The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-06-26
TOO LATE.

OSc"F, 60 you Intend 10 marry Miss
Wakefield ?''
Oscar Dalton stared blankly at the
speaker, as if he did not comprehend this
abrupt inquiry.
do intend 70 marry Miss Wakefield ?''
he repeated slowly, as though it was some
thing that had never occurred to him before.
Yes; that was the question l asked"
was the impatient response. "IIaye you
any thoughts of marrying her?''
Il don't know, yet, that l shall ever marry
any one. What makes you ask ,"
Il should say that it is a something that
would be very naturally asked by any one
taking an interest in the welfare Of the lady
IN question, who Is the orphan daughter of
a valued friend. You have been paying her
marked attention for nearly two years she
never goes out with any one bat YOU YOU
seem to lay exclusive claim upon her time
and thoughts; and yet you don't know that
you will ever marry her :"
u shall marry her, if marry any one"
Then there is no engagement between
you p
'No, sir; should not consider It honor
able to do that, when it is SO uncertain as to
its fulfIlment-at least, as to the time. In
my eyes, an enga cement is almost as sacred
as marriage, and 50 many things might
happen in the interval, that ! have not
thought it prudent to make Or exact any
pledges"
You are very prudent young man."
was the sarcastic response ''thoug gh there is
question in my mind as to whether you are
netting as honorable as you imagine Did
it ever occur to you that you have been
making pledges all along. by your acts,
more solemn and binding than any your lips
could utter? IsupPoSe you have made your
self sure of Miss Wakefeld's love, so as to
be confident that she Will have you whenever
you say the word ?''
a complacent smile played around the lips
of the other.
''It would be hardly fair to give you my
opinion Of that. The fact is, would marry
tomorrow if it was not so deuced expensive.
My salary is very fair, but not sufficient, yet,
to enable me to live in the style that would
be expected of me. And then, am in no
hurry to give up my liberty. You know
the old saying:
The happiest life man ever led
Is always to court, and never to wed. "
Hes contemplate puppy" muttered
Mr.. Strong, as he looked after young Dalton's
retreating form bat he shan't break
sweet Miss Helen's heart, if l can help it -
The next day he sought private confer
ence with Miss Wakefield
my dear Miss Helen, your father was as
dear to me as any brother could be, and
would like to be to his daughter the friend
that he was to me. want to ask you few
plain, honest questions, for which l beg as
plain and honest answers"
Helen Wakefield lifted her soft brown eyes
to the old man S face with look of almost
filial confidence.
II know that you were papa's best and
dearest friend, and will answer any ques-
tions you may ask me as l would answer
him.
''Thank you, my dear child don't think
you viii ever regret the confidence you place
in me. Oscar Dalton has been paying you
particular attention for some time Las he
ever said that he loved yOu?'
The color came and went in the sweet
young face; it was evidently hard confess
sion to make, but she was too frank and
truthful for evasion or deceit.
mo, sir; not in words, though he asked
me if loved him.
''Did he ever ask you to marry him ?''
"No, sir but l am sure that he means
i'll am sure that he loves me ~
Mr.. Strong gazed compassionately on the
agitated face Of the speaker.
II think he does, as well as he is capable
ofloying but Oscar Dalton is incapable of
true, unseIfsh affection for any one, as his
conduct proves"
Here Mr.. Strong proceeded to relate the
substance of the conversation he had had
with young Dalton the day before, eonclud-
ing with these words:
"Now, my dear child, you must see how
unworthy this man is of a true woinan's
heart. Supposing he marries you, as he may
condescend to do, after waiting till it suits
his convenience. what guarantee have you