Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-11-09

u1oule,
"Do try and be lively" said Aunt.
"Don't be doll. Can't you see that
you have the finest chance in the
world? Why, he is sixty.two, has
heart lisease, and next year is his
grand Climactic Half a million |
What diamonds" This tune was
played uutil her life became bur-
den.
At last she gave nominal con-
sent, but no time was fixed.
"Early next season." said aunt,
decisiveIys "Every thing can be got
ready by then. There may be some
thing in you, Charlotte, after all.
Give me a kiss"
This nominal or half-expressed
consent gave her a respite Wilkins
left her. 1t was long miserable
summer. Her heart was dull ache
ing void she walked about the fields
and lanes feeling herself living lie.
Toward autumn, Brian was at the
Court again. Must the truth be told !?
A guilty thrill ofpieasure ran through
her. He had not called yet. One
morning Rose asked to see her mis-
tress in private With many bushes
she stammered out the truth-she
was to be married to the head-carter
at the Court, and the pair were to
accompany Air. Brian to Natal
ITO Natal I" said Charlotte, with
a sinking feeling at her heart.
eyes, ma'am. They say be be
tired o. Luunun, and have left bis
place."
81 shall be utterly Alone thrught
Charlotte. "Perhaps it will be best
for us both. | have sacrificed every
thing to society, and now"
She broke down in private. But
when Brian called she was cslm
enough. On his part he endeayored
to hide his embarrassment by an af-
fected volatility.
81 must congratulate you," he said.
"You have a splendid settlement
you will be envied. At all events |
shall have good shooting in Africa. l
was weary to death doing nothing in
town-no prospect, no hope. Ii is
better to be a man, even if one does
lose position. My hands are as soft
as girls now; in few months they
will harden. | nave f1,500 of my
own-Martin lends me another 91,-
500. A long sea voyage Yes, it IS.
| must apologize for taking your
Rose; but with my inexperience,
without that honest COUPLE" &c.
1t somehow happened that pend
ing Bran's depar ture, which was to
take place II October, Charlotte and
be were much together in the fields.
Perhaps it was the feeling that it
was quite safe now one was going
thousands of miles away, and the
other to be married. They fingered
in the lanes and among the barley,
till at last poor Martin, who saw this,
grew Jealous. A suspicion forced
itself upon him that he had been sold;
that in trusting his secret to Brian
he had been betrayed. In his anger
he went straight to the Rev. Talbot,
and bluntly said something, which
resulted in that gentleman strictly
ordering Charlotte seeing Brian no
more. Weak, and at the same time
selfish TO degree, ho fixed his hopes
of future qualification upon the con-
sumation of the match with Wilkins.
He rudely repulsed Brian from the
Rectory, and kept watch himself
over Coarlotte.
Mr.. Martin had no sooner succeed.
ed in this underhand proceeding than
his naturally honest and generous
nature revolted, and his disturbed
state of mind showed itself in peev-
ish irritation, till Brian at length in
sisted upon an explanation, and had
it.
"Msrtin," eaid he, "You have
grievousIy wronged me. 1 did your
message faithfully. 1t is true | loved
Charlotte enough at one time to pro-
pose to her; but she had the sense
to see that my income was incompe-
tent to maintain suitable establish
ment, and since then-well, since
then We have met as friends oaly,
and shall soon meet no more"
"Do you mean to say that is oil
the reason you did not marry ?"
"And sufficient reason. A poor
fellow like me has no right to have
feelings. They are luxury reserved
for tho rich. But is it well with us
That is better-let us talk of Africa"
Martin, however, was not so easily
put aside. He understood now that
Charlotte and Brian were in truth
devoted to each other, but controlled
their affection.
at is absurd" he thought "more
it is unnatural and wrong. As / can
not have Der, he shall, if it can be
managed. Why should she not go
with aim to Natal? In Africa they
need not mind being out of the sea-
son."
He argued with Brian; persuaded
him to make another effort. At
the same time Rose, the milk-maid,
whose time of service expired at the
Rectory in week. with true fcmi-
nine love of intrigue, was painting
in co'ors as bold as she dared, the
misery of Mr.. Brian, who was going
thousands of miles away from the
only one he loved, and was so rest
less and unhappy.
'He walks about the garden half
the night" she said "and always
where be can see your window-no
offence, ma'am please don't be an
CRY with me"
Charlotte sighed. The prospect
of splendid diamonds did not excite
her as it ought to have done; the
thought of Brian's departure did.
Her mind wandered across the sea.
"There." she thought, ,'there is room
enough. and none of these miserable
restrictions that tie us down and
make US slaves of society"
Rose was to be married on the
Wednesday before the ship sailed
she asked her mistress to come to
her mothers cottage and see "her