Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-07-04
TOO LATE.

oscar, do You lntchd 10 marry MISS
Wakefield p
Oscar Dalton stared bankly at the
speaker, as if he did not comprehend this
abrupt inquiry.
"Do intend to marry Miss Wakefield? ?"
he repeated slowly, as though it was some
thing that had never occurred to him before.
eyes: that was the question [ asked y
was the impatient response. "liaye you
any thoughts of marrying her?'
II don't know. yet, that shall ever marry
any one. What makes You asl?'
Il should say that it Is Il 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
valued friend. You have been paying her
marked attention for nearly two yeas; 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 -
II shall marry her, if marry any one"
''Then there is no engagement between
you?'
"No, sir slould not consider it honor
its fulfillmcnt-at least, a to the time. In
INV ewes, an engagement is almost as sacred
as marriage, and 20 many things might
happen in the interval, that | have not
thought it prudent to make or exact any
pledges
''lou are very prudent Young man,
was the sarcastic response ''though there Is
aqucstion in my mind as to whether you are
acting as honorable aS you imagine. Did
it ever occur to you that You have been
making pledge, all along, by Your acts,
more solemn and binding than any y0ar lips
could utter? suppose You have made your
self sure of Miss Wakciicld'S love- SO as to
bc confident that she viii 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 50 deuced expensive.
My salary is very fair. but not sufficient, vet,
to enable me to live in the style that would
I've expected of me. And then, am in no
hurry to give up my liberty. Iou know
the old saying:
'The happicst life a man ever led
Is always to court, and never 10 we'd.
'lIe'sa contemplate puppy,' muttcred
Mr.. Strong, as he looked after young Daton's
rctrenting form. Bat he shan't break
sweet. Miss Helen heart. if can help it -
The next day he sought private confer
cnce with Miss Wakefield
"My dear Miss Helen, your father was rs
dear to me as any brother could be, and |
would like to he to his daughter the friend
that he was to me. want to ask YOU few
plain, honest questions, for which beg rs
plain and honest answers
Helen Wakefield lifted her soft brown ewes
to the old mans face with look of almost
filial confidence.
81 know that You were papa's best and
dearest friend, and | will answer any ques-
tions you may ask me as would answer
him."
"Thank you, my dear child | don't think
you will ever regret the confidence YOU place
in me. Oscar Dalton has been paying vou
particular attention for some time; as 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.
''No, sir; not in words, though he asked
me if | loved him.
''Did he ever ask you t. marry him ?-
"No, sir; but | am sure that he means
it am sure that he loves mo, !"
Mr.. Strong gazed compassionatcly on the
agitated face of the speaker.
81 think he does. as well as he is capable
Of loving; but Oscar Dalton is incapable of
true, unsefish 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, concud-
ing with these words
NOW, my dear child, you must see how
unworthy this man is of Il true woman s
heart, Supposing he marricS you, as he may
condeScend to do, after waiting ill it suits
his convenience, what guarantee have Won
Tor happiness in such nature as this? You
now have an opportunity of settling yourself
well and happily in life, which. perhaps
may never occur again. Mr. Irving is a man
OF whose love any woman may be proud.
lie has arowed his love openly and honorablv.
and offered you his harl in ,na~ri,ye y