Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-02-25


town"
Which he did, thereby receiving at the
earliest moment delicately-written let
ter from Mrs. Hepburn, dated Boston,
begging him to meet her at the T
House and escort her home.
odd" he muttered, latter running
about all summer alone she cannot come
from Boston without an escort"
But with Bob, to hear his great aunt's
wishes was to obey them, and the next
train found him fastening to Boston.
He found his aunt sitting in private
sitting room of the hotel from which she
had written, rocking herself laZily and
musing. He judged that her meditations
were pleasant by the smile upon her lips.
She gave him cordial welcome, and,
after little chat, she said
Rob, did you ever think / meant to
make you my heir?
The color rushed to Rob's face, but
after a moment of confusion, he lifted up
his eyes frankly, saying
thought you would not forget me if
you made will, Aunt Maria, but from
my Heart hope that it will be a long time
before | know whether you will or not"
THANK you, Rob; l believe you. l
think you love me-"
y
Then hope you will grant a request
am about to make, that will give me
great happiness ifyou do"
II should not likely refuse any request
you make"
"I have a friend, Rob, a very dear
young. friend, who is one of the loveliest
girls / ever knew. Our friendship is of
very recent date, but tits strong and true.
1t is my dearest hope that when you meet
her you may love her, may win her love. -
lmpossibeI'
"Stay n nroment, Rob- | am not quite
so foolish an old woman as to wish you to
promise to marry stranger. But want
you to remain with us for a short time
and try to like my friend, and win her to
like you"
II would be scoundrel if did that"
A scoundrell'
g Yes, for have already given my love
and won n return"
And did not tell me, Rob-"
to find you all summer"
! But your mother says your choice has
fallen upon vulgar nobody, penniless
orphan"
"My mother has never seen Ednal II
is true she is an orphan, born in the
aims house but she has been befriended
and educated by gentle, retired people, and
there is no faint of vulgarity about her
Aunt Maria, do you think | am a man IL
love vulgar woman?"
4" No, Rob; but think! an alms.housC
orphanr'
I" But gentle, lovely woman, the WON
an | love! | might seem to agree in youl
place, auntie; but you see that it would
be a scoundrels part to court your friend
when both love and honor bind me tC
Edna"
Honor, Robv'
"Yes, for she knows my love and has
confessed her own. Could any true man
desert a woman after that?"
Z" But broken engagements are every
day events. Come, Rob, be reasonable
Draw off little by little, and let me in
trodnce the girl | wish my heir TO marry.
In an instant Rob's lips were firmly set
and his eyes took steady light of Tesolu
ton Never had Mrs. Hepburn heard 81
manly ring to his voice as il took wheI
he answered:
"To please you, Aunt Maria, | would
do anything honorable, and if | were free
would try to give even my love, wher
you dictated. But to win your money, /
place myself in the position of your heiI
| would not lift finger. If you mea
the emphasis in your last words for
threat, it is pOwerless. Let your frien
wed your heir, if you wish, but my Low
and honor cannot be bought"
He rose as he spoke, as if he would hav
taken his leave, but Mrs. Hepburn pu
her hand upon his arm.
"Stay, Rob-" she said, 81 did nj
, mean to wound you; l should hav
Judged you better than TO threaten 70
in any way. Forgive me, and in token {
your forgiveness stay and dine with m,
, If you will not give your heart to my con
paniOn, can trust you for all the courtes
friend of mine may claim"
Indeed you cant | am heartily
your service and hers for IA cavalie
! auntie."
"Will you ring the bell near you ~
A servant answered the summons, an
, Mrs, Hepburn said;
: "GO to No. l, and ask the lady there
she will come to me, if she is disengaget
HeigAo, Rob-" she added, ne the serval
!, departed, "you have no idea what a veI
. pretty castle in the air you have demo
!, ished,"
y y "I am sorryl But you will forgive n
2 when you have seen my Edna. You wi
q q not let mothers strong prejudice again
. perfect stranger influence you, will yol
q auntieW
9 "I won't promise. Ahl 1 hear n
friend. She has come in at another doc
Come in"
q There was rustic of skirts, the be
y room door opened, and in the doorwi
" stood tall, graceful girl, whose ey
flashed and whose cheeks grew rosy VIII,
: she beheld Robert Harkner Just for ol
= moment she stood there, and then Rob h
" both her hands fast in his, and was dra'
. ing her toward him. But her face gre
y pale, and she drew back from the lovil
a arms that would have encircled her
N You must not,' she faltered "yo
mother wrote to mel cannot be d
# cause of quarrel between you and yo
e mother"
You need not fear that" said NJ
l. Hepburn, dryly. II will undertake
/. remove all her objections"
IS "Youl Do you know hery' ask
Ie Edna.
"From her cradle, my dear. This &c
tleman is my great nephew, Miss Sc
a bright And" she added, merTily, "yI
el may depend upon him for all the courte
n a friend of mine may claim"
"More, more, Ednap Rob cried. "Y
re may trust him for life's devotion,
5. truest love, for entire loyalty. You ha
is long known my love, and have shoV
n me your own. and Aunt Maria will he