American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-03-04

her own. Could any true man
desert woman after thatP"
s'But broken engagements are every
day events. Come, Rob, be reasonable.
Draw off little by little, and let me in
troduce the girl I wish'my heir to mar
ry."
In an instant Rob's lips were firmly
set, and his eyes took steady light of
resolution. Never had Mrs. Hepburn
heard so manly a ring to his voice as it
took when he answered:
$40 please you, Aunt Maria, would
do any thing honorable, and If l were
free, wonld try TO give even my love,
where you dictated. But to win your
money, to place myself in the position
of Your heir, l would not lift finger.
If you mean the emphasis in your last
words for a threat, it is powerless. Let
your friend wed your heir, if you wish,
but my love and honor can not be
bought"
He rose as he spoke, as If he would
have taken his leave, but Mrs. Hepburn
put her hand upon his arm.
"Stay, Rob-" she said, 81 did not
mean to wound you; l should have
Judged you better than to threaten you
in any way. Forgive me, and in token
of your forgiveness stay and dine with
me. If you will not give your heart to
my companion, can trust you for all
the courtesy a friend of mine may
claim"
"Indeed you can! / am heartily al
your service and hers for cavalier,
Auntie.';
"Will you ring the bell near you?"
A servant answered the summons, land
Mrs. Hepburn said:
$50 to No. 1, and ask the lady there
if she will come to me, if she is olsen
gagged. Heigho, Rob- she added, a,
the servant departed, "you have no ide:
what a very pretty castle in the air yor
have demolished
81 am sorry! But you will forgive
me when you have seen my Edna. Yot
will not let mothers strong prejudic'
against aperfect stranger influence you
will you, Auntie?"
81 won't promise. All! l hear my
friend. She has come in at anothel
door Come in!"
There was rustic of skirts, the bed
room door opened, and in the doorwa,
stood tall, graceful girl, whose eye
a..
when she beheld Robert Harkner. jus
for one moment she stood there, ant
then Rob had both her hands fast in his
and was drawing her toward him. Blu
her face grew pale, and she drew bacl
from the loving arms that would hav'
encircled her.
You must not" she faltered; s'you
mother wrote to mel l cannot be the
cause of a quarrel between you ant
your mother"
You need not fear that" said Mrs
Hepburn, dryly. 81 will undertake t.
remove all her objections.
"You! Do you know herr" aske'
Edna.
"From her cradle, my dear. Thi
gentleman is my great-nephew, Mis-
Seabright! And" she added, merrily
"you may depend upon him for all tn
courtesy friend of milne may claim.
"More, more, Edna!" Rob cried
You may trust him for a life's devo
ton, for trtiest love, for entire loyalty
You have long known my love, AM
have shown me your own, and Aun
Maria will help me to coax you to Civ
me soon husbands right to love ant
protect you all your life"
"Bless me-" said Aunt Maria, look
ing straight at the wall, elf 1 did no
think that was my heir talking.
thought, Mr.. Robert Harkner, your low
and honor could not be bought
"Nor can they, auntie, for long ag
they were freely given away. Edna
darling, you will not send me from 20
now?"
"Ne," she answered, shyly. al Sc
now why my kind friend took me fror
the seminary. If she is pleased,
am
"What, Edna?" asked Rob.
For she paused, all bright bushes.
"Utterly miserable, of course she is,
said Aunt Maria, but she may be hur
CRY, as I am. Too much talking ha
given me an appetite, so l am going
dress for dinner, and, Master Rob, i
ten minutes shall call Edna. But yo
may dine with u.s."
What Rob said in these ten minute
you may guess, but certain it is tina
Edna never left Mrs. Hepburn unit
there was grand wedding at tina
laay's house, when Miss Seabright be
came the bride of Robert Harkner.
And Mrs. Harkner smiled graciousl
upon her daughter-in-law, who is, sh
tells her friends, "such a lovely won
an, and such favorite with dear Aun
Maria, who met with her in her summe
travels, and was perfectly charmed wit
| her."
And society asks no further informa
ton regarding Mrs. Hepburn's com
panion.
An Electric. Railway Brake.