
Milford, as WIGS leaving; "come at any
and all times"
But hesitated. I had noticed that
Alice had Stunned me all the evening,
nor did she now join in this invitation.
stammered something, and left re-
solving never to enter the house again.
Tom was my friend; at least, 1 owed my
introduction to him; and would not be
traitor to him, even if could. Never
) to see Alice again was the honorable
| course.
Three days after, met Tom in the
street.
> "Well, old Milford has done it at
last2" said, stopping me. "Lost every
shilling, just as knew he would That
sudden panic yesterday did it."'
J Sand Alice7'' cried, breathlessiy-
. sob, Alice has just written me note,
r asking to be released from the engage
b ment on account of her fathers failur @.
q Which did of course" he continued,
/ with laugh.
r "The heartless scouudrel?" L NUT
tered, between my teeth, as I turned on
I, my heel and abruptly left him.
An hour afterwards, was at Mr.. Mil
ford's. The old gentleman clasped my
} hand. eagerly.
. "My dear boy, do you know" he
= began.
/. az know ALL" cried, interrupting
him; sand ccme to see if 1 could help
: you"
Q "No, 1 have something left; and even
if 1 had not, I am not so very old but
:. could work for Alice.'
, "And Alice-Miss Milford-how does
Q she bear it?' stammered.
r "Like heroine. But she has had
: more than this to boar"
: Unknown it. The villainl May II
= wonder would it be asking too much,"
, stammered out desperately. "If
q might see herr"
g "Of course, my dear boy" he said,
r but with some surprise. "She is in the
conservatory
I flew to her side. She was sitting,
| I;atIoostxt fba f3nOara of Rpa u nd
in the water of the fountain, while she
= leaned her head pensively on the other.
: At the sound of footsteps she looked up,
@ and rose in confusion, crimsoning all
= over face and neck.
D "Alice, darling" 1 cried excitedly,
"you are free now, and can speak. I
q do not dare to hope. But love you'll
1 Oh, give me but chance to show that I,
at least, am honest and true. Ever since
1 used to see you gardening-ever since
D 1 heard you sing last spring, have lov-
: ed you"
She had sunk, breathless, into her scat
> again. Her bosom was heaving convul-
, sively. Her face one moment was
a pale and then dyed with bushes. All
1 at once great hope leaped ia my heart,
g and L stopped in my passionate, almost
incoherent address.
r Scan it be2" 1 said, Selling her hand
/ and speaking in whisper. "oh, Alice,
do not play with me. Is it possible you
may learn to love mef"
She returned the pr of my hand
ever so family, and murmured, as her
q head fell on my arm, "I'm afraid have
learned it already"
And then heard, in broken senten-
: ces, in answer to my eager questions,
/ that she had long loved me; but that
| when she had found out the truth she
r was engaged to another, and honor kept
: her silent, as it had kept me.