Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-02-15


Mrs. Harvey's.'
Then, seeing him take up his paper,
she tripped into the garden for her morn
ing flowers.
"Dear, happy child y cried Herbert
Wentworth, as, with sigh, he watched
her fitting, like butterfly, from tree to
tree.
1t only seemed the other day since he
had led her away little weeping girl
from the bedside of her dying father,
who, contiding the young orphan to his
friends care, in trust and hope, turned
his face to the wall and then resignedly
fell asleep.
Herbert Wentworth was at that time
man of twenty-eight. Now ten years
had passed, and more than one silver
thread mingled in his dark hair, and the
child had become lovely girl of eight
cen.
"How shall I bear to part with her p
thought Herbert. Glow endure this
darkencd home when the sunshine of
her presence no longer gladdens it %
Aimee returned with her flowers, but
she had suddenly checked the CHEEKY
little song she was singing, upon observing
the sad, grave smile with which her
guardian greeted her.
What is the matter, guardy? Do
you miss anything this morning ?" she
asked, glancing around the room, her
thoughts reverting to her new duties.
Yes, Aimee, my morning kiss.
think you have forgotten that lately"
She took her flowers and laid them
gently on his lips.
"This is better than mortal's kiss,
for the moon looked down upon them all
night, while the fairies danced around,
and then hid under their soft leaves,
leaving sweet, dewy kisses there for
you"
Herbert Wentworth opened his arms
to clasp her, but Aimee had fled away.
Three happy but uneventful months
glided by. The beautiful Aimee Rochelle
had rejected lovers innumerable.
At length one, more persevering than
his rivals, importuned Mr.. Wentworth
for the hand of his lovely ward.
The day he so dreaded had arrived
his cherished bud had expanded into a
flower, and other eyes beheld its beau
ties, and other hands would fain gather
it to transplant it in their own homes.
"This letter concerns you, my child, -
said Herbert to his ward. "It is from
young Frank, as he is called. He asks
my consent to address you, and my in
fuence in his favor. He is wealthy
but you, Aimee, will not be portionless.
The money your father has left has been
well invested, and when render up my
trust"
Mr.. Wentworth" she exclaimed,
"never let the subject of money be
named between you and me-"
"Then tell Frank Slater 1 decline his
offer p
Pause well, my dear it is a most
eligible one. He is of good family, bears
an irreproachable name
"Do !you wish me to marry this young
man?'
She looked up at him, and as she
waited his reply the color i'll her cheek
faded to an ashen whiteness.
Yes, for think it most suitable, and
doubt not you will be happy"
Happy! Do not mock me with
that word -
Aimee clasped her raised hand as she
spoke, then, casting upon him one re-
proachful glance, she hurriedly left the
room.
Herbert Wentworth started. In those
harsh, impetuous tones he hardly recog-
nized the sweet voice of Aimee, nor in
her wild, despairing attitude her child
like gentleness.
"What can it mean ?" he cried, and
after some moments of wondering thought
he slowly and refectively followed his
ward to her own little sitting-room.
She was not there but on the table
was her open desk, and spread over it
were letters, as if hastily torn from their
Enclosures. His Oum letters, which she
had treasured. He looked again. There
was small likness of himself. Aimee
must have painted that from memory.
"Oh, my God !" he exclaimed, "hast
Thou, then, such deep happiness in
store for me?"
A white figure was slowly pacing the
garden ill "the dark walk" as Aimee
named it, and which she said she hated
for its gloom. And now, with dropping
head and arms hanging istlessly down,
the poor girl sought its shade.
Aimee, my childw
"Did you call me, sir"
He raised the little, cold trembling
hands, and held them in his own.
els our old love and friendship
broken, that you speak to me with such
formality?" ?"
"H-if-I marry Frank-it will be
proper" she sobbed.
:" You shall not marry him! Icannot
part from you, my darling-my happi-
ness-the angel of my house !"
"Then you do not wish me to leave