The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-05

Her musical education WAS very tho'ouS"
for one so young, and she was very c"nscleh'
tious in the discharge of all her duties.
Not too heavily taxed, she 0joyed her IN
tervas of rest and leisure the more that she
earned them faithfully.
| And if she thought OF her old life, 1t was
not regretiully.
The memory of Percy Bonnairc, whilst 1t
never haunted her. was yet one of the f. up
on which her thoughts dwelt plcasurably.
She did not regret that she had refused him
but she thought often of many pleasant hours
when by his own winsomc courtesy ana IN
ltcresting conversation, he had wooed her 10
Iforgetfulness of her own stern determinations
! think he was IN her thoughts one ra"
March day. when she started for her daily
walk she made a health.preserving duty
| Wrapped in her long, warm shawl OF rich
colors, with u scarlet birds wing in her black
hat she looked like an Eastern princess,
She walked we'll, with springing step, ano
erect, graceful figure, and Percy Bonnalrc
seeing her before she suspected his presence,
wondered anew at her beauty.
i The cold air had brought vivid roses TO her
CHEEKS, lighting up the clear olive OF her
complexion, and her eyes were full OF the
| light of intellect with the consent OF good
conscience.
"She has lost that worried expression
have so often observed" her lover thought,
"but she carries herself as proudly as ever
Then he was doffing his hat as the great
dark eyes gave token Of glad recognition
1t was glad!
Unprepared, Ne,tie forgot to school her
face, and never in crowded saloon had Percy
met such cordial greeting, such true pleas
urc IN emile and voice.
He turned his steps into the path she trod,
ana they wandered down the lanes, meeting
only an occasional vllager, and talking with
hearty enjoyment Of the world 50 far from
them.
A week later, Ncttic wondered what on
earth Mr.. Bonnaire found TO detain him at
He had conjurcd up fiction OF purchasing
some land; but whatever his other engage
ments might be, he was invariably somewhere
on the route of Nettie's daily walk.
ale can't mean to propose to me again
the girl thought Ills mother would faint
with horror il he married music teacher. v
And vet Netie's heart trembed as she
thought of again rejecting his suit.
She wished he would 60 away after another
week passed but before the month was over,
she knew that when he did 60, he would leave
a bitter void IN Der heart
I He had broken down the barriers OF her
pride, and she knew she loved him.
! 1t was characteristic of her nature that
she made no attempt at selfdeception
Il As frankly as she had once owned her Tx
; ing, she now looked her love in the face.
u She covered it with stern expression when
Percy Bonnaire, in the cool lane where he
met her, in April fitiul sunshine, renewed
his proposal.
She heard him, with her face locked fast in
! a cold determination, by mighty effort OF
:, will
But her lover noticed that her face was
ashy white and the little hands locked tight
ly together.
Il had hoped she said, quidly, that you
= would spare me the pain of this-that you
l were only nv friend, not my lover"
Loving you once, means lovisg you ever
he replied, and there was no mere compli
+ ment in his grave, earnest voice
81 KNOW" he continued, why you once
! met a similar proposal by a refusal. Nor
tunately for ny love, | am wealthy, and you
S are proud But, Nettie, is 1t not stralning
i pride too greatly to shipwreck tho happiness
of two lives for its sake? | lore you with
/ my whole heart, and know my wealth, II it
r wclghs ia your resolution, tu:ns the scale
i against me, not for me. | want no unwilling
bride. But If you loye me, Nettic, do not
turn from me Look into my eyes. Tell me
C YOU do not love me, and will cave you, and
. carry the burden of my sore heart where 1t
will never grieve you
Nettic looked, AZ she was bdden, into the
D large dark eyes, full Of true love and manly
pleading.
Twice her lips moved to fame the he her
pride dictated.
Then her eyes dropped, herllps trcmbled,
- and the soft flush crept to hcrround cheeks
y II cannot lie to You, Percy she said, In a
Il low, clear voice, II do love you"
. Her pride was no defence after that con
- tessOn.
e In vain she argued and pleaded her power.
ty, his mothers opposition.
l. He would not have a grand Wedding, either,
II but in the quiet village LED his bride to
J church.
/ And Aunt Belle pettishly declares that she
l. "does not see what Nettie wnt into heroics
e for and made such n fuss, WIN OF course she
We intended TO marry Percy Bonairc from the
IL first"
y The proud. loving husband the tender faith
full wife, however, know better; and there Is
no cloud OF distrust upon thtpurc content oil
* their lives.
g For Percy knows well tint 1t was by the
oi power of love, and love ahnc, he won his
bride, and not because he WIS IN society eyes
VI iou ranl match ~