The Hartford herald., 1875-01-27
CHAPTER VII.
A Lost BOY.

It was a terrible misfortune. Apart
from Lady Saxonbury's almost insane
grief for the cliild himself il was a great
misfortune ia pecaniary point Of view
With her sons death a considerable por-
ton Of her income passed from her; her
resources as the widow OF Sir Arthur Sax
onbury not being large. Just enough was
left her 10 starve upon, she groaned, taxi
ing an exaggerated view of things, as she
was apt 10 do. Her grief was, indeed, pit
liable. She persisted in attributIng all
the blame Of the boys deatlIto Maria
She commenced a system of unkind treat
ment. could not endure the sight of her:
and when she did see her, it was only to
break out into sobs and harsh reproaches.
II should not bear it" observed Mr..
Yorke, one day, to Maria
''Is it JUST" returned Maria, in pas
sionate tone Of appeal. when | saw him
20 the door cf the college, how could i'm
agiue that he pretended to 90 in only to
blind me-that he would disobediently
run to the canal the moment was ont OF
sightH Is it just of Lady Saxonbury."
"No. Very unjust. / say | should
emancipate myself"
81 cannot lead this life. II makes me
80 wretched that | sometimes begin to
doubt whether | am not really guilty. /
will 60 away rather than bear it"
"Let me emancipate you, Maria, said
Mr. Yorke.
She cast at him a rapid glance. The
hour wac come that she had expected:
sometimes doubted, If she had not dread
ed.
"You cannot be ignorant of my inten-
tions," he.resumed,. or why have STAYED
IA re in this place, which hate. You
must know that / love you passionately;
far more passionately than he did, Maria. u
ethan who did?' she exclaimed, with
q rush of conscious color.
"Janson. As if you did not know"
''Why do you bring up JansonY' she
said "What is Janson to me?"
Maria, you will be my wife? Do not
refuse" he impetuously added. 81 have
worn that if You are not mine you shal
never be another's."
"Mr. YorkeI"
81 cannot live without you. love you
too psssionately for my own peace. You
must be mine, Maria. 1t was your faith.
er wish"
What was she TO answer? She did no
know. Aeonfict was at work within her
She liked Mr.. Yorke, but-she loved Ed
ward Janson. Edward Janson, however
she could never hope to marry, and he
days were passed in striving to forget him
With Mr.. Yorke she should go back t
the dear old home at Saxonbury.
Give me until tomorrow, and you shal
have an answer" she said to him. "Thi
q has come upon me suddenly"
"Very well. Remember, Maria, tha
during the suspense, shall neither ca
nor sleep; shall have neither peace no
rest Be my wife, and your days shall b
dream of love"
"a dream of lovel" she bitterly repeat
ed, as he left her. "For him, perhaps
not for me-"
She remained in her room until evening
communing with herself, and then sh
sought Lady Saxonbury, saying she wishe
TO consult her.
81 am not worth consulting now," wa
the querulous answer. my spirits ar
gone, my heart is broken"
"Mr. Yorke wants me to marry him.
"Mr. Yorke!" returned her step-mothe
somewhat aroused. HAS he asked you:
"Yes; to day."
Then you are more lucky than you d.
serve"
II do not know whether to accept or r
ject him."
Reject himl" fiercely interposed Lad
Saxonbury. "You are out Of your sense
With his fine fortune, his position, b
amiability"-
as he amIable?" asked Maria. "E
puzzles me at times"
"What puzzles your?
His words. don't understand ther
And the expression Of his c0untenance.