Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-12-05

events OF the evening, 10 admlt OF
much conversation, so the girls
went to bed very quietly.
The next morning when the ad-
ventures OF the evening were rela-
ted at the breakfast table, Mr.. Dey
and George exclaimed:
81 always told you something
would happen. And now there's an
end to this folly"
"But there is not an end" said
Susie, quietly. And SO the sequel
proved.
1t already seemed convenient for
George to make what engagements
he pleased without the fear of being
called upon to go somewhere lie did
not wish to, and Susie now cast
prejudice to the winds, and darned
seditious thoughts into the toes Of
stockings, and laid great plans in
elbow patches, which if known
might have scratched and pricked
more seriously than ever forgotten
pin had done. Marcia's life was
full of content, and she was SO play
ful with George and SO social with
Mr.. Thornton that Edith languidly
began to think that Marcia really
liked men.
A few wccks~aftcr Marcia's mis-
adventure, rs she and Susie were
going to lecture, they met Mr..
Thornton coming in. His pleasant
face was clouded, and he bowed alb
stractediy to them as he inquired
for Edith. Marcia's mind wander
ed little from the subject Of the
lecture, and she would hardly have
appreciated the elaborate explana-
tons of the speaker if She had
known what was going ON in the
parlor at home.
Edith had greeted her old lover
in her graceful manner, and then,
dropping into an easy chair, had
prepared herself for the usual admi-
ration. But Mr.. Thornton seemed
to be thinking of something else,
and talked in an abstracted, dis
jointcd style, and at last broke into
the subject on his mind. A great
blow had come in his business; he
had been in trouble for some time,
and now all was over-he was
ruined. OF course it would be
some years before they could mar
ry, and then he might be poor
man. He ran through the matter
hastily, evidently too much dis
turbed to dwell upon it, and anxious
to let her know the exact extent of
the disaster. Edith had lost her
plant grace as the tale went OH, and
before it was finished seemed to be
busy with some plan. Mr.. Thorn
ton leaned over and took the beau
tiful hand that wore his costly gift,
and as he completed his recital,
looked in her face for some token of
love. She calmly lifted her white
lids and said: n.
"Why pay your debts? Keep
your money and be comfortable.
That's the way many men do"
He started and dropped her hand,
but catching both, leaped toward
her and said:
"You are not in earnest?'
eyes, for my sake. OF course l
can't marry poor man."
"You know l never shonld think
of such a thing!" he replied, spring
ing up and pacing the room. "But,
Edith, a few years would not be
long to wait, and | would have such
a prize to work fort" and he bent
tenderly over her, dropping kiss
into her golden hair.
"It would be great while to
wait, and what of me meantime?"
And the tears of vexation sprang
into Edith's eyes, but were dried,
for crying made her face red. 'I'm
twenty-five now. You must save
your money"
"Don't talk sop cried Mr.. Thorn
ton, moving restlessly about; sit
makes me feel as if YOU did not love
me-"
81 don't know that l do" replied
Edith's soft voice, while she slipped
the diamond ring up and down upon
her finger.
He stopped as if stunned, and
stood like statue, until Marcia's
clear voice said:
81 wonder if Mr.. Thornton has
gone. l hope he's in no trouble" :"
and steps were heard on the stairs.
81 cannot see them," he said.
"Good night" catching Edith in
his arms. -"You don't know what
you've said. I'll see you tomorrow
evening"" and he passed the ladies
in the doorway, bowling hastily as
he went out.
The next evening the engage
ment was broken, and Mr.. Thorn
ton was no longer a frequent visit
or. The family were astonished at
the event, and Marcia indignant
when she discovered the cause; but
Edith had not a nature to be moved
by surprise or Indignation in others,
and pursued her way, certain that
she had acted for the best. Robert
Thornton, however, had not forgot
ten Marcia's hopeful tone, and when
he met her one Sunday ut church,
and she urged his calling, adding:
"Susic and arc quite alone now;
mother and Edith are away" He
came. tt
He was slowly working upward
in the face of much discouragement
and Marcia's cordial sympathy and
quick womanly intuition were a
real help to him. He soon was in
the habit of dropping in to ask her
advice, or if things went wrong, to
hear her hearty "I'm sorry! and
to feel the grasp Of her strong hand.
He even became inclined to hold
the latter little longer than was
necessary, and to linger on the bal
cony in the summer twilight talk
ing OF other things than business,
while Susie read by the low lamp
in the library. She was becoming
as much absorbed in her occupation
as the couple in the moonlight,
though bones and muscles, bella
dona and scarlet fever, were rather
different topics from those chosen