The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1876-04-13

"My young friends. Miss Sea-
bright"
She wss OF a sunny, bright Iempera-
ment, and even tbe discomforts OF
travei lost half their annoyance in
her pleasant manner of meeting them.
in the delightful resting places
where they sOjourned for q week at
time, Mrs. Hepburn found all the
well known spots took new beauty
when shared with her new companion
whose frank delight was as pleasant
as a child's TO behold.
She dressed simply, even within
her means, but had Sn artistic taste
that made the plain garments ever
suitable and becoming, while her few
ribbons suited her young beauty bet
ter than jewels.
When she found Mrs. Hepburn
wary with long ride or hours OF
railway jolting, she could soOth her
TO the sweetest rest by singing, as she
gently smoothed the silver hair, or
caressed the withered hands.
With all her train of eriDging rela~
4 tives it was something new to the old
lady to receive loving service. She
had made no further engagement
with Edna, had held out No golden
promises, but by gentle kindness she
had won the girls warm heart to an
enthusiastic affection.
1t was no thought ofsalaIy or future
favors that Edna Seabright gave q
daughters tenderest care to the old
lady who was giving her the novel
happiness of q summer pleasure trip.
She was sorry to think of the parting
soon TO come but she meant TO prove
her gratitude by every loving device,
while she was still Mrs. Hepburn's
companion.
And Rob Harkner, in his law Office
i'm town, found no consolation in
legal studies for the keen pang of dis
appointment be had experienced
when hrs. Holt told him Miss SEA-
bright was travelling for the sum mer,
and had no permanent address.
"Aunt Maria, of, too, nobody
knows where,n the young man
thought disconsolately, $50 1 might
as well go back to town."
Which he did, thereby receiving at
the earliest moment delicately writ
ten letter from Mrs. Hepburn, dated
Boston, begging him to meet her at
1 tDC l. LlOuDC anu CoCOA ACA lOhLNs
"Odd," he muttered, "sfter running
i about all summer alone, she cannot
come from Boston without an
escort"
But with Rob, to hear his great
auntis wishes was to obey them, and
the next train found him Fastening to
Boston.
He found his aunt sitting in pri-
vate sitting-room of the hotel from
which she had written, rocking her
self lazily and musing. He judged
that her meditAtions were pleasant by
the smile upon her lips.
She gave him q cordial welcome,
and, after a little chat, she said:
"Rob, did you ever think meant
to make you my heir ?'
The color rushed to Rob's face, but
after a moment of confusion he lifted
his eyes frankly, saying:
t'I thought you would not forget me
if you made will, Aunt Maria, but
from my heart hope that it will be
long time before / know whether you
will or not"
"Thank you, Rob; L believe you. 1
think you love me-"
"I do love you," was the earnest re-
ply"
"Then hope you will grant re-
quest am about to make, that will
give me great happiness if you do"
"I should not likely refuse any re-
quest you make.n
"I have a friend, Rob, a very dear
young friend, who is one of the love
liest girls 1 ever knew. Our friendship
is of very recent date, but it is
strong and true. 1t is my dearest hope
that when you meet her you may
love her, may win her love-"
Impossible ~
"Stay q moment, Rob. I am not
quite so foolish an old woman as to
wish you to promise to marry stran-
ger. But want you to remain with
us for short time, and try 10 like my
friend, and win her to like you"
"I would be a scoundrel il l did
that"
"a scoundrel ~
ffYes. for have already given my
love and won a return"
"And did not tell me, Bob J"
"Only because l have not known
where to find you all summer"
"But your mother says your choice
has fallen upon vulgar nobody,
penniless orphan"
"My mother mas never seen Edna
1t is true she is an orphan, horn in the
almshouse, but she has been befriend-
ed and educated by gentle, refined
people, and there is no taInt of vul-
garity about her. Aunt Maria, do you
think 1 am a man to love a vulgar
woman ?'
"No, Rob; but think an almss
house orphan J"
"But gentle, lovely woman, the |
woman l love I might seem to |
agree in your place, aunty but you,
see that it would be scoundrel's part |
to court your friend, when both love
and honor bind me to Edna"
fHonor, Rob !"
ayes, for she knows my love and |
has confessed ber own. Could any |
true man desert q woman after |
that?u
"But broken engagements are every |
day events. Come, Rob, be reason
able. Draw off little by little, and let
me introduce the girl 1 wish my heir
to marry"
In an instant Rob's lips were firmly |
set, and his eyes took steady light of |
resolution. Never had Mrs. Hepburn |
heard so manly ring to his voice as
il took when he answered /:
"To please you, Aunt Maria, l |
would do anything honorable, and If
were free 1 would try to give even
my love where you dictated. But to
win your money, to place myself in
the position of your heir, would not
lift a finger, If you mean the empha-
sis on your last word for threat, it is
powerless. Let your friend wed your
heir, il you wish, but my love and
honor cannot be bought"
He rose as he spoke, as il he would
have taken his leave, but Mrs. Hep
burn put her hand upon his arm.
"Stay, Rob-" she said, 81 did not
mean to wound you; 1 should have
Judged you better than to threaten
you in any way. Forgive me. and in
token 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 q friend
of mine may claim.n
"Indeed you can am heartily at
your service and hers for a cavalier,
Auntie.n
"Will you ring the bell near you ?n
A servant answered the summons,
and Hrs. Hepburn said (:
"Go to No. 1, and ask the lady there
If she will come to me. If she is disen-
gagged. Heigho, Rob- she added, as
the servant departed, 'iyou have no
idea what a very pretty castle in the
air you have demolished"
~ am sorryl But you will forgive