Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-03-19

town and got others, and see what abe
would say. And we all thought A. vonld
be perfectly charming, and counted on
enjoy ing heI pleasure, you cruel girl.
And Helen drew her check on the spot
for exactly what they cost me, and / ran
and go, my pearl ones while Celeste was
mending your buttons, and Helen carried
them up--and L was with her-and hung
them on Fanny's pin.cushion. And your
earrings are in your own drawerp,
"And we were telling her aunt-who
didn't like IL at all--what we had done. -
said Helen, "when you came in and few
out again 80. And Belle has Just darted
up and told us what you were doing.n
And then Helen and Anna had run TO
Fanny, and were hanging about her, as
Mr.. Harden still held her.
"Oh, you are very goodp she gasped,
piteously, raising her head a moment
very kind. But l didn't want your
diamonds. never should have spoken
SO If l hadn't thought you all under
stood"
And then little Fanny Desmond knew
no more OF what was going on around
her, and Mr.. Harden lifted her up in his
arms and carried her up to her aunt.
Nobody was ever treated so much
like q princess as Fanny Desmond was
the next morning when, rather late, she
came down to breakfast, pretty as pict-
ure in her coquettish morning cambric
and her blue ribbons, her bushes and
her smiles. Every one clustered about
her in the hall; every one had waited to
breakfast with her; every one wanted to
make amends for the night before.
And nobody was ever any gayer than
Fanny was-sparkling and sweet, yet
with sort of cold sparkle and sweet
ness, for oil that, toward everybody but
Helen and Anna. She came into the
breakfast-roOm with one of them at
either side; they took their old places
opposite her, vying with each other as
to who could do the most for her; and
when Mr.. Arthur Ormesby went to slip
into the vacant seat beside her she
glanced up and said: az beg your par
don, Mr.. Ormesby, that is Mr.. Harden's
seat" And just then Mr.. Harden, fresh
and radiant, rosy face and frost-be-
sprinkled hair, came in and occupied the
chair, and, turning with a smile, gave
her little white Scotch rose, and she
took the flower and pinned it in her
breastknot
1t was a gay breakfast, despite Mr..
Ormesby's absence at another table. As
for Mr.. Harden, he was so genial, so
brilliant, so full of merry jest and de-
lightful talk, that Fanny kept turning to
him with proud astonishment, while the
other girls looked volumes of congratu-
lation in every glance they exchanged. |
But all pleasant things come to an end |
And presently Fanny Desmond was GO
ing down the lawn alone, because a per |
son had addressed Mr.. Harden and de. |
r. n uoIo
Anna were lingering for their mallets.
Arthur Ormesby fastened after her |
with his long stride. She turned eagerly
and stopped. "Oh," she said. ~ |
bought it was Mr.. Harden"
"Oh," he said. "And you are disap- |
pointed"
ITO tell the TRUTH" she said, laugh
ingly, yes"
g Is it so?" he replied, with strange
quiver IN his voice. Last night l |
Last night, Mr. Ormesby," said
Fanny, stopping and looking him in the
face with her usual fearlessness-"l last
n ght q may as well be plain with you)
was in the thrall of a fascination"
Fanny, do you mean Oh, God
bless you" He checked himself at her
look; his heart was beating wildly. This
little girl, to whom it had been a matter
of doubt with him whether he should |
throw the handkerchief or not, was all |
at once the one who held the handker-
chief.
mean," she said, " that then another
moment would perhaps have sealed my
fate, and should have been disloyal to |
the faithfulest soul"
III cannot understand you," he
stammered, growing whittier and winter
u II you were SO near"
All, Mr. Ormesby, it was kind |
Heaven that broke that spell, though |
with such a cruel start. 1t was kind |
Heaven that showed me so early who be-
lleved in me, who trusted me, who loved |
me best-the one who came TO me like |
divine Providence itself when you hest |
lated and forsook me, and who has my
1ever-dying gratituder'
Gratitude is not love-" he exclaimed.
: Oh, Fannyw seizing her hand passion
ltely, listen to mel You must! you
'hall! That was but a moment. Allmy
ife shall go to atone"
Call it love, then," she interrupted.
l shall be happier in his little coriel
han in all your stately gardens l shall
lave learned how to make a good man
happier there than 1 could have made
mother in palace. And an Teste-
Please let my hand go, sirl 1t is prom.
sed to MIR. Harden. ."-Hdrper's Bazaar.