The Republican journal., 1874-07-02
to herself. But that is impossible.
lifetime Of working and waiting"

ed Her heart had softened toward the
girl as it had not done of late years to any
human creature. She took pleasure in
her beauty she admired her talents and
her resoIute character; she fairly Won
dered at her own tondness, but she made
no sign
And Vera? | think you can imagine
what she suffered but she suffered like a
strong woman, not a girl. Indeed, many
of her age would have decided she could
have no heart, she fought so gallantly and
persistcntly against her pain, showing it
not She would not give away-she would
| struggle through She made for herself
every amusement anCh interest possible.
| She took up the studies of her school-lite
again, and vague notions of growing rich
by them in some way or other did run in
her heart But nevertheless her untoward
| fate, her disappointment, and her isolated
existence, told upon her; she grew thin
and pale, was unable to eat. and passed
night after night in seepless misery. She
must keep her beauty; il was dear to her.
because he priced it She would not grow
| bony, and haggard and old. He would
the Years had no more changed her face
l..
| years seemed 50 tar off as to fill her with
dismay.
Aunt Nesbitt," she said, Il want some
bromide Of potash and l want hvpophos-
| phites Of iron and some soda
''Ble@' my cars'' exclaimed Aunt Nes-
bitt.
II have no money; will You buy them
have no appetite. can't sleep
That's according to all rules of ro-
NANCE said the old lady.
Il told you was vain," went on Vera.
| 81 do not care to grow ugly. mean to
keep my good looks until am forty
| seven
II will buy You a ton of soda and the
other stuff" said Miss Nesbitt. But You
are disappointment to me, Vera; You
are not q bit of heroine
Il am not a heroine; | am a woman
that's better returned Vera
Miss Ncsbitt went on with her crochet
III silence for some time She had not
| been so near shedding. tears for twenty
years. Suddenly she threw her work on
the floor, regardless of the havoc Seraph
Immediately proceeded to make cf it, She
marched up to Vera, looking as if she
were about to bite her, stopped, kissed the
| girls forehead, and stalked out of the
room. Vera knew now that she had been
given place in that long-sealed heart
She let herself cry q little. glad to be loved
She had no mind to shut her eyes against
a CLEAN OF light because she could NOT
| have the sun.
Ihe next day was drealy and windy
vera was sent Oft several miles in the close
carriage to inquire after sick friend OF
Aunt Nesbitt's. The old lady had Il cold
and did not dare to venture out.
| AsAliss Nesbitt sat alone in the library.
an hour later, her footman entered to an
nounce visitor.
"Who is it?" she asked, with a sniff, not
Tor the visitor. but forced from her by her
cold
He wouldn't give any name ma am
He SAID you did not know him. was the
answer.
Let him come in," said Miss Nesbitt
Miss Nesbitt was accustomed to this
Strangers often called upon her to solicit
! aid for, what they generally styled ee.ll~
phllanthroplc scheme. She expected such
a guest now.
As the door opened she began to snceze
Nobody sneezed to the extent that Miss
Nesbitt did when She had one of these
colds.
sixteen times" said she, aloud. IL
sneezed thirtv-tour this morning without
stopping"
She looked up, and saw before her 4
young man with one of the finest, grand
est faces that she had eyel set ewes on
She was so surprised that she thought
aloud
'4ou cannot be q philanthropistm
"On the contrary" said her visitor, with
| a pleasant laugh. II am the most selfish
man alive"
Il always wanted to see him." rcplicG
the old lady, not in the least ahashed
Pray sit down"
81 must tell you my name first, Madam
Perhaps when you have heard it you will
regret your invitation | am Moore Riv-
mgton. have only lately discovered that
that Miss Raymond was here"
81 thought you were safe in India. Sir.
The appointment ! expected was de-
layed. | am really going now; but coult
not resist the temptation of coming here
first, | wished to see YOU, Madam; anC
You cannot see her. ." again interrupted
Miss Nesbitt; III promised her mothe,
that"
He rose and began walking excitedly
up and down, commencing several sen.
tences, and finishing none.
''Sit down. said the old lady; ''you
fdget me- Sit down, We will each heal
what the other has to say
Even this was better than Mr. Rivin gtor
had expected He sat down and spent .
long hour with her When he took his
leave he looked happier, though forced
to 90 without seeing Vera.
The next morning Miss Nesbitt handed
Vera note. go to your room and read
it," she said. ASK me no questions. fol
I've nothing to tell"
Vera knew the handwriting. Her hands
and heart alike trembled as she opened
the note 1t was but few lines of fare
well. 4 promise to be true, and all that
| Miss Nesbitt had 50 far relented rs to
allow him to write it; but she would not
breal; her promise to Mrs. Raymond, and
he had left without seeing Vera.
The letter was something, however.
| Neras eyes, as she read ii, were blinded
| by happy tears.
Yes. l will be true to YOU. Moore,
True forever"
Two years passed away! Two whole
years! Vera remained by choice with
Miss Nesbitt. The time sped on slowly,
very slowly to Vera; but she never
| despalred and never doubted. Moore
Rvington's name was never mentioned
between aunt and niece; but Miss Mes
bitt knew that the girl had not changed.
Once they were surprised by visit
| from Mrs RAYMOND Rut she conId NOT
get Vera to 60 back with her-which had
no doubt been the object of her unexpected
descent
Within a month of her departure, there
came two letters from her, one to Miss
Nesbitt, one to Vera, and local news
paper. In the newspaper was the an
nouncement of Moore Rivington's marriage
in India and the letters confirmed it and
gave few particulars. The young bride
was an heiress.
81 hope you will come to your senses
now, Vera" wrote. somewhat heartlessly
| Mrs. RAYMOND, 81 trust Won have some