American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-09-27

but, good IIeavens!" said Marston
Brent who, although usually the most
quiet and dignified of human beings, was
now fairly driven to veheinence, "when
do you mean to be certain of yourself?
Surely you have had time enough. Can
you not love me, Eleanor" he asked Il
little wistfully. IF that is tiff that is
the doubt that holds you back-say so,
and let me go. Anything Is better than
suspense like this"
But Eleanor was plainly not ready to
say that. She stood still for n motneiit,
then turned to him with sudden light of
resolve in her eyes. You are right" she
said. This must end l may be weak
and foolish, but have no right to make
you suffer for my weakness and my folly.
L pledge myself to tell you tomorrow
night whether or not can be your wife.
You will give me till then, will you not?
1t is the last delay l shall ask
81 wish you would understand that you
could not ask anything which | should
not be glad to grant," said he, a little
sadly. For heavens sake do not think
of me as your prosecutor. l can wait"
you hare waited" said she, grateful
ly-"waited too long already"
Later in the evening, Victor Glare was
leaving the drawing room as Miss Mel
bourne entered it. They came face to
face rather unexpectedly, and while the
gentleman fell back, the lady extended her
hand.
"Have you stayed away so long that you
have forgotten your friends, Major
| Clare?' she said with smile which was
I bright but rather tremulous, like CLEAN
of sunshine on ripping water. "You have
not even said good-evening to me, and yet
you have an air as if you had said good
night to the rest of the company"
$50 l have" answered Victor, smiling
/ ftrr, sl,,,ti Of
have not been able to speak to you; have
found no opportunity"
"You are really going to Egypts"
Eyes, l am going to Egypt. Why
should l stay? What has life to offer me
here save vegetation? There, at least,
can find action
"Oh, what a good thing it is to be
manr' she said. "How free you are !
how able to do what you please and go
where you please-to seek action and to
find it! Oh, Major Glare, you ought to
thank God night and day that He did not
make you woman"'
81 am glad, certainly, that am a man."
said Victor, honestly But you are the
last woman in the world from whom
should have expected to hear such rebel
| lious sentiments"
| Il am not rebellious," said Eleanor
more quietly. ''What is the good of it?
| All the rebellion in the world could not
| make me Il man; and | have no fancy to
| be an unseXed woman. But nobody was
e, err more weary of conventional routine,
| nobody ever longed more for freedom and
action than l do.''
| 1t was on the end of Victor's tongue to
say, Then come with me to Egypt" but
he caught himself in time. Was he mad
| to imagine that 1.-The beautiful Miss Mil
| bOurne"-a woman at whose feet the most
desirable matches of society" had been
laid--would end her brilliant career by
! marry ing soldier of fortune, and eXpa-
triating herself from her country and her
kindred? He gave a grim sort of smile
which Eleanor did not quite understand,
as he said: "Where is your lotos? 1t ought
to make you more content with the things
that be-"
II have it." Eleanor said with child
like simplicity. Mr.. Brent remember
ed and Brought it to me. l have not for
gotten my promise to share it with you"
Take il to the mountain tomorrow
night, them" said he quickly. Let us
eat it together there. l should like to link
y0u even with my farewell to the past"
And, since an interruption came just
then, they parted with this understand
| ing.
The next day Major Glare was standing
on the terrace of Claremont-a stately,
solidly-b built old house, bearing itself with
modern frippery, despite certain signifi-
cant signs of decay when his guests ar
| rived in formidable procession.
They had paused in square near the
heart of the garden-a green, shaded
spot, in the center of which an empty
basin bore witness to departed fountain,
though no pleasant murmur of water had
broken the stiffness for many u long day.
Round the margin of This still ran seat,
on which Eleanor sat down. Victor re-
manned standing before her. A lime tree
near by cast Il soft, tlickering shadow over
| them, and the tall hedges of evergreen
which enclosed the square made somber
but effective background.
You see that ruin and decay are all
that have to offer you here" Victor was
saving with cadence of bitterness in
his voice. But if you had courage enough
to end the life which you despise, to cut
loose from all the ties which bind you in
America, and go with me to Egypt, there
l might have a future and career for you
to share-there, at least, you would find
freedom and action and life-''
A flush came to Eleanor's cheek, and a
light cleaned suddenly in her eyes, if
the very wildness of this proposal lent it
fascination; but she shook her head,
smiling little sadly. "You are of my
world" she said; you ought to know
better than that l must do what is eX-
pected of me, and l am expected to marry
Marston Brent"
"Forget'the world and come with me-"
THAT is impossible. If had only my
self to care for, l would; but there are
others of whom l must think" She was
silent for moment, then looked up at
him piteously. They have sacrificed SO
much for me at hOme," she said, land
they are SO proud of me. They hope, de-
sire, count on this marriage; cannot dis
appoint them. Mr. Brent himself has
been most kind and patient, and he does
not expect very much. l am a coward,
perhaps, but what can dog"
Again he said, "You can come with
me-"
Again she answered, at is impossible
Do you not see that it is impossible?
Starting forth on new career, it would
be insane for you to burden yourself with
Il wife. As for me, | am no more fit to
marry poor man than to be housemaid.
Victor, it is hopeless. For Heavens sake,
let us talk of it no longerl The only thing
we can do is to forget that we have ever
talked of it at ALL"
that nothing on earth could be harder for
me"
mo, it will not be easy, but shall try
with all my strength to do it, God only
knows" putting her hand suddenly to
her face, show | shall live if | am not
able to do it."
"Are you going TO marry him."
"uave | not told you SO ~
He turned from her and took one short,
quick turn across the square.
When he came hack she rose IN meet