Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-04-10

Ell ny our chanse VI circumstances
| am confident that Isabel will no
wish you to consider yourself bount
to her against your will"
81 was about to speak of that,
said Gerald Rhodes, in a tone hal
of shame, half Of determination. 6.
have been led to think of late tha
we are not so well suited to eacl
other as we supposed, and perhaps
it would be as well to sever the con
nection." .H
81 am quite Of your opinion, Mr.
Rhodes" said Isabel, who had just
entered the house, and had heard
the last words Of the speaker, "and
can not be too grateful to the change
Of circumstances, bitter as it may
be in other respects, which has re-
vealed to me the true character OF
the man to whom ] was about to
sacrifice my life"
AS she stood erect, with flashing
eyes and flushed cheeks, looking
down upon her recreant lover, he
covered beneath the glance, and
stammered ont that he wanted to
do what was right, and hoped he
had not hurt their feelings.
"You need not trouble yourself
Oh that score, sir" said Isabel, proud
ly, "nOr could You have taken a
more etfectual method for dissipat-
ing whatever of regard l once had
for You. For that l feel grateful to
you."
Gerald Rhodes did not find it
agreeable to remain much longer.
"WelI, FIN glad it's ovcr," mutter-
ed he as he left the house. "I don't
want to be tied to beggar. When
| marry l want to extend my busi-
ness connection. How fortunate it
was that | didn't marry last spring
as | thought of doing. Then |
couldn't have helped myself. Now
L am well off with it. And yet she
did look handsome when she stood
there looking at me. | wish things
hadn't happened so, for L shan't
soon meet with one that would have
done more credit to my choice"
1t was now necessary for the fam
lily to seek some employment. 1sa-
bel procured school, which yield
ed her all income which, though not
large, was of essential service in
procuring the family comforts.
Charlie also obtained place in a
store, and he too was able to con-
tribute his sllarc-while Mrs. Cor.
don took charge of the housekeep.
g,and did plain sewing. OF course
hey had moved into a smaller house
md lived very frugally. Of course,
100, they were obliged to submit to
many privations, and Charities edu-
,ation was suspended. From this
they were finally relieved,
md, sin gularly enough, by Gerald
Shodes himself. AS the readers |
is no doubt excited by this
statement, l will proceed without
lelay 70 detail the circumstances.
lii the course of business he was
allied to Chicago the spring after
Ir. GOrdOn's decease. AS this was
he first time of his visit to this en-
Western city, he of course
ad curiosity to look about him
nd mark the evidences of it's pros
eritv. His attention was called in
he course of a morning walk to a
arge tract of laud just outside the
ity.
"That land,' he remarked, twill
oon become of great value"
eyes" was the reply, "the city is
lst reaching it, and it will soon be
II cut up for building lots. Five
ears hence and it will be worth, I
m confident, not far from a hun
red thousand dollars"
"To whom does it belongw in:
uired Gerald. with interest.
off am not mistaken it was pur-
lased years ago for mere trifle
y a Mr.. Gordon of your city. 1
as acquainted with the former ow-
er, who regrets very much that he
id not retain his hold upon it,"
"Mr. Gordon !" exclaimed Gerald,
arting. {
ayes; do you know him ?" {
81 did formerly" said the young I
an, evasively. {
Gerald Rhodes had now plenty to I
ink about. He had no doubt in {
S own mind that this was the lot
to Mrs. Gordon, and it G
as very evident that she was en- t
rely ignorant of its value. After
!, it would have been a good spec. 9