The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-04-10

age to brave her reproaohes. Now,
Charlie, will you act rs mediator. and
make known this change in my views p
"Why, uncle" he answered, and ]
was almost sure that I saw n CLEAN OF
mischief in his eyes, something extrn-
ordinary must have happened. You
are not usually 30 tickle - es
"iWye won't discuss the Inatter,' said
I, in an irritated tone. Will you, or
will you not, grant my request2"
"Of course, I will," he replied
"but it is difficult task. The poor
child will be so disappointed !"
L detected Joyous ring in his
voice, and I looked ut him rather sus-
piciously.
His diplomatic mission was success
ful, however. Late in the afternoon,
Katie came down into the library where
1 was sitting. had never seen her
look prettier. lg.
"Oh, Mr.. Raymond I" she said,
eagerly, "I am SO glad that you have
changed your mind It was SO unex-
pected yesterday. never dreamed
before that you loved me in any other
way than as daughter"
Was this acting? was she trying to
deceive me in her sweet unselfishness {?
Then you never loved me ?" I
asked.
"Dear Mr.. Raymond, you know bet
ter" she answered only it was not
exactly the kind of love one ought to
feel toward husband You are as
dear to me as if you were my own faith
err; but you are so much older than I,
that-that-'
She hesitated, and did not finish her
sentence. L remembered my gray hairs
with q pang Of mortified vanity. Was
not the ghostly visit enough2 Must I
be tortured in this manner afterward Z?
The veil was torn away from the de-
lusion I had cherished. Alas I had
misinterpreted her childish affection.
1t might be that she loved another. I
looked down into the face where vivid
scarlet glowed, and read her secret.
"AIy dear child" I exclaimed, at.
tempting to control my agitation, "tell
me everything"
''Oh, Mr.. Raymond, she answered
in confusion, "Charlie has asked me to
be his wife.
The rascal No wonder that he re-
mained with her such long time that
morning no wonder that he boasted of
the satisfactory manner in which every
thing had been explained.
Ihe lmpudent fellow J" 1 muttered,
impatiently. What did you answer,
chill 2easD IoYee lii4ls as' ;'1s1i
8 Low and 4soft the answer came =.
eyes,"
!. The Leart of woman is a mystery
that cannot fathom. was certainly
outwitted by my nephew. He might
have been afraid, however, that my
conscience would reproach mo if Katie
showed her disappointment. I have
little doubt that she loved mo far bctter
than she would confess.
All, we'll they were married in due
time, and we are all living together.
The dear children do everything they
can to add to my happiness.
Katie is still a beautiful woman, and
Charlie is the staff of my old age.
au I never saw,the ghost again. In fact,
1 have good reason to think that the
mysterious visitant was certain grace
less s.nephew of mine, vino had fallen in
love with Katie. OF course L forgave
the deception long ago, as it saved me
from terrible mistake.
am much happier, probably, than if
1 had married the young girl whose
heart belonged to another. I am not
certain certain, hhuwever, t6haG she did not ac-
,cept Charlie from pique at my reiec-
tion. Any way, he has made her good
husband. -.