Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1874-12-03
Helena, Montana, Thursday, December 3, 1874.

to be a surprise to all of us. 1t is strange that
it didn't somehow transpirc sooner"
Scribblcton brcathcd a little easier, but he
was not yet quite at rest
This gentleman, Jennie, is relative by
marriage, and regret that didn't know you
were acquainted. Then might have arrang-
ed that you travel together instead Of drop
ping in sngIy by successive trains"
1t was all right now; no allusion to Scrib-
blcton's sbcncdictism. ''Rclativc by marriage"
though, was excellent. At one and the same
time Scribhlctons admiration was excited and
his fears were quoted.
But will leave you now" Mrs Podgcrs
continued, ITO see about breakfast. II must
be nearly ready. Ugh: that snuff and harts-
horn: how awkward i! was Of me to drop
them. You had better so out on the piazza
or into the sitting till the room clears of
it,
And She Withdrew; not on account OF the
breakfast. though, but because, good old soul,
she wanted to afford these two young people
the earliest possible opportunity to remove
that misunderstanding" that Scribb!cton had
spoken Of. When she had gone, Jennie
glanced at Scribblcton with a half-frightcncd
air, and then showed II disposition to retire
also She had been very brave and firm on
paper, but she feared for he fself in person.
III interview with the man she had dismissed
But Scribblcton intercepted her, and leading
her to seat in tie room adjoining. sat down
near her.
Il received your note. Jennie" he began
at once. land l am thankful that accident
has enabled me to see YOU again without dis
obedience to your commands. May not ac-
ccpt it rs all omen that the explanation you
forbade would, if permitted, result in a bet
| t"- understanding between u.s."
Jennie sat silent, with uOwncas, ~,
haps delibcrating upon response; but Scrlb-
bleton eagerly accepted her silence as per
mission to continue, and did so. The reader
has already seen what explanations Scribblc-
ton had to offer, what promises he would
give, what sacrifices he was prepared to make
for his loves sake. All these he now urged
with an eloquence and earnestness born of
the great interests he had at stake, the success
! of which was to depend so much upon the
appea: he was now making.
mo, dear Jennie" he concluded, "whcn
it became a question of surrendering the pur-
suit of literature or yourself whom love with
all the devotion of which the human heart is
capable, there cannot be the slightest hesita-
ton in choosing. have written my last
story; will never pick up o pen again but
at your command; live henceforth only to
cherish you and study your happiness; and
as hope for heaven will abide by these
promises.
Jennie listened to this appeal with bosom
distracted by contending emotions. She saw
that her love for Scribblcton retained upon
her heart as powerful a grasp as ever not
withstanding her efforts, but prudence was
in arms, that prudence whose voice is too
often stiflcd or its warnings disregarded in the
presence of the hearts infatuation; and pru.
dence forbade step that might in despite ol
these fair promises tumble her life into ruins.
She sat silent when Scribbleton ceased speak.
ing, but glanced up at him with half-wist
full, half-frightened expression that revealed
to him the struggle within her bosom.
"At least" he explained. somewhat en-
couraged by her indecision but yet anxious
and fearful, for his accustomed confidence
had quite forsaken him, ''at least let the mat
ter rest in abeyance for time, say for year
During this time shall be constantly under
the observation of your Aunt Podgcrs
(for am to have charge of her affairs who
could faithfully report to you upon my con
duct during that period; and if it should no
be satisfactory you may then dismiss me ane
l will acquiesce without murmur.
This satisfied prudence, and love being thu:
left without contestant in Jennie's bosom
quickly triumphed. She made no verbal re-
sponse, however; but better than that pu
her lips after the old fashion into suggestive
proximity to Scribbleton's face, and Mrs
Podgers appeared at the door to call them tf
breakfast just in time to detect her recrean'
husband bestow kiss upon them. Did she
storm and rave about it? Did she proceed to
reduce Scribblctonn's intellectual head to q
state of untimely badness? Not bit of it
but the good, self-sacridcing old soul jus
softly sighed, and said within herself regret
fully, 81, ann. of ho,,
/ Of them. so that they could marry and settle
down with me. But the will-the will die
Il. hope that all will yet be well, but feal
that heaven will not prosper such deception.