The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-07-04
Precisely" she said, growing pale

"What will you do then? Foolish child,
who have you ever seen that you would
choose in preference to me? I am
older than you but that disparity is more
than balanced by the advantages. What
do you find in me to object to, my dear?"
"I object to nothing, sir, saving the in
tentions you say you have always had
toward me. 1t was not generous to load
me with benefits, and then to try to make
of them chains to force my inclinations."
He laughed again as at the pretty play
full humors of petted child.
"Don't be foolish, Syra no one wishes
to force your inclinations. 1t would indeed
be rather late in the day for me to begin,
since never in my life denied you any
thing, did I, SyraP"
Syra showed how much she had been in
dulged by her next words.
1t was because you felt too much above
me to do So" she said, with temper. "You
would not oppose your might to such weak
ness as mine. Even now you laugh at me
in your strength, and think that mean
nothing when say would not be your
wife if you were king"
His straight black brows contracted
slightly as the daring girl spoke but he
only laughed in his provoking way.
"Well, WE'LL" he said, "you must have
still another day to mediate upon the ad-
vantages of being mistress of Roxeter Hall.
can afford to wait for your answer, child,
because know what it must be in the end;
and l acknowledge that all these pretty,
naughty airs of yours amuse me vastly.
They will become Mrs. Lionel Masterton
quite as well as they do my little Syra."
She made a passionate gesture.
"Do you not understand, sir, that have
not for you such love as man desires in a
wife? ] never thought of marrying till you
asked me week ago the question you have
repeated with such pertinacity every day
since. l have been taught to look up to
you as parent. I tell you it is impossible
to change the nature of that regard"
81 take upon myself the possibility of
changing it tot the most proper wifely affec-
tion," he said, lightly. GAS my wife, you
shall forget that you were ever anything
else."
81 shall never be your wife, sir. Oh,
am very sure of that. love you and am
grateful to you for your kindness to an
otherwise friendless child, but every in
stinct of my nature revolts from becoming
your wife,"
His brow knit again.
"You are talking supreme nonsense,
Syra and, child as you are, you ought to
know it, he said, with more impatience
than he had yet displayed. "But come to
the drawing-room, will you not? Olivia is
there alone, and may think we neglect her."
he added, with sudden change of manner.
Silently SYRIA followed him, and, the draw
ing-room reached, sat there untalkative, in
spite of the efforts of the others to draw
her into conversation. But her air was
thoughtful and troubled-nothing more.
Syra never pouted, spoiled child though
she was.
"Olivia," said Lionel Masterton to his
sister, desisting at last from his efforts to
entertain Syra, 81 haven't answered Ches-
ter Vale yet. I've been waiting for you to
ascertain Mrs. Wharton's address. Have
you obtained itP"
"Oh, yes, and the situation will be just
the thing for her. She writes to inquire for
: such a position as the one at Chester s
would be-, and think you cannot do better
than write to him and her by the same
mail. Mrs. Wharton would be a treasure
in any mans house, and l am sure she will
like Chester. It's curious what an incor-
: rigible old bachelor he is"
syra lifted her eyes during this speech,
and once or twice was about to mention
that she had heard from Mrs. Wharton
since Olivia, but some thought restrained
! her; and as Lionel Masterton left the
/ room, saying he would go to the library
and attend to that matter at once, her
glance followed him to the door with an ex-
l preston of aroused and eager attention.
\ Mrs. Wharton was an old family friend
l of the Mastertons, now in impoverished
? circumstances, who had written to Miss
Olivia to inquire for a situation as house,
: keeper in some gentleman's family, where
she would be likely to receive the considera.
: tion due to her former circumstances, and
Q be treated more as an equal than servant
$ Miss Olivia did not know that Syra had re
< ceived letter since she had, in which Mrs
r Wharton announced the fact of her having
secured already such place as she wish.
n ed