The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-02-27
miss Warren.
ICono uded.I

"And TOu Will leave me- May, and marry
that old man
Heaven pity me, Mark, for l must. /
will become his wife, and will be true and
faithful to him, for he will be kind to me.
lou will hear of me thus, and when you do,
remember my words, Marx, that you have
my heart
81 will remember May. God help US both
for l never shall forget you. They shall
bury me with this upon my heart And he
drew ttess of soft brown hair from MS
bosom.
For "a moment more-one little precious
moment-he held her against his heart and
then kissed her, put her gently from him,
and was gone.
For A moment she stood alone under tn
trees, with clasped hands and face uprsised
to the quiet sky, and then she turned and
walked silently toward the house. 4 hight
from the library window stresmed Gown on
Der, and as she looked up, she cav the
shadow of bowed figure fall across The cur
tain.
Father, you are saved y she murmured.
A hand was laid suddenly on her armand
she stared with low cry.
"Good evening, Miss May said Col.
Leighton. 81 have been seeking YOU"
SIZE bowed, and stood silently before him
with's calm, downcast face.
al have been talking with your father" he
continued, carelessly pulling a. rose from a
bush near him. "He tells me that you have
promised to think of my proposal, and let
US know what your decision Is tomorrow
Is there anything | can say which will in
huenoe you to form that conclusion in my
fsvor?N
"You cannot say anything which will in
fuenee me in the least, Col. Leighton. As
my father has said, you shall have my on
swer to morrow
He glanced at the young face, so sad IN
its calm dignity, and looked down at his
fingers again, which were bruised IN tearing
TO pieces the blossom he held, and allowing
the crimson petals to fell at hls feat, o. ii
they were fragments OF the heart he wss
breaking. In the long silence that followed
she glanced up at him once with the thought
Of d,nging herself upon bis merch By giving
him her confidence but the stern express
ion Of his face repealed her.
Miss May" he said Suddenly, you are
averss to this marriage
His tone aided in rendering his words ST
assertion. She was started, but replied
quietly, ADO you think so ?"
Il must be blind if | could think other.
wise ne continued, with sudden energy.
Nay Warren, you know that you hate me
that you would die rather than to become
my wife, were it no, for your fathers sske."
Before she realized what she was doing,
the monosylable Eyes" slipped from her
lips.
And in doing this, do you realize how
you would wrong US both p
She was silent.
1T shall never be. will never call you
my wife, knowing that You do not love me
that your heart IS not il my keeping, l will
not tell you OF my hopes, how have dream
ed that my last days would be my hsppiess
ones II would not interest you. Now !
have only to say that you are as free as if
hsd never seen your sweet face
he paused for reply but she made none
Bswildered by her position she did not
know wha; 10 say.
Il know that have myself to reproach, -
hs went on. my motive in Offering your
father assistance was purely g selfish one
The consequences are only what | deserve
had 10 though of the long years during
which he had been my true and faithful
friend, but cruelty took the advantage OF his
position TO gain my own ends. Yes, am
properly punished
There was bitterness in his tone, des
poudency IN his attitude, that greatly
changed his accustomed, dignihed compos
ure OF manner. Half unconscious of what
abe did, only sensible Of the pity she felt fol
him, the young girl put her hand upon his
arm, and said softly, Forgive me-"
Forgive me, rather, my child he said
gently, taking the little hand in one of his
"to- the misery Ihsve caused you. / should
have known that our paths in life could
never be one. But good night, / will not
detAiu you
STE did not shrink from him ns he BEN
down and kissed her forehead with his las
words. He stepped aside 10 sllow her fret
passage to the house, but she did not move.
"You are thinking of your father he salt
"Do not be distressed on mis- account Re
member me in your prsyers tonight, ent
sleep sweetly. II is all ] ask
He did not wait to hear her fervent. 500
bless you 7" or witness her burst Of joyfu
tsars, but quickly left her.
TIE morning sunshine streamed bOldl
into the apartment of old Mr.. Warren, wher
ne lay in the heavy sleep of physical AM
mental exhaustion. The forenoon was ia
ing him that Col. Leighton waited in tn
library. Making q hasty toilet, the old ma
left his chamber and went 20 Join his friend
The gentlemen met cordially, and Oolone
Leighton Immediately requested that Ma
might be sent for. They waited but q fey
minutes before the door swung noiselessl
open, and, wearing a white morning robe
the young girl entered. at q motion froI
Tstb ID To- -
feet, and then glanced up with cCnfdn
emile at Col. Leighton, who stood leanin
against the mAutlepiace, with an expressio
Of face halfsad half sdmiring.
1--WE are waiting for your answer, Nav,
said Mr.. Warren quietly.
81 will leave the matter entirely in Co
Leighton g hands, she replied.
The old man glanced perpexedly fror
her TO his old friend Col. Leighton steppe
orward.
"My old friend, James Warren" he SAT-
81 met your daughter last night, and tslke
with her. | discovered with what feeling
she regarded a marriage with me. and ca
not allow the sacrifice she would make f,
your sake will never marry her, she
free. And now l have to ask your pardo
for the unmanly way in which ! have take
advantage of your EN- barrassment, and hav
come so near TO destroying the happiness
your child. Every power Of mine shall
exerted to it's utmost to relieve you, and o
the reward ! ask is, the knowledge that yo
aud May do not despise me. Nay, nay. 4
thanks. ! deserve rather 20 be seorned 4
the part ] have acted. But have one fave
to ask, old friend. viii you allow me
choose a husband for your daughter?"
"Go GU have my full and free permission
replied Mr.. Warren, smiling through h
tears.
"But hope you will be more succsssf
in your choice than | have been"
"Never fear" said the colonel, with
glance at May. FlinFing open door thu
led TO another apartment he called, "No
my boy ~ and Mark Winchester sprsng in