Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-02-13
MLERsBURG, HOLMES COUNTY o. THURSDAY, FEB 13, 1873

did Olive guess at it? What would Oh
i've thiuk-what counsel her if she
knew? l.1-
Only the next time that Mr.. Eben
Wolcott came out she quietly dismissed
him, and then made up her mind that
she must go home. If she could only
fly to the ends of the earth,
But Fanny did not go, for Olive would
not hear of it. a slight cold confined
Olive to her room, but one evening she
sent Fanny out and babe her peremp-
torily to take Harry and go for walk.
Then she summoned her husband to
give him his orders, but when he came
down stairs Fanny was gone, and
Mathew, with wicked little smile was
taking down his hat.
That's right Donn," said Harry,
breaking into laugh; "she ought to
know better than to go alone. By the
way, 1 happen to know that she has dis
missed old alderman"
Dom smiled again and went out,
closing the door behind him. There
was bright moon, displaying flower,
leaf and bud. Supposing that Fanny
would only make the round of the place,
he ran swiftly down to the back gate,
and met her just as she had reached the
great elm that stood guarding the line.
She started at sight of him.
"You will allow me to walk with
you?" he said. ''There is squad of
gypsies in the neighborhood, and some
one might molest yOu."
Fanny could not say no; could not
talk, even, for with ready tact he took
all the conversation upon himself. What
did he not touch upon? Opera, arts,
nature, city, country--all derived new
beauty from the glamour of his tongue,
was it strange that Fanny and found
herself leaning on his arm and listen
ing with rapt attention to the eloquence
of his speech? From that time there
a certain tacit understanding between
them, and all went smoothly till the
morning he kissed her. For that Fanny |
was angry at herself that she was not |
angrier with him. All day long she
was full of moods, changing from
grave to gay, from fits of reflection to
the widest merriment.
Fanny" said Harry, coming up to
his wife's room after tea, 'Mr. Donn
wishes to speak with you down stairs"
All the lovely color faded out of her
face at this announcement. She longed |
to assert herself; but might they not
read the truth in her eyes if she re-
fused? ,... ...
Slowly she Went down stairs.
Dom was in the parlor walking back
and forth. He came to meet her with
outstretched hand.
al want you to forgive my rudeness
of this morning." he said. "In my
assumed character had no right to
take such liberty, or, indeed, in my
own"
Your assumed character," she ex-
claimed trembling, as she seated her.
self.
eyes. My friend Harry met me
year agoA when we were both travel
ing. 1 was good deal run down in
health, and the doctor said that were
1 a laboring man 1 might covereome
the disease that was wasting me. So l
CONT acted with Harry to work for him,
like any common farmer and he was to
keep my real name and position Sc
cret."
He saw the change in her beautiful
eyes.
My real name is Dom Mathews"
he added, smiling, sand there is no need
of my working for living; but L real
ly think l shall go in partnership with
my friend Harry, and turn farmer. But
you have not told ME whether you for
give me-"
IL uOu u huOW, IcIOilCu Il amy
half laughing, half crying.
Fanny, Fanny! if You knew how L
love you," he cried, suddenly stopping
in front of her, Il do think you would
ell am so, so glad!"
1t was not polite, perhaps, this con-
fession, but it was very natural.
"And L think can match your al
derman's house," he added, taking her
hands in his, "dear, dear Fanny
"And his horses?" laughed Fanny,
looking up with beaming eyes.
sYes, dearest,a and perhaps-himself;"
and the ringing laugh, united, sounded
the house. OF course Harry
who had an inkling-and Olive came
down stairs, and of course everybody
was very..happy over it.
Harry" said Dom, after moment,
81 think am quite cured.'