The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-04-20


torn as yours is to-day. The basest in
gratitude seemed to me involved in my
marriage, necessitated divided duty,
even if my husband would consent to
live here. That, too, hesitated to ask
for, as you know the life here will Bet
ter suit retired elderly man or woman
than a young, ambitious aspirant for the
worlds honors and profits. So made
my choice"
"But your choice was to remain with
your uncle"
"Yes, dear. remained here. Arnold
Halcombe, the noblest man ever knew,
did not make my duty harder by anger
at his dismissal. Very sadly he admitted
the necessity of the case, and left me.
Even then he would have corresponded
with me, have held himself bound; but
that would not permit. My uncle's
life was not in danger, and / would not
let Arnold waste the best years of his
manhood, without wife or home. So we
bade each other farewell, and few
months later heard that my lover had
joined party of men going to Austria
lia."
"And have you never heard of him
since2"
"Never My uncle lived six years.
When 1 was most desolate, after his
death, found you. You have been my
comfort for eight long years; but L do
not mean to tie your young life down to
mine. When die, hope to leave you
happy in your own home. Stephen
knows this, DEAR"
I" "Majorie," 1 whispered, "did Arnold
Halcombe marry 2"
never knew, dear"
| "But you-do you still love him2"
Yes, dear, shall love him while 1
live !''
She told me no more then of her heart
history, but talked of Stephen, of our
love, of her entire sympathy in our
future. think she must have written
to him, for in the evening he came again,
and we were betrothed.
L knew that Stephen must return to
his business in few days, but he prom
ised to return in month time.
Marjorie gave him cordial invitation
to be our guest. But when Marjorie
left us alone for the condolences lovers
exchange, L plunged at once into the
subject that had been in my mind all
day.
"Stephen," said, "tell me again
about your cousins offer"
"Why, do you want to go to Austria
liza 7" he cried, in amazement.
"No, but want to know something
about your cousin"
"There is but little to tell When 1
was mere boy he went to Australia,
| poor man. He invested very small
capital in sheep, hiring his farm. BY
| lnnrpac hn inn h;o cfp ,olf
the farm, and became an enormously
wealthy man. About six months ago he
came to London, intending to remain
here. But he wishes still to retain some
OF his Australian possessions, and is
looking for an agent, to whom he offers
far greater advantages than those he en-
ioyed himself. When he first proposed
to me to go, 1 thought as 1 think now,
that preferred to pursue the business
have here, and grow rich slowly, than
to exile myself perhaps for years. But
had you persisted in what you said this
morning, L think tomorrow I should
have accepted my Cousins offer"
" Is your cousin married."
"No, indeed And yet he is as free
from bachelor eccentricities as l am. He
had some disappointment in his youth,
and it never soured or imbittered him.
He is splendid fellow, one of the hand
soonest men ever saw, and as noble as
he is fine-looking. But why are you in
terested about him 2"
/" 1 will tell you when you come again.
In the meantime, will you use your in
fuence to persuade him to come with
you 2"
"Here ?"
"Yes, here. Bring him with you.
Make any excuse you like, only bring
him !"
"But 1 do not understand" began
Stephen.
"Never mind. 1 have promised to
tell you then"
81 will bring him, if he will come. Z"
l was sure he would come 1t was
hard to carry secret hidden from Mar
| jorie's loving eyes for an entire month :
but, fortunately, we were soon engrossed
in wedding preperations-fo Marjorie,
remembering her own broken love-
dream, had consented and won my con-
sent to Stephens wish to be married in
January.
So we spent the late October and early
November days in stitching busily upon
the finery that every bride wishes to
take to her new home. And as our
needles flew in and out upon the dainty
work we reserved from that in hired
hands, Marjorie told me more of her
own youthful life, revealing unconscious
ly how purely unselfsh she had ever
been, how her whole life had gradually
led upward to the noble self-sacrifce
that left her at thirty-three still single.
When the day came, all my nervous
anxiety about our preparations was at
tributed to my desire to have Stephen
pleased; but, strange as it may seem, 1
was not thinking of Stephen. He was
to come on the train due at half-past
eleven, and the carriage was sent to the
station to meet him.
was dressed early, and fused about
Marjorie till even her quiet gentleness
was reused to opposition.
"Why, child, it is absurd" she said,
as 1 dragged nay favorite of all her
dresses from the wardrobe. 81 shall
look like goose in that in the morn
ing p
But we will have no chance to dress
again" urged, Sand this is SO becom-
ing"
had pulled her hair down, and was
twining the magnificent raven lengths
into the most becoming coiffure my skill
could compass. In the glossy braids 1
twisted half wreath of fine leaves with
the scarlet blossoms had taken from
the conservatory. The dress Marjorie
would not wear, but she chose a heavy