The Placer herald., 1874-05-02

MS hand--news was seldom fresher than
that in Bakersdale-The door opened and
Mr.. Weldon came out with seme-
what disturbed countenance. Squire Harvey
as he turned, looked up inquiringly.
You haint any darters. Squire ?" ques-
iioned Weldon, wiping his forehead with a
checked pocket handkerchief, and drawing
a deep inspiration, which was neither groan
nor sigh, but partook of the nature of BOTH
"No."
"Well, you're lucky man-that's all
I've got to say"
"Why SOP
"Why, here's my Emily has just said an
up and down No to Zeb Hawley old Dea-
con Hawley's son, up to Hawleyville-th
most forehanded people in the county! Won
der if she spects to marry the Prince O
Wales I? Such farm as Zeb. owns-and
there amt better young fellow in the
State!'
'That is very imprudent of Emily; pray,
what reason does she allege?"
"Oh, she don't like him she says"
"Shall reason with her a little on the
subject ?"
81 wish you would, Squire" said Wei
don, bringing his closed fist down on his
knee. "She's got a respect for you, !
know, and maybe you might get her to
listen to common sense"
Squire Harvey went into the house, where
Emily was sitting singing at her sewing.
She moved forward the easy-char for him,
and welcomed him with smile.
"My dear Emily" said the Squire ca
ressingly-for the little girl had somehow
stolen into very warm corner of his heart,
try as hard as he would to keep her out
do you know you've just done very
silly thing?'
Emily blushcd like an azea blossom
she knew in an instant what he meant.
Our little Emily was not like our city bellies
who are such adopts at conscious uncon-
sciousness.
'Now listen to me, said he, author-
lively. 81 know all about your love af-
fairs, child. Don't look astonished; have
more sources Of information than you are at
all aware of; and l know of your girsh
fancy for Robert Manners. No blushipg-
it really isn't worth while. presume you
may once have thought you loved him!"
"Once!' interrupted Emily, her cheeks
elowlng III goou earnest.
"Hush, hush, my dear--these things are
all past and gone. Bob Manners is my par
ticuar friend, and am pretty well losted
up as to his affairs. You thought he was
wealthy. So he was; but times have
changed. He's ruined man, my dear
penniless, beggared DO you know what
that means ? And don't you think it would
be very foolish for girl who could marry
rich young farmer like Zebulon Hawley, to
waste her affections Oh poor man?"
Emily had kept growing white and red
by turns as the old man proceeded, until,
at length, as he paused, she broke forth, in
accents Of sobbing energy:
81 have but one reply to make, sir-even
to you, who seem 80 strangely aware Of
what had supposed to be secret between
Robert and myself love him with my
whole heart and soul, and were he a beg
gar, or poorer than beggar, should still
love him just the sane!'
The calm, cruel old man eyed her quiv-
ering lip and flushed forehead with emotion
less gaze.
"All this is very pretty, my dear; very
much like the love scenes l have seen en-
acted upon the stage. But you have not
heard all Suppose your love was unre-
turned-is there no difference between
passing fancy and deep, earnest affection,
such as Zebulon Hawley feels for you p
81 do not understand you'll! said Emily,
wildly,
"My dear, Robert Manners has ceased
to care for you-think of him no more!
cit is not true-I will not believe it'll"
said Emily, her eyes flashing Indignantly.
The old man coolly extended the letter his
son tad written to him, so that the para
graph describing his passionate attachment
to some young girl, whose name was not
mentioned, was alone visible.
81 received that letter from him lately;
you see be is already comforting himself for
your absence"
Emily grew pale, and deadly feeling
crept over her heart-the letter fell from her
numb fingers. The old man picked it up,
and coolly pocketed it.
"Now what do you think ?"
81 will never believe him false-no, not
even in the face Of such proof as that; and
even were it so'--she paused and clasped
both hands over her aching heart-"my
love cannot change like a Summer wind.
! shall love him to the grave, and perchance
beyond its gloomy limits!'
She rose and hurried from the room, sob
bng as she went. He might break her
heart, but be could not move the love which
was anchored in its deepest recesses.
Colonel Manners sat silent for moment
then muttered between bis teeth.
"By Jove, she is q splendid girl. Bob
was right; and have been brute to tor
ture her thus. There is nothing like con-
vincing ones self. however! And now then
to write 10 Bobp'
Nobody knew why Emily Weldon grew
pale and silent day by day, save herself and
Colonel Manners; but to all eyes it was
pls;n that she bad altered sadly. In vain