Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-08-09

fast ready for my guardian. L do not
wish him to discover the difference in
our housekeeping.
Indade, Miss, and l will. But, sure
the master does not know how little
Mrs. Harvey did after 1 had been
here one month. Oh-saving your
presence-she was desaitful old Jeze-
bel p
Aimee rose early, and breakfast was
ready at the usual hour, and with pleas
ure she observed her guardian glance
over the table rs she listened to his
praises at their achievements.
What excellent coffee And really,
Aimee, these biscuits are superior to
Mrs. Harvey's."
Then, seeing him take up his paper,
tripped into the garden for her morning
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, confding the young orphan to his
friends care, in trust and hope turned
his face to the wall and then reslgnedly
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
eighteen.
How shall 1 bear to part with her?'
thought Herbert. How endure this
her presence no longer gladdens it @
Aimee returned with her flowers, but
she had suddenly checked the CHEEKY
little song she was singing, upon OBJ
serving 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. l
think you have forgotten it lately"
She took her flowers and laid them
gently on his lips.
"This is better than mortals kiss,
for the moon looked down upon them
all night while the fairies danced around
and then hid under their soft leaves,
leaving sweet kisses there for you"
Herbert Wentworth opened his arms
to clasp her, but Aimee had fled away.
Three happy but eventful months
glided by. The beautiful Aimee
Rochelle had rejected lovers innumer-
able.
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 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"
"What answer then shall I give 2" said
her guardian.
"Tell Frank Slater I decline his
Offer"
Pause well, my dear; it is most
eligible one. He is of good family,
bears an irreproachable name"
"Do you wish me to marry this
young man %
She looked at him, and as she waited
his reply, the color of her cheek faded
to an ashen whiteness.
eyes, for / think it most suitable,
and doubt not you will be happy"
"Happy! Do not mock me with that
word"
Aimee clasped her raised hands 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
recognized the sweet voice of Aimee,
nor in her wild, despairing attitude, her
childlike gentleness.
"What can it mean?" he cried and,
after some moments of wandering
thought, he slowly and refiectively fol.
lowed his ward to her own little sitting.
room.
She was not there; but on the table
was her open desk, and spread over il
were letters, as if hastily torn from theil
inclosures-his own letters, which she
had treasured. He looked again. There
was small likeness of himself. Aimee
must have painted that from memory.
n n L l.. ~ 1.