The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1878-04-18

Mr.. Marcus Wilkinson sat alone
in his Office, with a dainty little per-
fumed note between his fingers, and
q puzzled frown upon his brow. The
note, directed in graceful and fem
inine hand, was brief:
DEAR GUARDIAN I will be at the
Office at ten in the morning. to con-
suit You upon q matter OF import
anco. MILE.
"a matter of Importance, NUT
tered Mr.. Wilkinson, twisting tho
note nervously. Can my fears be
true /? Has Cyril Ormsby proposed
to my pearl ? am afraid no has !
Aud what can I say /? Whit can 1
urge against the man. il 4i.iies 8 own
instincts have played hcr false Ten
O'Clock 7
The last silvory stroke Of the
mantle clock had not died away
when the door Of the Office was
opened by clerk aud Millie Bcnt-
Icy entered the room.
Just.a few words to describe the
ward OF whom Marcus Wilkinson
alwas thought as q pearl, a lily, evs
erything pure and fair. She was Of
medium height, slender and graco-
fu, with thoughtful face OF exquis-
ite beauty.
Very young, only l9, Millie Bcnt-
ley had borne carly tho sorrows oI
life. Her father, having been veal
thy, had failed, in business, aud
committed suicide Her mother
delicate and helpless, had fought
poverty feebly for two years, and
sinking Under privation and toll,
had contracted fatal disease
When all hope OF life was over, the
news came that Millio's uncle, dying
abroad, had left large fortune Ia
his only sister. A will was made by
the dying woman, leaving her own
too lately won Independence to Mil
lie, and appointing their old friend
Marcus Wilkinson guardian to the
heiress.
Sorrowing and womsnly, bcyond
her years, Millie had turned from
her own grief to noble endeavol
to solace some Of the trials OF those
with whom her own poverty had
made her familiar. A cousin had
come at Mr.. Wilkinsop's request te
inake o home for his ward, aud she
resumed many long-interrupted
studies. But q large portion OF hel
time was spent In the humble homes
of those who had been her mother
friends In tile dark dark days Of hel
widowhood aud her gentle chari-
ties soon extended far beyond thil
small circle.
She had been an orphan two year.
on the day when she came to sesl
Mr.. Wilkinson, as already described
aud the sorrows Of her life had los
some Of their bitter sting, leaving
only a gentle sadness behind.
swell, Millie,' the old gentlernsr
said, "what brings to mo the pleas
ure Of seeing you to-day 2
ut is about myself, Mile said
ths soitest rose.tints flushing hel
cheeks.
"Dear me I didn't know you ev
o. took such an insignificant persoI
into consideration ct all.
SNOW, Uncle Marc, please don
tease
'Shs wants something enormous,
said the old gentleman, addressing
ths walls. "Whenevey I am Uncl
Marc. I know what 10 expect next.
Bat just then the kindly man d
footed signs Of trouble In Mile
iaos and the jssting voice was turr
Cd at once to one Of tender gravity
"What is il, my child r
Cyril Ormsby came to see me Lar
evening, and he will come here 4
day but wanted TO soc you frs
He wants ne TO be his wife, Uncl
Marc, snd--she hesitatsd hsye-
you do not hks him =
WHO told you that :
NO 0ns but ! ~ u for myself
We'll, you are right. ] do nc
Ike him. But my like or dislil
has no control over you.
h. mo control + Miles voioe WI
DitooHe. uPleass don't talk q.