The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-07-06

For Cynthia, the only servant, had been
detected in the act of passing spoons from
the kitchen window to a villainous looking
tramp, and the pair had been handed over
to the village constable
None appearing to replace the thievish
Cynthia, May was often found in the
kitchen, NOT very efficient but willing, and
succeeded, in many culinary triumphs,
simply BY obeying orders.
''I'll make good cook of you yet, /" her
aunt often told her, and she laughed mer-
rily at the words.
But Lucien Gaylord, enjoying brief
summer holiday, often wished heartily that
he might be permitted to live upon bread
and milk, if by so doing he could keep
May out Of the kitchen.
Whenever she was free she found him
waiting for her, and they sat in the porch,
or walked in shady lanes, chatting pleas
antly, gradually going beyond surface talk,
mutually interested and pleased to find so
much sympathy of thought and feeling that
time sped on too swiftly when they were
together.
He told her Of his boyhood. with a
wealthy farmer, who died suddenly, leav-
ing nothing Of a once handsome fortune;
of his mother who died soon after under
the pressure Of sorrow and poverty; of his
own position as a clerk in n wholesale
house, upon small salary.
Not until they were fast friends did he
tell her all this, and little later lie told
her of a new dream, new hope, love
death only could destroy.
"Will you let me take back to my druid
gerry the hope that if can conquer for
tune, you will come to share it p he asked.
"Will you be my wife, love, in that for
tune which I hope to gather about me at
least comfort for home? ?"
He had wooed her in straightforward,
manly fashion, and she was not surprised
She put her hand in his, promising all
he asked.
lie went back to his desk in the autumn,
but only a week later was offered better
position in the counting house of the mer-
chant, John Burnette.
'It is so strange" he wrote to May,
sMr. Burnette himself seems so interested
in me, though am an entire stranger to
him. He watches me and promotes me
rapidly, seemingly pleased with all l do.
Darling, if this continues, our home will
soon be secure"
I 1t did continue.
Nearly two years had passed, when one
morning Mr.. Burnette called Lucien into
his private Office, closing the door after
him.
Il am about to make strange disclo-
sure to you, he said gravely, "and you
must weigh well what l say to you Up
to this time you have known me only as a
business man; to-day / speak to you as
friend to friend. | am rich man, but
have few friends, Lucien Gaylord. Shall
count you as one 2''
''You honor me" he faltered, over
whelmed with surprise.
~ am a father" Dir. Burnette said,
sand my only child is a daughter, whose
future has been to me n subject of deep,
prayerful anxiety. | have feared that
when 1 die, the wealth leave would make
her the wife of some plausible fortune hun
ter. l have feared that my business would
fall to ruin in incompetent hands. Often
have | hoped to meet at some time an hon.
orable upright man, to whom l could teach
the secret of my business. have prayed
that when | die, might leave my child
under the protecting care of husband,
who had not sought her for her wealth, a
man of pure heart and firm principle
Lucien Gaylord, have found the man
sought. To-day you viii dine with me,
and be introduced to Miss Burnette."
"I?"
The cry broke from Lueien's lips in
such utter amazement, that he thought he
must dream, or that his employer was in
sane.
You, was the quiet answer
-'But it is all impossible" Lucien said,
slowly regaining his self-possession.
impossible? Why so, if 1 am will
ing?"
"You will think me ungrateful, pre-
sumptuous, but cannot accede to your
noble, generous plan. Faithful service,
true friendship, car give you gladly,
but you must seek another heir, another
son-in law. | am not free
'You refuse my daughter ?"
II have given my love and won heart
could never betray."
"May l ask where ?"
MY promised wife is no heiress, but a
simple country maiden, lovely and gentle
viii not weary you, sir, with lovers
praise, but you viii let me say that have
worked for two years, with the hope of
winning some position that will enable me
to offer home to my wife. IF you will
put me in such situation, you will win
my warmest gratitude, but must not
think again of the dazzling offer you have
made me-
"YOu refuse to be my son-in-law-my
heir?"
Il refuse any offer that makes me
traitor to a pure heart that trusts me"
at makes it harder for me to give you
up, but if / must, at least accept my invi-
tation to dinner, and my friendship"
"GIadly, gratefully replied Lucien
Gaylord.
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