The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-05-19
VOLUME 4.

when he was by; but she would not own
even to herself the reason. OF late, too,
she half fancied that he avoided her, and
| interpreting that fact backward, felt no
phone, but just enough uncertainty
about his sentiments 20 be resolute in
concealing her own.
And so matters stood when one pleas
ant afternoon in summer Lizzie sat sew
/ ing with her mother, as she alway call
ed Mrs Ezra There was an unususl
shade of pensiveness on the yonng girls
face, and her mother watched her mar
rowIy. At length the latter::-aid:
"You seem very sober to-day. for you,
Lizzie. Has anything happened to make
you so?"
A blush and some low, inaudible
words were the only reply. Mrs. Joce-
lyn went on:
"Are you thinking of anything that
brother Robert said to you last night as
you walked in the orchard together"
"Why, mother. did you know" asked
Lizzie, looking up in surprise.
Eyes, dear; your father and / have
known all along that Robert was fond of
you. What did yon say to him'"
"What could say" replied Lizzie, in
a broken voice, "but that such thing is
impossihle?"
II don't see, dear, why it should be
impossible. You are surprised because
you have not thought about il; but when
Won come to reflect hope yonr answer
will be different. Ifyour.father and have
a wish in the world it is that you should
marry Robert"
"Oh, mother, how can 1?' exclaimed
Lizzie, looking up in astonishment.
why, not, pray? ] am snre it is not
every girl has an opportunity-a man Of
character and position, and so good and
kind as he Is. Then you know he is
we'll off; you wonld have everything
that money could buv. And | always
thought you were fond of Robert"
"Yes, mother, but not that way. He
is my uncle"
"I know Won have called him so, but
you knew all the time he was only your
second cousin There is no reason why
you should not love him in that way
a. you say, unless you like SOMEBODY
else. Is that ?"
"No-inde J, no." poor Lizzie falter-
ed hastily. t@rning away her face, now
burning with blushes. The eyes of
iark Boynton rose up before her with
glance. of reproach at this denial; but
how could she confess a love for one who
perhaps did not care for her.
81 am glad to hear it," Mrs. Ezra
went on, "for ! am sure you will in
time return Roberts affection. He loves
you dearly and you have it in your pow
er to make up to him in part for what he
suffered through your mother"
Lizzie looked mp with startled eyes.
"What do you mean, mother?" she
asked in astonishment.
Then Mrs. Ezra told all the story of
Roberts love and blighted hope, of his
delicate kindness TO poor Phoebe during
the sad years of her married life, and
how in her last distress he had snccored
her and her child. She reminded the
Young girl Of his generous and watchful
care over her childhood and grow youth.
And then, though the good woman had
no idea of taking a mean advantage, she
was yet 80 anxious to win Lizzie's con-
sent to the match she thought best for
her, that she did work upon the girls
gratitude to herself and husband.
though, ordinarily it would not have oc-
CURED to her to think whether or not
she had conferred favors on one who was
almost like her own daughter.
Their talk was long, protracted and
often renewed, and Robert added his
pleadings. He told of the years during
which he had watched her growing
beauty, loving her first for her mothers
sake, but as she bloomed into woman
hood 30 like that mother, he found him
self renewing the dreams of his youth,
daring to hope that happiness might yet
be his. The strongest, the best fortified
woman's heart must ever be more or less
moved by the evidence of a deep and
earnest affection; and poor Lizzie had
the y Gliding. plant nature of her moth
er, and Mark Boynton was away-she
had not seen him for weeks; and not
knowing that he was occupied at the
county town with the final trial of his
case, she felt herself neglected by him
Why; if he really loved her, was he
not here to say 40, and to stand by her IN
this time Of trial? So it came about
that, hopeless in the hands of her affec
tionate but Ill Judging friends. she yield
ed, and promised to marry Robert Joce
7 lyn.
1t was a day or two after she had
formally given her word, that she was
returning one evening alone from q
neighbor's She had not walked faI
: when she heard quick step behind hel
and turning saw Mark Boynion. He
greeted her gayly, and the dim lighr
} prevented his observing her pale anc
troubled face. He took her hand. drew
it through his arm with an air almos
of ownership, saying as he did'so, "thi'
: i<s'just what l wanted, Lizzie, to NEE
YOU / was going TO your house. an
snch a happy fellow tonight that
want to tell you abont it.
She made nd dan,wer; indeed, he gav'
her no time, hut went on:
al have been all week at Milford, at
tending court, and have gained my case
j. My fam ia my own at last, and am al
/, independent man"
' She murmured aome half inandibl'
> expression of pleasure at the result.
! "Lizzie." he said, stopping snddenl,
t and taking her hand in hia, "there is on
ly one thing I want to make me the hap
= piest man in Bay field. want you Il
2 come and share my home with me-"