The Van Buren press., 1876-03-21


time, and try to like my friend, aud win
her to like you"
81 would be a scoundrel il did
that"
scoundrell y
"Yes, for | have already given my
love, and won return"
"And did not tell me, Rob-"
"Only because | have not known
where to find you all summer
but your mother says you- choice
has fallen upon vulgar nobody, a pen
niless orphan"
My mother has never seen Edna !!
1t is true she is an orphan, born in the
alms-house but she has been bcfriended
and educated by gentle, refined people,
and there IS no taint of vulgarity about
her. Aunt Maria. do you think am .
man TO love vulgar womanf"
a No, Rob; but think an al,ns house
orplan!"
But gentle, lovely woman, the
woman | love! might seem to agree
in your place, auntie, but you see that it
would be seoundrelfs part to court
your friend, when both love and honor
bind me to Edna"
Honor, Rob Z"
Yes, for she knows my love and has
confessed her own Could any true man
desert a woman after that p
But broken engagements are every
day events Come, Rob, be reasonable.
Draw of, little, and let mo introduce the
girl | 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 it
took when he answered
To please you. Aunt Maria, l would
do anything honorable, and il were
free, 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 finger. Ii
you mean the emphasis in your last
words for a threat, it is powerless. Le.
your friend wed your heir, ii you wish,
but my love and honor. can not be
bought
He rose as he spoke, as If he would
have taken his leave, but Mrs. Hepburn
put her hand upon his arm.
"Stay, Rob- she said,"l did not
mean to wound you: should hare
judged you better than to threaten you
in any way. Forgive me, and in token
Of your forgiveness stay and dine with
me. il you will not give yeur heart to
my companion, can trust you for all
the courtesy friend ot mine may
claim
Indeed you can! l am heartily at
your service and hers for cavalier,
Auntie."
VIII 70" ring ti,v bell .s~- y."sn
| A servant answered the summons, and
Ms ll,ibun sail:
/ Go to No. /, md ask the lady there
if she will come to me, if she is Olsen.
gagged Heigho. Rob-" she added, as the
servant departed, "you have no idea
what very pretty castle in the air you
have demolished"
81 am sorry, but you will forgive me,
when you have seen my Edna. You will
not let mothers strong prejudice against
a perfect stranger influence you, will you,
Auntie 7"
81 won't promise. All l hear my
friend She has come in at another door
Come in
There was rustic Of skirts, the bed
room door opened, and in the doorway
stood tall, graceful girl, whose eyes
flashed, and whose cheeks grew rosy,
when she beheld Robert Harkner. Juts
for one moment she stood there, and
then Rob had both her hands fast in his
and was drawing her toward him. But
her face grew pale. and she drew back
from the loving arms that would have
encrclod her"
You must not" she faltered "your
mother wrote to me! l cannot be the
cause Of quarrel between you and your
mother"
You need not fear that" said Mrs.
Hepburn, dryly. 81 will undertake to
1 remove all her objections"
You! Do you know her y asked
Edna.
From her cradle, my dear, This
gentleman is my great nephew, Miss
seabright! And" she added, merrly,
"you may depend upon him for all the
courtesy friend Of mine may claim
More, more, Ednar' Rob cried
You may trust him for lifc's devo.
ton, for truest love, for entire loyalty
You have long known my love, and have
shown me your own. and Aunt Maria
will help me 10 coax you to give me
soon a husband $ right to love and pro-
tect you ali your life"
BLESS me ~ said Aunt Maria, looking
straight at the wall f" il | didn't think
that was my heir talking. l thought,
Mr. Robert Harkner, your love and hon
or could not be bought"
Nor can they. auntie, for long ago
they were freely given away. Edna, dar
/ lin, you will not send me from you,
/ now2'
NO" she answered, shyly. IL sec
now why my kind friend took me from
! the seminary. If she is pleased,
am--"
What, Edna? 2" asked Rob
For she paused, all bri hit bushes.
utterly miserable, of course she isl
said Aunt Maria. +" but she may be hun.
cry as | am. Too much talking has Civ
en- me an appetite, SO am going to dress
| for dinner, and Master Rob in ten min
utos I shall call Edna But you may
dine with us
What DDb uail in tbnco tnn ,ninut eo