The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-03-15

| ! on are ice as lllt ar ol Llc il9llLdlu.
And monarch Of all you survey.
So stay on the farm q while longer,
Though profits come in rather slow
Remember, you've nothing to risk, boys;
Don't be in a hurry to go!
-.=-------------------
AL LAST.
Marion Thornton stood alone in
the duh gray twilight of Novem-
ber afternoon, gazing out upon the
SNOW flakes coming down faster and
faster, touching every thing with fairy
Ike fugers, causing the whole earth
90 appear very miracle Of beauty.
A charming picture she ldade,
standing there clad in her rich silk
robes, with the red glow of the fire
falling upon her hair aud lighting
liz up until it shone with the glory
that old painters loved TO represent.
That alone had been enough To have
bpauIified anv woman, vet Marion
/ ThorntOn's hair was but one of the
many gifts with which Nature had
been 50 prodigal in her regard. The
eyes were large aud deep, and Of that
peculiar brOuze-brown so often read
of, yet not seen. just now they were
iull of weary longing which told Of
tears kept back by strong will.
So lost was she in thought that a
quiet football never reused her, and
she started, turning from the window
when addressed.
Marion, my time of probation is
at an end ventured to come to
you, feeling sure that you would eX-
pect me, even though your heart has
rot learned to echo the love that fills
my own"
He was not handsome man, yet
no one would have questioned the
fact OF his being the product OF gen
lerations of aiiluence and culture;
then there was look of power about
him that people never ignored. 1t
told you that what John Thorndy Ike
willed to do be did, perhaps not hon
oral bly,, but nevertheless surely.
He was decided uR iOmme d. So
ciete-exIravaganta and morbidly fas-
tdious in taste, and wIthal delightful
to women, because they were COM
PEELED to work hard to obtain his ap-
parent approval With men he tol-
lowed the Scriptural injunction, be-
coming all things to them that he
might gain them all.
Until six months previous he bad
never yielded to the gentle influence
of any woman. They had served to
amuse and while away some leisure
hours. Having done this, their mis-
sion was accomplished so far as be
was concerned Perhaps it bad been
decreed in the annals of Fate that his
fall should be deferred in order that
it might prove more sure.
He had net Miss Thornton at the
house of mutual friend, and from
that hour his doom had been sealed.
She bad invited him to call, having
known his sister during her school
days, and feeling q sort of interest in
him through the bond of association.
He had availed himself of her cuur-
teous invitation in less than week;
after that be sought her constantly
There was a new and wonderful
satisfaction in being in her presence,
in listening to her bright cheering
words, in watching her every move
ment. He had all the world from
which to- choose, but this calm, self
possessed, beautiful woman rested
him. aud she alone.
When the summer came be follow
ed her to Newport, and one evening
when be chauced to come upon her
Unexpectedly, as she sat in the deep
mbrasure of a window at the Ocean
House, be told her that old, yet ever
new story, and then awaited her an
swer.
ia truth be never questioned what
that answer would be-there was no
doubt iu bis mind. Was be rot John
Thorudyke, the man who had been
fattered aud schemed for, and with
out whom society was desoie
Miss Thornton listened to bis savow-
al very quietly, indeed, that it boded
no good to him; she may have be-
come trifle paler-but she never
bad much color-so who can say
that there was even a shadow Of o
change?
At last she spoke, regretfully, al
most solemnly.
mir Thorndyke, you have paid
me the highest compliment man
can offer woman Believe me that
am not unmindfuI of it, nor forget
ful Of the many pleasant hours We
have passed together Still | know
that cannot make you happy, aud
herefure must not become your
wife"
She rose to go, but be detained her
With:
II will wait-I have been too ab-
rupt. Give me six months in which
to hope, aud then | will accept your
hnal decision; meanwhile grant me
the benefit of the doubt"
Out of pity against her better judg-
ment, she had consented to bis propc-
sition.
How many women have done the
same, thus investing in a treasury Of ,
sorrow with an ever increasing
amount Of capital
TIE days and weeks of John
Thorndy ke's time of waiting bad writ
ten themselves out, and he bad come,
as he had said, for the word which !
was to bind them by an indissoluble
tie, or separate their Ives forever. {
Marion had talked much with her
own heart; she had viewed the mat {,
ter from every possible standpoint ,