The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-05-20


YOU can give her present"
Doctor" said Ernest Radcliffe, in los
broken tone, what present can give the "o
man as an adequate recOmpensc-,hisw woman
who has already got my hcartF'
en- What IS that you say
"Yes; love her, and it Is 10 ,ell her this
that desire an Interview
! "Ah! the case is more serious than HAD
anticipated; but you shall see Alice-l prom
Use you that
thanks
"Still, at the same time" observed his com
panion, you will permit Inc to make one
or two observations
"Cerainly"
"Do you think 1t advisable or expedent to
place your affections on the maid instead OF
the mistress"
Radcliffe was lule staggered at this 90
servatiOn.
The maid" he iterated; 81 have not seen
the mistress. And, were to do so, she could
never effacc the image of Alice from my
memory
~ begin to think that you have fallen over
head and ears IN love-" returScd the doctor.
"Let me show you some of the beauties OF
Manxbrdge House"
| Pictures By the first masters OF the Elem
lsh and Italian schools hung on the walls
the works of Rubens, Nandyke, Hans llOl.
bein, Murillo, together with host of Others
OF equal note. were prodigaily displayed
wherever Radcliffe turned his eyes. Articles
of vertu, rare bronzes, and statues Of various
descriptions. adorned the elegant salons OF
Lady Luthwaie,
GLOW say you? - inquired Bourne. as not
the mistress of this establishment worth a
passing thought, or do you value Alice so
much that
mo more" interrupted Ratcliffe. SAY
no more | will return to my room"
In less than an hour after this Alice paid a
visit TO the troubled convalescent.
II wished to see you, my dear Alice-to
see you before you left" SAID Radcliffe, who
then and there made known to her, without
hesitation, the story Of his love.
Alice listened to his eloquent discourse in
silence. When he mad concluded she spoke
in low and measured accents.
"You are an orator-of this you have given
proof. You are in addition statesman and
an author, so have been told You possess
great natural gifts. You Cannot-you must
not tell me that |, poor domestic, who am
in every way inferior, can be suited to you as
a companion through life! Oh, Mr. Ratclitte,
your eloquent tongue, the burning and pas
sionatc words you have uttered, sink deep in.
to my heart, but of what avail is this | am
not so foolish, not so foolish, as to expect you
to make so great sacrifice on my account.
1t cannot bet must not be-"
But | love youn'
His companion smiled.
do you doubt me,' he inquired.
II do not doubt your sincerity, but in this
case | very much question your prudence.
"You have saved my life owe you debt
of gratitude can never hope to repay. 1t
has been said by astute philosophers that
man is selfish animal. | acknowledge II;
am, perhaps, selfish in my love for you l
cannot bear you out Of my sight cannot
endure the thought of parting with you Alice
dear Alice. | want to make you my wife
Nay, do not turn from me If you refuse
"What! your nursc-your servant"
"Love levels all distinctions"
"You had better see my mistress, and thank
her for all the kindness she has shown. The
Lady Luthwaite is far better suited to the
gifted Mr. Radcliffe than her maid, poor
Alice"
mistress and maid ugalnw calculated
Radcliffe, stamping his foot on the floor with
something like petuance 81 tell you frank
ly that | care not for the distinction of rank,
which, TO say tina truth, every sensible person
should ignore; intrinsic worth is tar beyond
wealth or titles. Alice, my dear Alice, you
must take compassion on me. Give Inc your
word that you Will be Dinc'
"You had better see my mistress!
IL will mott positively refuse to do so till
YOU have either accepted or rejected me
You are strangely persistent"
"And you are strangely obduratc and per
verse;?
IL cannot give you my answer now, sir,
observed the maid quietly. ain three days
time we will renew this subject; during that
period however, we will strive to remain in
our relative positions Do you agree to this:'
II must perfOrce do SO since you desire it."
Farewell for the present. said Alice, as,
with graceful! courtesy, she left the apart
ment
"a most extraordinary creature" ejaculat-
ed the invalid "She does not care tor me,
suppose, and cannot find it in her heart to tell
me So
Doctor Bourne advised his patient TO re-
cruit his strength by taking certain amount
Of air and exercise daily. AT first Ratcliie
was driven out in the doctors carriage; after
this he wandered forth in company with the
man.servant, who pointed out TO him the
chief features OF Lincoln and its neighbor.
hood Il by chance any reference was made
to the mistress of Manxbridge Manor House,
Radcliffe had not caught even a passing
glimpse of her but he consoled himself with
the reflection that, under all the circum-
stances, it was perhaps fortunate.
Still he was well now, or comparatively
so; and he felt tina! it was his boundcn duty
10 pay his respects to his benefactresS.
But he hoped that there would not lie the
Slightest necessity for him to do so TIL the
three lays had expired.
One evening as he was returning alone
from a walk in the Immediate neighborhood
he was confronted in the narrow lane that led
TO the Manxbridge House by young man,
who without further preface demanded his
name IN a somewhat rude and abrupt manner.
you are "A stranger 10 me. sir ',,said Rat.
clilIc. May ask upon what authority you
make this demand: refuse 10 tell you my
name Stand aside, and let me pass!'
"You refuse! Shall tell you why; BE.
cause you are ashamed OF your name, You
have intruded into yonder house by STEALTH.
obtained an entrance there by trick! You
think don't know your machinationst'
| ins,lancp : most uubpqrallp ~ SAID