The anti-monopolist., 1875-12-30

contrast to my own bold, energetic spirit,
| soon learnad to love and cherish her as o
dear friend.
She, ON her part, even on that first even
ing of our acquaintance, seemed equally at
tracted toward me, and wheresoever went,
folowsd closely in my footsteps, ever at
tended by her cousin.
Stacy Percival was tall and finely formed |
one of natures noblemen-and SO widely |
| different from those | had been accustomed |
| to meet, that listened with rapt attention
| TO the rich mellow voice which lent an in
terest to the most trihing words.
| That evening was the beginning of a new
epoch in my life
| The summer wore on and scarce day
passed that did not find Stacy, Laura and
myself in close companionship.
Riding, boating and walking, the time
went rapidly on, until the chill days OF au-
tumn surprised US, and then Mrs. Wilton
and Laura departed for the city, TO remain
| through the winter months.
And Stacy Perciyal accompanied them. 1t
was 4 rude shock, this sudden awakening
from the sweet dream-like life into which
| had insensibly glided.
had been SO happy and contented with
my lot, the hours had flown SO rapidly that
had no time to pause and consider what 1t
meant-that strange JOY which filled NY
heart and made the whole earth seem raul-
ant with beauty.
Bat now that it was all over, now that
was left IN my loneliness again. my heart
took council with ITSELF and whispered the
truth in clear startling accents.
| loved Stacy Percival! Yes, 1t was too
true, | loved hiin-unasked, unsought.
had given my heart to a stranger, and my
cheeks grew hot as | realized that my at1ec-
tion was stronger than that cherished TOR
the dear, good relative who had cared tor
me my life long.
despisea myself l would rather have
died than acknowledge the truth, and yet
could not deceive my own heart. kne"
only TOO well that 1t was the truth that l had
bestowed my love unsought.
A week after her departure | received
letter from Laura, in which she mentioned
that Stacy had gone out to the far West, on
some sudden business emergency, 'tor you
know" the letter concluded, that Stacy
had lately taken it into his own hands the
control of the immense importing establish
ment inherited from his father"
No, had no, known it; had not dreamed
that Stacy Percval was a rich man. | had
thought nlW Tool, pcuhiiOoo lint ~ SS-',
), and dropped the letter with sigh
Fan would have convinced myself that
II this was the reason he had gone away and
made no sign: he was rich, / was poor, and,
therefore no ft wife for him who might wed
whom he pleased but l could not believe it;
| well knew that no such sordld motive
could influence him whom loved; it was l
S, who was in fault; not my poverty.
tal uf tn Hp II.
mansion called my home, and there sat
down. resolved to think Of it all calnly, and
then to dismiss Stacy Perciyal from my
thoughts forever; only thus, | knew, could
hope TO recover my lost peace.
He had taught me to love him, and then
he had gone silently away; had been but q
summer S pas,ime to him. yet, no. ne was
ii too noble and good to have acted thus; II
was my own vanity alone that had led me
10 believe that was more to him than sim
ply the intimate friend of his cousin.
. lie had shown me every attention; yet
how could he avoid doing so, when, because
=. of our mutual affection for Laura. We has
been tnrown SO constantly together.
quick step close by startled me from
the painful reverie, and raised my eyes Il
NEE, the earnest, searching gaze OF Sta
cy Percival
..Mabcl p he exclaimed passionately, :"
:! have something that | meant to have tolt
YOU u week ago, but my aunt hurried M
: away to the city SO suddenly that l had NJ
chance TO speak 10 you alone, and then busi
ness compelled me to hastea TO the wes;
:, Mabel. have travelled night and day that
might return to you and tell you that | lov'
= YOU, and want you for my own-allmy own
: Mabel dear Mabel why do you turn from
meg Speak 10 me. Mabel, speak to me- No
: a word? Then have offended you. For
give me. | was a fool to think you coult
:, love one like me.
:, He turned and walked away. and gaze,
- after him with longing, fast throbblns
heart. that would not let me call him back
: strove to speak, but my tongue seeme1
- paralyzed.
=, Suddenly he retraced his steps, his fac
:, white and stern.
Mabel. oh Mabel, do you know wha
= you are loing-driving me TO desperation
q and despair. Mabel, Mabel. why did yo,
lie, me hopes You must have Sc n ,ha
:. each passing day was making me love yor
~ ~ more and more. and ye, did not check me
- You permitted me to think-oh, Mabel
IL His voice died away IN deep draw
" moan. and sinking down by me his hea
~ dropped on my knee.
~ found my voice then. The sight of hi
~ ~ suffering broke the spell which held me 81
~ lent.
STACY. dear Stacy" | whispered, I'd
L. not grieve SC. You are wrong IL"
o. He lifted his head, and never was huma
g countenauce more radiant with JOY, for th
G truth which my lips had refused to utte
n was unmistakably written on my tell-ssl
K face
MS With glad, triumphant cry he caught m
in his arms.
d My own, my own, all mine. Mabel: is
m no. So My wife. my treasure. Oh. N
er darling, don {; deserve such happiness a
rs this"
h, How long We sat there beneath the tree
of | know not, nor when the interview woul
re have terminated had no. the voice of u
aunt, summoning me TO the house, broke /
nd upon our sweet converse.
OIL STACY" said l. as he bade me good By
.a-e xou sure Mrs Wilton and Laura WI