Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-10-27
With weary sigh, Maude threw her

With weary sigh, Maude threw her
self into au armchair.
"Oh. Lucy, am 40 tired--not o
our party. but the people-'almost o
life I"
Her face was grieved and bitter in it'
expression. ....
"What not the onvied Miss Camp
bell talking in that strain, 80 melan
cholic and forlorn 2" and Lucy leaned
her sun.bright head against Maude's
shoulder.
"What nonsense And yet, Lucy,
dear, when I see you, so full of hope,
and joy, and animation, I think to my.
self, she has all the things to live for,
none" " IT wv NtN" ~. ''.''
She spoke very bitterly.
You none, beautiful Maude?"
eyes, have cast away all that I ever
did--ever will care for. Lucy, you little
think that I rejected Justin st. John
last October
"No, Maude |"
~ did. Irepeat it. I loved him
Oh, Father in heaven, how loved him
But, Lucy, I must marry rich mani
must barter all hold dear for the love
of ease that governs me with q power
that cannot Withstand! Lucy, hate
him I loathe him ! despise him /,
But I am going to accept John Jameson
when he proffers me his hand, and all
because that hand offers me a fortune.
He will die he must die! and then
who knows what his rich young widow
can do?"
There was fearful tension in her
voice--a bright glitter in her eyes that
frightened timid Lucy. .sl
"Maude, You must not. You are
wicked to talk so. If you have spurned
Mr.. st. John, it was your own fault. If
you marry Mr.. Jameson, you must learn
to respect-to love him |"
"Never! the childish dotard I
Maude Campbell, to fall in love with
John Jameson! It is his fortune, Lucyi"
With the same steely ring in her
tones, she returned to the saloon.
Half an hour later Mr.. Jameson, with
all the gallantry of youth Of twenty,
begged her to grant him an interview
the next morning. ....,-.
She allowed it, and the pleasure seek
ers retired to their homes. =
Arrayed in her tasty morning robe,
Maude proceeded to the parlor to greet
her lover. .'' ..t'''''+
cit has come," she thought, as de-
scending the stairs she caught o glimpse
OF his bowed form. as he chatted with
Lucy Mordaunt, who sat sketching by
the window. .rF ;esG-sEf
AS Maude entsred the door, Lucy
excused herself and went
into the inner parlor. ..... ...l
"Miss Cambell- Miss Maude, if may
presume to say it," and Mr.. Jameson
made his most delightful salaam-"I
need hardly mention the object of my
call this morning. Ny intention was to
offer you my heart, my hand, my name
and my fortune" '-."
He paused, and, if Maude noticed the
Of his words, she only
bowed respectfully
But, Miss Maude, 80 old dotard as
I, whom you loathe, hate, despise,
would be very presumptuous to do it.
Miss Maude, announce the
object Of my call to be an errand of
grateful thanks to you
that, when you discussed this subject SO
freely to Miss Mordaunt last evening in
the library, you spoke sufficiently loud
for me, in the next room. to get the
benefit Of it. l rejoice, though my dream
is over here his voice trembled, in
spite OF himself-"I awoke before it was
too late." Hr.
He bowed adieu, and was gone ere
Maude in her speechless surprise and
was aware of his departure.
With cry Of pain and rage, she ran
10 the window to see him descending the
steps.
"My dream, too, is over. Fate seems
determined to deny me wealth, SO I'll
make the best of it. can obtain love,
though" And her love came quicker,
.s she thought of Justin st. John. "He
owes me still, know he does. Justin,
larling, you shall be mine yet !"
Her face beaming with delightful
nope, Maude stepped to the door of the
adjoining parlor. Voices arrested her at
ention, and she stopped. The door was
sial; she could listen; she could hear;
'he could see; she did see.
"Lucy, I know it had only been
couple Of months since kaude rejected
ny suit. But have learned to be
thankful for my escape from her mer-
.enary hands. have learned to forget
Ter; and, Lucy, my own true little girl,
have learned to love you as 1 never
owed Maude Campbell. Darling, may
place this ring on your finger-may I
'all you mine-my very own, for ever2"
"Your very own, for ever, Justin st.
John |"
He silently placed a sparkling jewel
,ver her plump little finger.
"They are diamonds, my pet, of the
,urest water. am not Justin st. John,
he poor man, though as poor man I
lave won my prize. lam Justin st. John,
he millionaire, whose money can outbuy |
Hr. Jameson twice over.
Maude Campbell heard the words. |
Her face grew deadly pale, and, with a
hiver that shook her heartstrings and a
Ugh that almost carried away er breath,
he turned silently away. lone woman.
We cut from an exchange the follow
ng statement: There is not now living |