The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-10-31

She must expect an early visit from heI
favored suitor; she must expect him to
arrive radiant with triumph, and how
should she meet himY
1t was evening, but he had not come.
Her father had been called to patient
at some distance, her brother had gone
to attend lecture on viYisection, and
Adrienne was alone in the drawing
room.
She could not sit still. so out through
the open French window she stepped,
and across the smooth-cut grass.
At the end of the lawn was moss
grown path, and up and down this she
paced, her dress of soft gray making
her moving figure distinctly visible
against the sombre background Of an
ivy-colored wall.
The sunset hour was passed, the opal
hues of the sky were darkening, when
a step on the gravel startled her, and a
mans figure came fastening toward her.
Instinctively she recOiled, and would
have fled; but In moment she was
folded in strong arms and hot kisses fell
on her cheeks, and lips and brow.
"I-I" she began, trying to release
herself.
The waning light revealed who 1t was
that held her in such close embrace.
Resistance was at end then.
She forgot that her troth was plighted
elsewhere-forgot everything but the
present rapture, as she let her head
drop forward on Guys breast.
"Oh ! my darling-my darlingP" he
murmured, in passionate accents, ,"what
have | done to deserve such happiness
| scarcely dared to hope that you would
be mine, and when l got your sweet
little letter, think was nearly deliri-
GUS with joy for a tune"
"My letter? Why, it-why, l."
You expected me before, dearestH ?
You thought me tardy wooer, did you
not? But have strange and wonder
full news to tell you, my beautiful ?"
"Oh Guy, stay-stay. Have you my
letter with your Let me see it, please ?"
Reluctantly, and with many fond en-
dearments, he withdrew his arm and
produced the precious epistle.
She read il, aud 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 letter
of acceptance had reached &c. Morley,
ESQ, care of Mrs. Prett, Laburnum
Cottage" and the letter of rejection had
gone to Sc. Morley, Esq, Peterwood
Hall" Their initials and surnames
being the same had rendered such a
miscarriage perfectly easy and unde-
tectable.
Unwittingly she had had obeyed
the dictates 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 mercenary 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 whispered 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.
eyes, darling, am listening, but do
not try my patience too much. You
have not given me single word of
welcome yet"
Whittier she grew.
81 made mistake. | did not write
this letter to you"
''Did not write that letter to me,
Adrienne2 Oh, Heaven! what do you
mean?"
He sprung forward and grasped her
arm so fiercely that she WINGED with
pain. His face was ghastly, and his
eyes were fixed on her with wild en-
treaty.
had a proposal ofmarriage from Mr..
George Morley, and wrote this letter
to accept it,"
"And what was my answer, then?"
he hoarsely interrupted.
"t-I said | 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
hor explanation she raised her head and
looked at him. With cry she sprang
to him.
ooh, Guy, forgive me, forgive. 1t Is
you care for, you love. lhave been
so unhappy ever since sent the letters.
1t was his wealth tempted me. | have
been so poor all my life, and thought 1t
would be so nice to be rich; but when |
had written saw my wlckedness. |
knew never could 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 nomotion
to hold her.
"Oh Guy, speak to me" she moan
ed 1; sav YOU do not utterly despise me !"