The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1874-11-27

in the first excess of her grief. she reveal
30 the contents. The poor girl tre!nbleC
and turned pale. and wa very nea
fainting. With quick perception, Mrs
Swift at once discovered that Mercy wa
the object OF Seth Barrys attachment
The knowledge almost stunned her.
Her first impulse was TO quietly SEND
Mercy from the house, but she retired tC
her e'iaIah =. and, after night of tears
her geag is triumphed and she wrote
Seth. avOI,iing either reproach or expos
tulation, simply telling him that she de
sired to see him once more. and request
ing him to make an early visit.
Seth felt very badly when he received
the summons, but it was impossible foI
him TO refuse a request that was couched
in such gentle terms. He accordingly
set out to visit the widow in no enviable
state of mind.
In the mean time Mrs. Swift, after de,
Iiberatelv considering the case, sent for
Mercy Cawse to attend her in a room
that had been fitted up as a boudoir.
Every little elegancy that could add to
comfort or luxury lad been placed in
the room, so that it presented one of the
most beautiful features in Mrs. Swift's
| house.
CordeIia was reclining in a white satin
chair ornameDted with rOSebuds. She
was dressed in a loose cashmere wrapper,
and looked very interesting.
Come in Mercy" she said, as Miss
Cawse tapped at the door, ''Sit down,
| l wish 70 talk a little with you. Mr.
| Barry will be here, ere long, and l wish
to converse with you before his arrival. +"
Mercy's face grew so pale that tie
widow would have been blind not to
have observed it; but she seated herself
near her benefactress and awaited her
| pleasure.
did you ever make a serious mis-
takel' inquired Mr.. Swift, arching her
eyebrows ever so little, as she tried to
smile.
Il don't know" replied Miss Cawse,
in an absent manner, as if she scarcely
knew what she was saying. After a
pause she continued: Il begin to think
that my life has been a mistake all the
way to this present moment. When l
should be happiest, am the most un-
happy"
"You unhappy" responded Mrs.
Swift, gazing fixedly in Mercy's face.
How is that9 thought you had rta-
son to be very joyous. Don't trifie with
me, Mercy. What do you mean? Tell
me-"
Il have nothing to communicate, re-
piled Miss Cawse: THAT is, mean, l
can give you no satisfactory reason for
the gloom that fills my mind"
The widow smiled.
perhaps can assist you" she said.
'sAir. Barry loves you, and you return
his passion. He is engaged to me: you
know it. of course, and remorse fills your
heart. He, suppose, has declared his
feelings to you. Perhaps you have re-
ciprocated, and"
"Oh! indeed, no." cried Mercy, fling
ing herself on her knees beside the wild
ow and burying her face in her lap, while
she began TO weep.
Mrs. Swift gently raised her up and
seated her i'll a chair.
.0h, do not deem me base enough to
steal away the affections due solely to
yourself. Indeed, indeed, have not en-
couraged Mr.. Barry. On the contrary,
nave refused to listen to his PROPOSE
tions."
Hush" replied the widow. Listen
to me, and don't distress yourself unnec-
rect questions, but let me assure you that
nothing on earth would induce me to
unite my fortunes with Seth Barry. Nor
shall grieve to lose his love. [ have
n good deal of philosophy in my cOmpo-
sition, and will not kill myself for any
man. Tell me candidiy, Mercy, do you
love Seth Barryl"
To one whom owe so much, can
I l., T., H-,f II
marry him"
''Yes, YOU will, " returned Mrs. Swift,
ssbecause.I ! think you will be happier, for
that man loves you, and he never loved
me. l know, poor girl, that you did not
seek his attentions, and you are not re-
sponsible for your feelings. Now, Mer-
CIV. wish you to marry Mr.. Barry, and
it will be great disappointment to me
if you do not do so. There goes the bell,
now leave me, for lie is coming" and
she took the half stupefied girl by the
hand, and kissing her cheek, pushed her
out OF the door.
Seth Barry found Cordelia awaiting
his tapsat the door.
Come in" she answered, as soon as
she heard the sound. She pointed to a
chair.
'sSit down, Seth.n she said in a calm
voice. Barry looked at her with sur
prise, he had expected stormy scene.
II have sent for you" began the wild
ow. ito reproach you"
'.And 1 merit your reproaches," inter
rupted Seth. ''Yes, your most bitter re-
proaches."
:'Yes, you do" returned Cordelia,
mot for bestowing your affections else
where, that was an involuntary fault but
for concealing from me their object, and
by so doing deprived lie the happiness
of contributing to your felicity. Now.
since | can not constitute it myself, 1t
shall be my work to bestow it. Receive,
then, from me the hand of her you love,
and fortune such as my sister ought to
possess.
| shall not attempt TO describe the
scene that followed, and the gratitude
of the lovers, whose rapture was chast-
ened by a sense of the sacrifice their ben
efactress had made. In vain would they
have restrained their generosity, and
accepted only a small part destined for
them. The feelings of Seth, perhaps
his pride, revolted at the idea of owing
his support to a woman whose heart he
had so cruelty wounded. He employed
a small part of the gift to secure mer-
chantile situation, and would have re-
turned the rest, but Cordelia positively
refused to receive it, and insisted on his
keeping it as a deposit for his children.
A few years afterwards finding that
Cordelia was about to be married, Seth
made another attempt TO induce her to
receive the money, but was equally un-
successful
My friend" she said, 1.-THE money in
question is no longer either yours nor
mine. it is the property of your little
daughter. whom you have called by my
name. Remember she is my grandehild,
and by my agreeing to your proposition,
l should rob the little creature love so
well. No, no, Seth, ask Inc something
less difficult"
But YOUR future husband-pardon
ME. dear. generous friend, but what
will he think when he knows you have
expended so large a sum in this wayl'
Cordelia laughed. Don't trouble your
self she said - have already told him,
and the only effect it had was to increase
his affections for me.
Cordelia was right; she is a happy
wife. and enjoys the satisfaction of see
ing in the domestic felicity of Seth and
Mercy. that her favor was well bestow-
ed.
CREMATIoN.-The body of Lady Dixie,
wife of Sir Charles, was cremated at
Dresden on the 10th inst. The lady died
| in London. but her remains were con-
Z e. hn s1f