The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-24
VOLUME 3.
81 never knew, dear"

She told me no more then of her heart
history, but talked Of Stephen, of our
love, of her entire sympathy in our fu-
lure. ] think she must have written to
him, for in the evening he came again,
and we were betrothed.
knew that Stephen must return To
his business in New York in few days,
but he promised to return in a few
months time, to spend Ths nksgiving.
Marjorie gave him a cordial invitation
to be our guest. But when Marjorie left
ns alone. for the cOnfidences lovers ex-
change, plunged at once into the sub
ject that had been in my mind all day.
"Stephen." said, tell me again about
yonr cousins offer
"Why. do You want to go TO Austria
/ lia?" ho cried. in amazement.
mo, but want to know samething
about your cousin"
| "There il but little TO tell. When ]
was a mere boy he went fo Australia,
poor man. He invested a very small
capital in sheep, hiring his farm
| Grad dnally he increased his stock, bonght
| the farm, and became an enormously
ealthy man. About six months ago
he came to New York. intending to re-
main there. But lie wishes still to re-
tain some of his Australian possessions,
and Is looking for an agent, to whom he
offers far greater advantages than those
he enjoyed himself. When he fret pro
posed to Ine TO go. thought, as think
now, that | preferred to pursue the bus
iness have here. and grow rich slowly
than 10 exile myself, perhaps for years.
But had you persisted in what you said
this morning, I think tomorrow
should have accepted my cousins offer"
ais your cousin married."
mo, indeedl And yet he is as free
from bachelor eccentricities as am. He
had some disappointment in his youth,
but it never soured or embittered him.
He is a splendid fellow, one of the hand
sOmest men ! ever saw, and As noble as
he is fne-looking But why are you in
terested about him."
II will tell you when you come again.
In the meantime, will you use your in
Huence TO persuade him to come with
you?"
"Here?"
ayes, here! Bring him for Thanksgiv-
ing. Make any excuse you like, only
bring him!"
"Bmt ! do not understand" began
Stephen.
Never mind! have promised to tell
you then"
81 will bring him, if he will come"
was snre he would comeI II was
hard to carry a secret hidden from Mar
jorie's loving eyes, for an entire month,
hut fortunately we were soon engrossed
in wedding preparations. For Mar
jorie, remembering her own broken
love dream, had consented and won my
consent to Stephens wish to be married |
in January.
So we spent the late October and ear
ly November days in stitching busily |
upon the finerv that every bride wishes
to take to her new home. And az our
needles few in and ont upon the dainty
work we reserved from that in hired |
hands, Marjorie told me more of her |
own youthful life, revealing uncon-
sciously how purely unselish she had
ever been. how her whole life had |
gradually led upward to the noble self
sacrifice that left her at thirty three
still single. .-s --rF.
When Thanksgiving came, all my
nervous anxiety about our preparations
was attributed to my desire to have
Stephen pleased; hut strange a. it may
seem, 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.
lives dressed early, and fused about
Marjorie till even her quiet gentleness
was reused to opposition.
why, child, it is absurd" she said, as
dragged my favorite of all her dresses
fran the wardrobe.
81 shall look like goose in that, in
the morning."
"But we will have no chance to dress
again." urged, land this is so becom-
iDgw
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
twisted half wreath Of fine leaves with
the scarlet blossoms I had stolen from
the conservatory. The dress Marjorie
would not wear, but she chose heavy
black silk, with trimmings Of thread
lace, and let me put a scarlet bow upon
the fine lace at the throat, and coral ear
rings in the email white ears.
81 look like a fiamingo!'' she protest
ed.
"You look like a queen" ] persisted.
And she did look superbly handsome.
The folds of rich silk training upon the
ground suited we'll her tall, noble fig
ure, and her face was always the most
beautiful one ] ever saw. Her life Of
constant usefulness, charity, and intel
lectual development. had left its seal in
the depths Of her large dark eyes, the
smile npon her perfect month.
Il required some diplomacy to escape
observation when l lei our visitors into
the house, but invented an errand that
sent Marjorie to my room just as the
carriage drove up.
Stephen was accompanied by his
cousin, and my frat look into his hand
some face convinced me that memory
was busy at finding himself in Mario
ries house. gave scant greeting TO
Stephen before ! drew Arnold Halcombe
into the library. scarcely know in
what words ] told him of my debt to
Marjorie, of her confidence to me, and
my plan, Of which ] WAS careful to as.
sure him she was totally ignorant. Bat
| L. 81 r