The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-20

aay an9 see now you are getting on II
you will allow me"
'Tcan only thank you again and again
for your kindness in taking so much
trouble about me; you may fully be-
lieye in my gratitude.n
She held ont her hand rs she spoke,
and DR.. Charlton took IL in his as
reyerentially as IL It had been the hand
ofan angel.
He had no more patients 10 sec that
day, and was able TO give himself up TO
happy dreams. He kuew that he was
in love he had at last met the being
whose image had been with him
through so many years Of his life; aud
far from being disappointed, the reality
had surpassed his Imagination. Her
sweet voice, her lovely face, her courte.
Gus manners, her air Of refinement and
high breeding, all charmed both heart
and mind. He wondered whether the
time would come when he could ask
her to share his home, when he could
raise her to the position for which she
was so well fitted. He started OF last
from this dream, and smiled TO think
how much more like q romantic boy his
thoughts had been than like the grave
DR.. Charlton.
AS soon as he reasonably could, he
paid Rhoda Dunmore another visit,
which was followed by many others.
He was more and more charmed with
her every time he saw her. He had
found out, just lately, that she got her
living by teaching, and knowing well
how utterly unfit she was for such work,
he resolved to speak to her OF once, and
nsk her TO be his wife.
With this purpose in his mind, he
went TO her one day, about six months
after his first visit, and after his usual
questions about her health, for he OIL
ways made that the ostensible reason OF
his visits, and q few conventional re-
marks, he said, rather suddenly:
"Miss Dunmore, I wish to tell you o
story"
Rhoda smiled and bowed, and he re.
sumod:
"a young man was once standing
upon the platform OF railway station
Just ps train was leaving II. As IL
passed him, he saw in one OF the car.
ringes the face Of young girl. II was
'only face OF the window but It
haunted him through his life, through
his studies, through the beginning Of
his career, through his prosperity. al.
ter many years, chance, as IL is com.
monty called, threw him into the way
OF this young girl, then grown into o
woman and he found her mind and
heart as lovely TO him as her face had
been and still was. He took many op.
portunities Of seeing her, and found
that the more.he saw her, the more he
loved her." He paused an instant
81 was that young man, and yours was
tho face Of which / caught that glimpse.
Rhoda, with the whole force Of my soul
love you be my wife, make my home
a heaven to me-"
He seized her hand as he finished
speaking, and pressed it TO his lips.
Rhoda, who had listened oil through
with face on which pain and pleasure
had been contending expressions, gent
" withdrew her hand, as soon as his
grasp Of it was little loosened and,
signing, said sadly:
"You have told me your story; lot
me tell you mine"
After aninstant'ssilence she resumed,
in a low voice:
81 was the only child OF very rich
parents. Their name was Graham.
They idolized me, and let me have my
swn way in everything. I grew up
amid every possible luxury and COM
fort. Everybody called me very beau.
tiful; everybody called me very clever;
everybody knew that I should be very
rich. Is 1T TO be wondered at that my
head was turned, that / expected when
/ entered society to have every one at
my feet2 I was not disappointed. At
seventeen I came out in London, and
was pronounced by everybody the belle
Of the season. Among my admirers
there was one for whom 1seon began
TO entertain stronger feeling than
friendship. He proiessed to be very
much in love with me / was madly in
love with him. My father did not like
tho idea Of my marrying this young
man, for the Hon. Arthur Bracebridge's
name had been heard in conjunction
with some not very reputable proceed
ings."
"Arthur Bracebridge !" broke in DR..
Charlton; "he must have been the
son Of whom Lord Bracebridge SO often
annke dnrinp his last Illness" .
"No doubt; he had been great
trouble to his parents. II had asked
my father earnestly to let me marry
this young man, he would have con.
sented OF last, for lie always gave in to
me but ! was willful and headstrong
and as he had once refused I did not
care TO asked him again, but yielded TO
Arthur's entreaties, and ran away with
him."
"Most likely; we went by the
aThSt was the station. This then
accounted fol, the hali.frightened look
your face wore that day." :.
eyes; I was half frightened and
half ashamed OF what was doing, but
IL was too late then 10 give up. We
went O few miles out Of town, and were
married next morning. Do not blame
me too much I acted very badly, but
I was very young. and 1 have been
punished enough"
"I Iblame you, Rhodap Mylife must
have been q much more perfect one
than II has been, TO give me the right
Of Judging others.
my conduct broke my fathers
heart,h continued Rhoda, her voice
ouiyering che never forgaye me, but
Hal soor aftnr without seeing mo. and