Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1873-02-06
VOL. XVIII.

to be transferred. 1 will give you all the
time it will take to do it. Remember,
the catastrophe must be reached by that
time. Some one else will probably want
my ear"
only duty of confidante; you must aid
me by your counsel. Only a woman may
say how woman may be won"
You have my sympathies, Mr.. Tre
dear brothers friend. l know nothing
of her-next to nothing of you. can
neither counsel nor aid you"
THAT brother is familiar with every
page of my outward life-history. 1t was
in our family he spent his vacation, while
you and your father we're travelling in
Europe"
"Well, then, that will do about youl-
self. Now about herr"
The coor bell was rung; the waiter
annoup ced-well, my obliging brother
has already given enough of his name
''Mr. ]. B." My confessor withdrew.
The next morning, as 1 was bringing
the freshened flower-vases into the sitting.
room, he brought out my bag, saying,
Now about her."
l opened the piano, repeated his favor
ite, kept my seat and cultivated my roses
vigorously
"Miss -" he began, 81 would not
knowingly give pain to human crea-
ture. Yesterday, when your visitor found
me by your side, / observed frown on
his face. l detest obtrusiveness, bat if
there is anything in the relation in which
you stand to each other which will make
my attentions Objectionable to either OF
you, they shall cease this moment. You
are at perfect liberty to repeat to him
every word 1 have said to you"
81 thank you sincerely for your con-
siderateness, said 81 am under no
obligations of the kind to him or any
other gentleman"
He introduced his topic by saying: 81
am glad that shall have to say little
more of myself Oh, what a strange joy
it is to be able to speak unreservedly of
her, and of the long pent-up hopes and
fears of the past yearsl And now, if you
will assist me in interpreting her conduct
toward me-if you will inspire me with
even faint hope of success-if you will
advise me as you would brother how to
proceed-gratitude will be too weak a
word for my feeling toward you for the
remainder Of my life"
81 have not yet sufficient light on her
part of the affair to aid you by advice" ;"
| l answered. ''In these slowly develop
| ing love-affairs there is usually but one
great hindering cause. Do you know"
l said, laughing as much as dared, look
ing into his woe-begone face, ''that you
have not told me what has passed be-
tween you ?"
His moment or two of death silence
made me almost regret my last words.
''In the first of our acquaintance was
ever tortured by her indifference. My
! first attentions were quietly received,
never encouraged. Then came the still
more torturing fear-agony let me call
| it-lest she was pre-engaged. Thank
God! That burden was lifted from my
poor heart but only, it seemed, to make
| room for the very one OF all in the cata-
logue of causes by which lovers hope
| dies beyond the possibility of a resurrec-
ton. 1T is the rock-no, fear the placid
waters of friendship into which my
frieghted bark is now driftlng-which
may lie between it and the bright isle of
| love, the safe harbor he shuddered +,
"net the blissful possession"
| Reader, the roses were not growing
under my needle: my sympathies were at
last fully enlisted.
"You have well said," / answered
| Friendship is the mine notch in which
lover makes mo count in the game of
hearts. But steer bravely past these dark
CULTS of despair. Have you ever had re-
course to jealousy in your desperation?"
inquired.
81 scorn such base ally. Your broth
er can tell you l am here partly because l
would avoid increasing an affection in an
other which cannot return"
''Does she know of that?" I asked, not
at all prepared in my own mind to yield
| the potency of the ally in my sincere de-
| Giro To aid 1x,f of ,c
affection.
eyes; have no reason, however, for
| thinking that the fact has raised her esti-
mate of the article" he said, making a
poor attempt to smile.
felt ashamed of my suggestion, and
said quickly, "You correspond, of course;
how are her lettcrs?" Now was sure of
my safest clue in finding her out.
"It was through the medium of her
letters that first obtained my knowledge
of her mind, her temperament, her
| disposition, her admirable domestic vir-
tues; for they were written without re-
serve. They excited my highest admira-
ton; they stimulated my desire to know
more of her; but they contain no word of
love for me"
His want of boldness almost excited my
| contempt. My skill was baff1ed on every
side, and. not caring much to conceal my
impatience, said, "You have asked me
to admire you as would my brother. She
is cold and selfish; give her up"
"Give her up!' he said with measured
ard emphatic slowness- s-"give her up,
when have sought her beneath every
cline on which the sun shines-not for
months, but for years? Give her up,
when her presence gives me all have
ever known of happiness? Giver her upp'
and he leaned his head on the back of his
chair and closed his eyes.
| had imagined him gifted with won
| derful self-control, but when I looked up
from my work all color had faded from
his cheeks, the lips seemed ready to
yield the little blood left there by the
clinch of the white teeth upon them,
while every muscle of the face quivered
with spasmodic effort to control emotion
When the eyes were opened and fixed on
the ceiling, saw no trace in them OF
anger, revenge, or even ofwounded pride.
They were full of tears, ready to gush in
one last flood-tide of feeling over sub
dued, chastened, but breaking heart.
1t was very evident that nv treatment
was not adding much comfort to my
patient however salutary it might prove
in the end. I knew of his intention to
leave the next day; there was little time
left me to aid him, and I had come to re
gard the unknown woman's mysterious
nature or strategic warfare as pitted
against my superior penetration. That he
might be victorious she must be van
quished. She was, then, my antagonist
The deepening twilight was producing
chilliness. flooded the room with bril-
liant light, stirred the CRATE into glowing
warmth, and invited him to seat neal
the fire.
"You will not leave me, will you
This may bet wiU 6e-my last demand
on you as a confidante. How is the bou
quet progressing ?" he asked.
"See," said, holding my embroidery
up before me; "we must hurry. I havt
but one more tendril to add"
"1endrils are clinging things, like hope
are they not?" he said pensively.
But sentimentalizing was not the busi