The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-12-30

soon learnad to love and cherish her as
dear friend.
She, on her part, even on that first even
ing Of our acquaintance, seemed equally at
tracted toward me, and wheresoever l went, |
followed closely in my footsteps, ever at
tended by her cousin.
Stacy Percival was tall and finely formed |
one of natures mediterranean so widely |
different from those l had been accustomed |
to meet, that listened with rapt attention
to the rich, mellow voice which lent an in
terest to the most trifing 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 Percival accompanied them. 1t
was rude shock, this sudden awakening
from the sweet dream-ike 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 radl-
ant with beauty.
| But 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, it was too
true. loved him-unasked, unsought. |
had given my heart to a stranger, and my
cheeks grew hot as l realized that my affec
ton was stronger than that cherished for
the dear, good relative who had cared for
me my life long.
| despised myself. would rather have
/ died than acknowledge the truth, and yet
could not deceive my own heart. l knew
only too well that it was the truth that had
bestowed my love unsought.
A week after her departure l received a
letter from Laura, in which she mentioned
that Stacy had gone out to the far West, on
some sudden business emergency, 'for 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 Percival was rich man. l had
thought him poor, penniless like myself,
and dropped the letter with sigh.
Fain would have convinced myself that
this was the reason he had gone away and
made no sign; he was rich, was poor, and,
therefore no fit wife for him who might wed
whom he pleased; but could not believe it;
III well knew that no such sordid motive
could influence him whom loved; it was
+, who was in fault; not my poverty.
walked out to the grove behind the old
mansion called my home, and there sa,
down, resolved to think of it all calmy, and
then to dismiss Stacy Perclyal from my
thoughts forever; only thus, l knew, could
hope to recover my lost peace.
He had taught me to love him, and ther
he had gone silently away; had been but s
summers pastime to him; yet, no! he was
i too noble and good to have acted thus; i
was nv own vanity alone that had led MI
to believe that was more to him than sim
ply the intimate friend of his cousin.
He had shown me every attention; yet
how could he avoid doing so, when, because
: of our mutual affection for Laura. we has
been thrown SO constantly together?
A quick step close by startled me from
the painful reverie, and raised my eyes t
81 meet the earnest, searching gaze of Sta
cy Percival.
..Mabel !" he exclaimed passionately, q
,, have something that l meant to have tolt
YOU q week ago, but my aunt hurried M
: away to the city so suddenly that had NJ
chance to speak to you alone, and then bust
ness compelled me to hasten to the wes,
, | Mabel have travelled night and day that
might return to you and tell you that low
YOU, and want you for my own-allmy own
Mabel, dear Mabel why do you turn from
me? Speak to me, Mabel, speak to me! No
a word? Then have offended you. For
give me. was fool to think you coult
love one like me-"
He turned and walked away. and gaze'
after him with longing, fast throbbini
heart, that would not let me call him back
I strove TO speak, but my tongue scenes
. paralyaed.
Suddenly he retraced his steps, his fac
;, | white and stern.
" mabel. oh! Mabel, do you know wha
you are doing-driving me to desperation
and despair. Mabel, Mabel, why did yo
let me hope! You must have Sc, N tina
!, each passing day was making me love yo
;. more and more. and yet 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
4 dropped on my knee.
y found my voice then. The sight Of hi
:. suffering broke the spell which held me 81
= lent.
"S,acy, dear Stacy" whispered, I'D
l. not grieve SC. You are wrong. IL"
s.l He lifted his head, and never was huma
/. countenauce more radiant with joy, for th
J. truth which my lips had refused to ute
: was unmistakably written on my tell-tal
Z face.
Is With glad, Triumphant cry he caught n
in his arms.
4 My own, my own, all mine. Mabel; is
A. no. so. My wife, my treasure! Oh! m
er darling, don't deserve such happiness q
> this"
ht How long We sat there beneath the tret
Of know not, nor when the interview woul
re have terminated had not the voice Of m
aunt, summoning me to the house, broke
id upon our sweet converse.
H. STACY said 1, as he babe me good b,
..are you sure Mrs. Wilton and Laura wi
n. approved"