New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-13

Bovnton; but, maiden like, she would not
admit the idea of love. She knew that she
IVES perfectly happy only when he was BY;
but abe would not own even to herself the
| reason. OF late. too, che half fsncied that
! he avoided her; and, interpreting that isct
backward, felt not pique. but just enough
| uncertainty about his sentiments to De reso-
| lutte in concesling her OWL.
And 60 matters stood when one pleasant
| afternoon in GUNNER Lizzie sat sewing with
| her mother, as she always called Mrs.. Ezra.
| There Was an unusual shade OF pensiveness
| on the Young girls face, and her mot0es
watched her narrowly. At length the latter
| said:
"You eeem very sober today for you,
| Lizzie. Has anything happened to make
| You so9'
| A b!ush and some low, inaudible words
! were the only reply. Mrs. Jocelyn went
"Are you thinking Of anything that
| brother Robert said to you last night ss
| YOU walked through the orchard toge:hers"
"Wby, mother, did You knows" asked
Lizzie, looking up in surprise.
| Yes, dear; your father and l have known
| all along that Robert was fond Of you.
What did you say to nim!'
What could / say replied Lizzie in q
| broken voice, ''but that such thing was
| impossible
II dom: zee, dear, Why it should be i'm
possible. You are surprised because yon
have not thought about it; but when you
come to reflect hope your answer will be
different. If your father and have wish
| in the world, it is that you should marry
Robert
| "Oh, mother, how can IF' exclaimed
| Lizz.e looking up in astoEiehment
| why not, pray! / am sure it is not
| every girl has euch an opportunity-a man
! Of character and position, and go good and
kind as ne ie. Then y0u know he 10 well
off: you would have everything that money
could buy. And always thought you were
| fond Of Robert"
Eyes. mother; but not that way. He is
my uncle"
Il know you have called him 60, but you
knew all the time he was only your second
cousin. There is NO reason Why you should
not love him IN that way az you say. I'M.
lese you Like somebody else. Is that it I"
"Ne-indeed, no. poor Lizzie faltered
hastily, turning away her face, now burn.
ing with bushes. The eyee of Mark Boyn-
ton rose up before her with . glance Of re-
proach at this denial; but how could che
confess love for one who perhaps did not
care for hera
liam glad to hear it," Mrs Ezra went
On, flor ] am sure you will in time return
Roberts affection. He loves you dearly,
and you have it in your power to make up
to him in part tor what he suffered through
your mother"
Lizzie looked up with startled eyes.
"What do you mean, Mocher?" she asked in
astonishment.
Then Mrs. Ezra told al the story of Rob-
ert's love and blighted nope. Of his del icate
kindness to poor Phoebe during the sad
years Of her married life, and how in her
l:.A- L., L. In~
child. She reminded the young girl OF his
generous and wstchful care over her own
childhood and growing youth. And then,
though the good woman had no idea Of
taking & mean advantage. she was yet 80
snxicus to win L:zzie's consent to the
match she thought best for her that she did
not work upon the girls gratitude to he1-
self and husband, though ordinarily it
would not have occurred TO her to think
one who was almost like her own daughter.
Their talk was long, prOtracted, and often
renewed, and Robert added HE pleadinge.
He told. OF the years during which he had
watched her growing beauty, loving her
first for her mothers sake, but as che
blOomed into wOnanhoOd 60 like that
mother, he found himself renewing the
dreams Of his youth, daring to hope that
happiness might yet be his. The strongest,
the best fortified womar's heart must ever
be more OF less moved by the evidence OF 8
deep aud earnest affection; and poor Lizzie
had the yielding, plant nature Of her
mother. And Mark Boynton was away
she had not seen Linn for weeks; and not
knowing that he was occupied at the county
town with the final trial Of mis- case, she felt
herself neglected by him. Why, if he really
stand by her in this time of trial! So it
came about that, helpless in the hands of
her affecrionate but illjudging friends, che
yielded, and promised to marry Robert
Jocelyn.
Itwss day or two after she had formal.
~ given her word, that she was returning
one evening alone from q neighbor's. She
had not walked far when che heard q quick
step behind her, and turning saw Mark
Boynton. he greeted her gayly. and the
dim light prevented his observing her pale
and troubled face. He took her hand and
drew it through his arm with an air almost
Of ownership, saying az he did SO:
This Was Just what wanted, Lizzie-to
meet you. / was going to your house.
am such happy fellow tonight that want
to tell yOu about it,"
She made no answer; indeed, he gave her
no time. but went OF:
Il have been eli the week at Milford, at
tending court, and have gained my case.
Ny farm is my own at last, and am an in
dependent man.
She murMured some have inaudible ex-
preston of pleasure at this result.
Lizzie" he said, stopping suddenly and
taking her hand in his, there is only one
thing want now to make me the happieet
man in Byfeld. ] want you to come and
share my home with me-"
Here Lizzie drew her hand hastily from
him, and said in frightened tone, Don't
don't, Mark! You must lot talk to me 60"
what do you mean. Lizzie! Why may
l not tell you that love you better than
all the world? think you must have known |
it without my tellinga"
Poor Lizzie burst into q passion of tears,
but could not speak. Mark drew her gently |
out Of the path and seated her upon stone. |
placing himself beside her. He waited !
some minutes for her to answer, but she |
silent. "Dear Lizzie" he said at |
last, lyon must know that / love you. |
Can be mistaken in thinking you care for |
mew
He drew away the hands with which she |
had covered her face, and begged her to |
speak to him. "Oh. Mark" she gasped out |
in kind Of depreciation, II have promised |
to marry Robert Jocelyn."
Mark Boynton flung away the hands he |
h heid ta with an angry gesture and sprang to-
you are NOT, you can not be in earnest.H
No answer from Lizzie. Her voice was /
choked with sobs. Poor Mark broke out in |
bitter reproaches. He accused her of cruel
trifling with him, and declared his belief |
that che had accepted Jocelyn because he
was the richer man, and his own case a
doubtful one. Lizzie had but one answer
to his reproaches; she cried as if her heart
were broken; and the strong, tender hearted
fellow soon grew pitiful Of her grief, and
soothed her, and begged forgiveness for his
harshnees. After awhile he drew from her
the whole story. He understood the pres