Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-04-05

In an instant Robs lips were firm
ly set, and bis eyes took steady ligh'
of resolution. Never had Mrs Hep
burn heard SO manly a ring to his voice
as it took when he answered
"To please you, Aunt Maria, I would
do anything honorable, and i'll were
free, | would try to give even my love
where you dictate. But to win YOU
money, 10 place myself IN the position
of your heir, | would not lift a finger
If you mean the emphasis in your last
words for threat, it is powerless
Let your friend wed your heir, if you
wish, but my love and honor canno.
be bought"
He rose as he spoke, as If he would
have taken his leave, but Mrs. Hep
burn put her hand upon his arm.
"Stay, Rob-" she said, | did not
mean to wound you +; | should have
judged you better than to threaten you
In any way. Forgive me, and in to-
ken 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 at
your service and hers for cavalier,
auntie."
"Will you ring the bell near you p
a servant answered the summons,
and Mrs Hepburn said
$50 to No. l, and ask the lady there
if she will come to me, it she is Olsen
gagged. Heigho, Rob- she added, as
the servant departed, ''you have no i
dea what very pretty castle you have
demolished"
II am sorry But you will forgive me
when YOU have seen my Edna, You
will not let mothers strong prejudice
against perfect stranger influence you
will you, auntie 2
81 won't promise. All hear my
friend. She has come in at another
door. Come in"
There was a rustic Of skirts, the bed.
room door opened, and in the door
way stood tall, graceful girl, whose
cheeks grew rosy when she beheld
Robert Harkner. Just for one mo-
ment she stood there, and then Rob
had both her hands in his, and was
drawing her towards him. But her
face grew grew pale, and she drew
back from the loving arms that would
have enciicled her.
"You must not" she faltered "your
mother wrote to me | cannot be
the cause Of quarrel between you
and your mother
"You need not fear that, said Mrs.
Hepburn, dryly. l will undertake to
remove all her objections"
"You! Do you know her?' asked
Edna.
"From her cradle, my dear. This
gentleman is my great nephew, Miss
Seabright And" she added, merrily,
"you may depend upon him for all the
courtesy friend of mine may claim"
"More, more, Edna y Rob cried
"You may trust him fol life's devo,
ton, for truest love, for entire loyalty,
You have long known my love, and
have shown me your own, and Aunt
Maria will help me to coax you to
give me soon q hush lnd's right to love
and protect you all your life
"Bless me" said Auntie Maria, look
ing straight at the wall, eff l did not
think that was my heir talking |
thought, Robert Hackner, your love
and honor could not be bought
Nor can they, Auntie, for long ago
they were freely given away. Edna,
darling, you will not send me from
you~now9"
No." she answered, shyly. 81 see
now why my kind friend took me
from the seminary, 1t she is pleased
| am
"What, Edna?" asked Rob.
For she paused, all bright blushes.
"Utterly miserable, of course she is,
said Aunt Maria, 'but she may be
hungry, as l am. Too much talking
has given me an appetite, so | am a
going to dress for dinner, and, Master
Rob, in ten minutes | shall call Edna.
But you may dine with US.
What Rob said in these ten minutes
you may guess, but certain it is that
Edna never left Mrs. Hepburn, until
there was grand wedding at that la
dys house, when Miss Seabright be.