Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-11-23

murmured, in passionate accents, "wha
have done to deserve such happiness.
| scarcely dared to hope that you woulc
be mine, and when | had your sweet lit
tie letter | think | was nearly delirious
with joy for time
My letter? Why, it-why, T.
You expected me before, dearesti
You thought me tardy wooer, did you
not? But have strange and wonderful
news to tell you, my beautiful one!"
Oh! Guy, stay-stay! Have you my
letter with you? Let me see the letter
please?"
Reluctantly, and with many fond en-.
dearments, he withdrew his arms and
produced the precious epistle.
She read it, and her bushes were sue.
ceeded by deadly pallor, as she discov.
cred that she must have put the notes
in the wrong envelopes, so that the let.
ter OF acceptance had reached &c. Nor.
ley, Esq, care Of Mrs. Prett, Laburnam
Cottage and the letter of rejection had
gone to e. Morley, Esq, Petterwood
Hall" Their initials and surnames be-
ing the same, had rendered such a mis-
carriage pefectly easy and undetecta-
BILE.
Unwittingly she had obeyed the die
tates Of her heart Should she now let
things be as they were? Should she say
no word, but allow her lover to remain
in blissful ignorance of her former mer-
cenary determination? No one had been
in her confidence, even her father had
been unaware of the receipt of her two
proposals. But honor and loyalty whis-
pered nay. She must tell Guy all, and
then-and then
He had become impatient, and would
have drawn her to his side again, but
she stepped back.
No, no; wait II have something
to say to you
Very low, and quivering, was her
voice.
Yes, darling, am listening, but do
not try my patience too much. You
have not given me single word of well
come yet"
Whittier she grew.
l made mistake. | did not write
this letter to you"
Did not write that letter to me,
Adrienne? Oh, Heaven! What do you
mean?"
He had sprung forward and grasped
her arm so tiercely that she WINGED with
pain. His face was CHASTITY, and his eyes
were fixed on her with wild entreaty.
l had a proposal of marriage from
MIR. George Morley, and l wrote this let
ter to accept it.
And what was my answer, then?" he
hoarsely interrupted.
tt said l was sorry, but could
not be your wife, but
He staggered back. The revulsion of
feeling was too much, and he felt stun
ned and dizzy,
For the first time since she had begun
her explanation she raised her head and
looked at him. With cry she sprang
to him.
"Qh, Guy, forgive me, forgive! 1t is
you | care for, you | love. / have been
so unhappy ever since l sent the letters.
1t was his wealth tempted me. / have
been so poor all my life, and l thought
it would be so nice to be rich; but when
| had written | saw my wickedness. l
knew | could never be happy with him,
and did not know what to do. | have
been dreading that he would come all
day, and | was afraid to see him."
She clung to him in agony; but he
was passive and silent, making no mo-
tion to hold her.
oh, Guy! Speak to me-" she moan
ed. Say you do not utterly despise
mel
Gently he disengaged her hands, and
slowly y retreated pace.
You would have thrown me over be-
cause l was poor: you would have mar
ried George because he is rich?"
Yes" she faltered, standing like
criminal before him, her bosom heaving
and her fingers tightly entwined.
You would have done violence to
your own feelings; you would have de-
ceived him by pretence of affection,
when all the time his wealth was the at
traction?"
Yes" came the pitiful answer.
And II should bave been treated
as daring, most presumptuous fellow,
who"
"Oh, no-no. l never should have
thought that. You do not know how bit
terly | repent Oh, forgive me- even if
you can no longer love me!
. oiO "oIoCu, hCi NCiy deoiouuo pICduIHS
for mercy: then, sadly, and with tagging
feet, she turned to go.
Scarcely dozen yards had she pro-
ceeded when with hasty stride or two
he had overtaken her
She shrank away.
Spare me any further reproaches.
You are cruelty just; for moment of
weakness you would mete out a lifetime
of punishment"
:" My darling"
She started and turned, and the love
she thought was forfeited forever she
knew was hers still.
est. l had telegram yesterday, sum-
moning me to London at once. l went,
and found it was from firm of lawyers.
They informed me that distant rela-
tion, from whom had not the slightest
expectations, had died and left me a
large fortune. | stayed Just to sign
few papers, then hurried back, for I was
eager to have your answer. 1t was wait
ing at my lodgings, and as soon as read
it came straight here. So you see, my
dear one, you will have a rich husband
after all.
Hush-hush! Don't-please don't!"
she begged.
Forgive me, dear one! was wrong
to speak so. But you forget that you
have not yet sealed your promise to
me"
What do you mean?"
Not one kiss have received, and l
have been very patient, | think. Sweet
heart, claim my due now"
She lifted her rosy lips, and the seal
was set to their betrOthal.