The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-09-30

some, and the sight of both of which un-
canny visitants made Cleve Symington
pause second on the threshold, as he
caught glimpse of a golden head buried
in two tiny fair hands and heard the un-
mlstakable sobs that shook the little
white-robed figure crouching in a heap
beside a low hassock He only hesitated
a second; then, with look of tenderest
love, pity and sympathy, crossed the room
| to her side
Birdie, why crying so piteously. Can
sympathize, or do intrude?"
She sprang up in a sweet, shy surprise,
her face all tear-tiushed, her eyes as
bright as dew drops. She was one of
those heaven favored mortals that weep
ing beauties. She only looked fresher
and tairer, and so pitiful, and Cleve's
arms fairly ached to take her to his heart
and kiss her tears away. And he would,
he vowed, rapturously in another five
minutes. She took her handkerchieffrom
fragrant, and essayed to smile as she
wiped the tears from her lashes
Il am afraid l appear very childish,
Mr.. Symington-but when think-when
it is all gone"
Her exquisite lips quivered again, but
she checked the rebellious tears bravely.
81 am as poor as church mouse-that
is all. A letter from my guardian says
everything was invested in a mining CON-
pany, and the shares are not worth the
paper they are printed on
Cleve fairly worshiped her then, as she
honestly explained her position, with the
quiet, lady-like way so natural to her.
at is a misfortune, l admit; and yet,
Birdie, there will inevitably come one
good of it-you will learn who are your
real friends"
Somehow he said it so very earnestly
that Birdie glanced curiously at him, then
dropped her eyes under the blue-yeined,
long dashed lids. Cleve was close by her
side the next instant with her hands i'm
prisoned in his and his impassioned eyes
fairly scorching her face.
"You surely understand me, darling?
You will let me prove my friendship, love,
my alteration: Little girl, say you will
be my own. Tell me you love me and
promise me the great privilege of caring
for you forever, my little wife,
1t was so sweet, this manly, honest,
eager avowal, and coming, as it did, on
the very heels of her misfortune, and
from the lips of the only lover she ever
had prayed to hear the words from
And yet-O woman's foolish pride!-all
her perverse little heart rose in rebellion
at accepting everything and giving moth
ing. 1t never should be said of Birdie
Lorne that she took the first offer she re-
ceived after her misfortune simply because
there was money in it. SO, while Cleve
waited, smiling patiently at her bowed
head, never doubling that his whole earth
ly happiness was at hand, dreaming such
rapid, blissful dreams Of the future, Bir-
die deliberately made up her stubborn
will, through horrid pangs of pain then
she lifted her head in a quick, naughty
way that it had often delighted in before
You are so kind, Mr.. Symington, and
| appreciate every word you say, and
will rememberyou gratefully to my dying
day. But marry no man to whom
would have to feel under such obligations
as l would feel to you.''
She spoke gently, but with proud
ring to her voice. Cleve recled under the
sharp, sudden blow. He clcnched her
hands so tightly thai her rings cut in the
tender flesh, but she only compressed
her lips and made no sign of how he
hurt her.
"But, Birdie" and there was such ago
ny in his voice thather own heart quailed
second, "don't speak of obligations to
the man who loves you as l do; speak as
if you knew you would grace a Queens
throne, as you would. Birdie, Birdie,
don't be so cruel to me-
Her lips quivered, and her eyes over
flowed suddenly.
you mean what you say, my friend, l
know; Or rather you think you mean it,
which is the same to me, since l cannot
accept it. But you are only pitifui, kind
and sympathetic, and the sight Of my
tears and grief has touched your great
heart That is ALL
She drew her hands away from his
softly.
at is not all. l love you-"
Then something in her imperious face
made him suddenly desist, and by the way
she looked and acted Cleve Symington
knew she was desperately in earnest. She
would not marry him because she was so
proud. F--. IS. = g.. ',-. 49,. =, ~ -
And he went sadly away, feeling numb
and stupefed, as he walked home in a
strange, dazed way, that his fond mother
saw from her peeping place between The
curtains; and her own face lost all its mat
ronly bloom as Cleve came in whittier than
death itself and threw himself on the sofa.
Then when he had told her, between
spasms Of pain that forced him to lie
speechless, the rosy flush crept softly
back, and into the eyes fairly radiated a
happy, hopeful light.
"Try to bear it, my boy" she said,
gently. You have proved what noble
woman she is, if nothing more'
Then she went out, smiling to herself.
A plain, large room, situated
on the second story, that bore evidence of
very recent finishing in the new, cheap
carpet on the floor, the cheap, coarse,
homely chairs and table. Before the
small, mahogany framed looking glass
that hung between the windows Mrs
Symes Symington was tying her bonnet
strings-narrow black strings to a black
straw bonnet, trimmed with Quaker plain
ness-that compared suitably with her
black alpaca dress and dull plaid shawl.
She smiled at her reflection, then glanced
down at her unaccustomed toilet.
81 think l shall be successful will
be successful, for my boys sake. The
sight of his patient, pale face will inspire
me to any degree and if Miss Lorne is
the woman take her to be she will prove
it before an hour passes over our heads.
"Since her descent into poverty gen
teel, lady-like poverty, however, learn
she passes this house every day at twelve
O'Clock, and takes her dinner at the res
taurant several doors below; so if l in
tend to meet her l had better be going"
She locked the door, put the key in her
pocket and went down the stairs into the
street-exactly in time; for slight,
graceful figure, clad in gray twill, passed