The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-11-12

Tor an associate, made inquiries OF the
man who had taken charge Of the
Meirdoth House all the years We were ab-
sent. What he told her did not help the
matter any. .Breece Rogers, nam
Yes know him. His father was old
Squire Rogers, and, fine old gentleman
be was, with good property that he
had oamassed by hard work. But Breeze
was Wild lad from the first; and as
soon as he came Of age he grew worse, in
stead of better, ind in three years time
had spent oil his own property, and then
his father died leaving him his. That
was scarce two years ago, but the fine es.
tate is nigh used up with fast living, and
the young man is going to the bad, ma am,
rs quick IS he can 60. He is . handsome
lad, but a Wild one, will ever be ne'er'
do.well, I fear"
"And now, Rose," mamma said, after
this conversation to me, You
must discourage any further attention
from this Breeze Rogers. He is no COM
panion for you, the betrothed Of Rollin
Weatherbee. think we have been suf-
ficiently kind to him for the service he
did you. and l do hope the acquaintance,
or at least the familiar footing on which
he has placed himself, will be discon
tinued in the future. 1t is not proper
for 4 bride.elect to be associated so famil.
iarly with strange young man Of whom
she knows no good. You should tell him
Of your approaching marriage, and then
his attentions would undoubtedly cease,
il he has any sense Of honor Whatever.
The necessity was saved me. That
very afternoon my mother took the talk
upon herself, Breeze came to Meridcth
House, and found me absent, gathering
moses. He sat down in the cool porch,
and fell to chatting, in his light, careless,
easy way, with my mother. How it hap
pened do not know. hut mother managed
to speak Of my approaching marriage.
It was almost dark when reached the
avenue that led up to the Merideth
House. A little figure stood leaning
against the stone gateway, as sauntered
by, my hands full of MOSES. "Good
evening"" I said, gaily. evil you walk
up with me T.
He did not answer, save step forward,
draw my arm within his, and turn me
away from the house, down toward the
lake.
1--WE will go this way;;' he said; and l
felt the fire Of his eyes burning my cheek
to a fame. We walked so, in dreadful
silence for moment, then he spoke.
us this thing true that your mother
tells me p he asked.
'What thing p I almost whispered.
"You know!'' he answered, fiercely.
SIS it true that you are to be the wife of
a white.faced aristocrat next October ?
That you are here to make your prepare.
"Yes.'' The word came reluctantly,
and almost with gasp. He took my
hands in his and looked down upon me.
"You shall not-you shall not = he
Kissed. II love you, you are mine, now
and forever
Before could speak or cry out he had
taken me in his arms, and was raining
kisses upon my lips. was young, ro-
mantle, and impulsive. This man had
aroused strange feeling in my breast,
that now, az lay in his arms, believed
must be love. I could see the reckless
beauty Of his face as it bent above me,
and almost unconsciously l clasped my
arms about his neck, sobbing wildly, and
whispering, "Oh, if I had only known
you sooner-if it were not too late !"
ut is not too late,'' he cried, passion.
ately, straining me to his heart. "You
are mine, now and for all time. You
must be my wife! -
"But cannot l sobbed, III am bound
to another wedding.day draws
near.''
81 care nothing for that. You must
wed me, and no other. cannst give
you up"
His imperious manner, his impassioncd
earnestness, aroused my girlish admira'
ton. He seemed like some knight Of
olden romance to me, beside whom Rollin
Weathcrbse, with his patrician beauty
was completely overshadowed. We
walked long in the cleaning, he pleading,
l hesitating, almost yielding, but leaving
him at length with no definite decision
For three weeks I met Rogers clandcs.
timely each day, and listened to his words
of passionate devotion, and let him i'm.
print warm kisses upon my lips. Day
after day he urged me to fly with him ;
but, though I believed loved him, bet.
ter than had ever loved Rollin Weather.
bee, hesitated to make him any prom.
Use, and a strange fear of him held me
back from flight. Yet each day my res.
olution grew weaker, each day the man s
hold upon me, and power over me, be-
came stronger. At last came an after.
noon late IN September. 1 was to meet
Breeze that evening, and stood looking
out at the gorgeous sunset, with heart
full of contending emotions, when mamma
came into the room. "Rose," she said,
you remember Breeze Rogers, who came
here so often some time age o.
Remember him but l only sad, Eyes,
MOTHER in . very low voice.
"Well, HARDWOOD tells me a painful
thing in connection with him. She says
her husband tells her it is the neighbor-
hood talk now. It seems there is = very
lovely young girl, gardeners daughter,
Cora Smith by name, whom Breeze has
been very attentive to for some months.
The girls father says she is betrothcd to
him. At all events he has been q most
ardent lover, for year or more, and
now. without word, or any apparent
cause, he has deserted her. Has not been
near her for two months, and the girl is
very ill-calling for him constantly, but
he does not 60 near her. It is thought
she will die. She is poor, frail, childish
thing, and never knew what it was to sui.
fer before. It is very sad. What a
heartless villain he must be.''
My heart seemed to die within me. A
rush Of emotion, shame, anger. grief, mis-
placed love, and wounded nride foueht