The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-03-24


1t was in the second year of Mr.. Nays
pastorage that first seemed to see the
prophecy which my heart had uttered
approach near completion. There were
many interviews between the two
many hurriedly snatched words in the
hall when Annie waited on him to the
door-many glances OF intelligence,
which they thought unseen by me-.
Trembling for The loss of my sole CON-
panion, and feeling that 1 could never
replace that loss, l had watched all
these signs, and was satisfied that they
meant something. Mr.. Stanton, too, fed
my fear with his continually repeated
praises of the two, and their harmoni-
Gus characters.
At last, it seemed as if the climax
was approaching. Mr.. May called one
day when Annie was purposely absent,
as | believed. He spoke teelingIy OF
his own homeless way of living-trying
to make home In another MANS dwell
ing-of his capacity tor domestic enjoy
me nts, and his need OF them as an offset
| to the severe study he practiced.
"And, pray, why have you never mar
| ried, MIR. Mayp l said, provoked at the
mau for not choosing to secure to him.
self the home he had SO coveted.
He smiled; then said, graYely:
"Because, Miss Morton, never found
my counterpart. until l came to Gull
ford. l think L have found her here
but perhaps she will not think SO; ana
| therefore have l come to get the prob
lem solved by one who 1 think can solve
| it for me-"
felt that my voice had a sharp, me-
| tallic ring, as l exclaimed hastily:
|
May. You would do well to consult The
lady herself"
A look Of surprise stopped nae from
saying more. l could not guess the
meaning OF that puzzled glance.
| "Miss Morton, Annie has told me that
l might hope Tor return for my atfec-
tons"
"rhen why, in the name OF wonder, dc
| you not accept her admission OF the
factW
| I fairly laughed in his FACET see ed
so stupid for him to come to me with his
| doubts, when IL appeared that Annie
had given him all the encouragement he
asked for.
A light suddenly struggled into his
face.
"Laugh at me, Miss Morton, if you
will. think L understand it all now
You think love Annie Halew
| "Certainly. Did you not say SO, anC
that she had hidden you TO hope? Are
you a reasonable man, Mr.. May, to ask
me ior solution to question, which
the lady you love has weredP'
"Tne lady love is yourself, Lettice
May love youW
10, Mr.. May" said in a frightened
voice, "what Will Annie doW
His ewes danced with lauRhLar
"Annie? She will rejoice in my hap
piness, if only you will make me happy
Lettice. She Is true friend to me anC
to you, and has encouraged me 10 hopt
Tor your kindness toward a poor, home
lesB student. Not poor, in a worldly
sense, Lettice. L have sufficient for vi
both, ii you viii but share it with me. ]
want nothing but your heart"
How fast he talkedl l took away my
breath to hear him. / do not know whai
l said, except that l murmured some
thing about always consulting MIR
Stanton about my affairs.
"Ah, l am glad! So do I. Indeed, ht
advised me TO this step, but not unit
after my mind had been fully made up
See, Letticel all our friends seem to ap
prove. Will you decide favorablyw
"There, 60 awayl l must see Annie
first. / was so sure she was attached
to you, that l can not believe other
| wise."
Annie's clear, ringing laugh as sh,
met him at the door, relieved me, anl
her joyful congratulations on entering
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