Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-07-03

story hook fashion. On the stage at IS he
would have caused tender hearted ladies' to say
"how sweet" 1t WAS pretty little scene, re-
hearsed in private, had May but known 1t the
night before and no girl could have failed to
understand bis parting words.
Tomorrow before you leave, ] must see
| you. You Will grant me private interview, will
you not ] have something OF intense import
ance TO myself, at least, to Say to you. You will
let see you in the garden IT falter,
| look, snatch at her hand, the touch of his lips
| upon it.
| Then the curtain should have dropped as he
rode away in his gig and said to himself
~ always was a lucky fellow-to think that
| Providence should have sent an heiress to such
place rs this, pretty one, too ~
When May entered the house a surprise await
ed her. Cousin Helen took her at once to her
bed room, and there, behind closed doors, re-
peated her husbands information.
| You know You are go young and nexperienc-
| ed" said she, " and fortune hunter in dread
| ful creature"
| Mays face flushed crimson.
| " Do you really think nobody conld love me
for myself p she asked in sudden lit Of indig
| nation.
Then common sense cnme to her aid. She
| sat quiet for while, and then drew near her
| cousin, and whispered something in her ear. 1t
| was a long whisper. N
| :. 1t will prove him" she said aloud; " and you
| will help me y
Cousin Helen promised, and May retired to
| her own room. there to shed few not unnatural
| tears
Night passed tho morning came The school
house doors were set open for the first time for
| months. The committee was TO meet at eleven
to examine the candidates for the teachers
positions.
Old Farmer Parsons walked over, also Farmer
Brown. The doctor was there, and the lawyer,
| Mr. Triphammer, Miss Cynthia Alderney was
seen walking toward the door with defiant face.
| Missl'nker followed with a scared one Marcus
ff.f.lr hi all
sitting into their seats little figure in bufr lin
eli, with blue ribboned hat on It's head, slipped
lGto one of the doors stood among them.
Everybody looked up.
''Miss Dimple." said the farmer "why, de-
clare"
Miss Dimple !" said the doctor, advancing
| with gallant air.
''Yes, sir" said May quietly. II understand
that you examine candidates to-day. l am fond
of teaching, and when one must do something,
ono seizes every chance, you know. May 1 be
examned?"
81 suppose you are jesting, Miss. .Dimple," said
the doctor.
"Not l." enid May. "I suppose you have
heard that foolish story about mo. Two or three
hundred dollars may be very pleasant little
sum to spend on n vacation but it doesn't make
one great heiress."
"Folks will talk, you know" said Farmer Par
Sons, with twinkle in his eye. "a poor gal il
as respectable as a rich one, as long as she con-
ducts proper. Sit down, Miss Dmpe.
| Ilie doctor retired to his seat, his face pale
and rigid. Marcus Moreland OIL the contrary
had flushed scarlet.
| May two lovers were a strange contrast at
| that moment. For her own part she was far
quleter and sadder and more womanly than usu-
al. She went through the examination bravely,
under the fire Of Miss Cynthia's indignant eyes,
and amidst Miss Bakers despondng sigls. Then
she walked home and waited, she had prom
iscd, i'll the garden. Would the doctor keep his
| engagementxs,He lie did.
MY dear iss Dimple," he said as he adj
vanced gaily, but not quite naturally. II feared
l should scarcely got here in time to bid you
good by. I'm sorry the committee think you too
young for the place. They've given it to Miss
Cynthia Really, it would be very dull for you,
| very. told you 1 had something very particu-
lar to say to you-didn't II You remember, l see.
| / didn't think you would. wanted to say that
Ivo really enjoyed your little visit to this place
so much. Ladies' society is treat to poor
old bachelor doctor, who expects to be a bache-
lor all his life, by the way. Yon know what the
society here is, Miss Dimple, and you've bright
ened the summer for me. I've had treat. SO
that's what l wanted to tell you, and to bid you
| a last goodbye"
"Good-bye, Dr. Purl," said May with smilo
The man who had made such desperate love to
her tS h9r e dh who hsa aeef III BIZ pse @
understand, had slipped calmly and smoothly
ont of the affair, aud she could match him in
coolness
They shook hands.
"Adieu,' said the doctor, with the true Pari-
nian accent, and jumped into his gig thanking
heaven that ha had escaped an offer to poor
gnl.
The hcjress stood by the gate whore lie had
left her, thanking Heaven much more devoutly
for her escape. Yet L shall not say she was
happy. 1t was not in nature for she had be-
eycd this man her true and earnest lover. The
first bitter thoughts that had ever troubled her
young heart filled it now her first glimpse of
real life was tsken As she stood there she had
began to doubt that there was such thing az
true love.
A tear or two fell she wiped them away
and through the mist that yelled her eyes she
saw bright, ardont yonng. face, ,strangey,in con-
trast with the cool. formal, unmoved counten.
anse with its handsome features and practced
smile, that had Just passed from before her
vision. 1t was the face of Marcus Moreland
and before she was aware OF his intention he
had passed his arm about her waist and kissed
ler.
ar never may again, Il must now" he said.
81 have never dared to tell you while thought
you 80 rich. but I've loved you since the first-day
we met. We are both poor lot me fight the
battle for life. / can do it, will do it. God al
ways prospers love like mine."
The twilight shadows were creeping over the
scene The distant mountains were losing the
faint rose tips that they had worn. All was still
gave the distant tinkle of a COW bell. soft,
sweet breeze swept up from the meadows, full
of the fragrance OF grass and clover. Did these
things bring the sudden calm and sweetness to
Mays wounded heart
She stood still, making Marcus no answer, but
she did not repulse him.
''To me that you. like mo- g little" pleaded
the boy.
II do like you, Marcus" said May; "but don't
ask me any more just now. can't tell you why,
but this is not the time. 1--I-just say good-by
now, Marcus. must so away tomorrow, but
will write to you"
.Remember, my love is life or death to me, "
said Marcus, and 10 they parted.
One day when May felt that she had no longer
anything hut scorn for her fortune-hunting
doctor, she did write to Marcus Moreland, and
what she said may be inferred from thelfact that
they are to be married when the spring comes
and that the people at the store, and doubtless
tho doctor also already know that Farmer Par
sons pretty young boarder was really and ac-
I tually an heiress, and that Farmer Parsons, a
shrewd old man with plenty OF good sense, knew
and approved of the ruse that tested the heresss
! loyers all along.