The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1878-07-18
The Old SqWtre's MISTAKE.

aTTue hearts are more than comets,
And simple faith than Norman blood
Squire Atherton owned a fine
place, and had a plethOric rent roll
so that money need not have been an
object in the selection of q wife for
his only son, Cyril.
Not being of a romantic tempera-
ment, he had given but little thought
to the matter, merely looking upon
it as essential that at some distant
time Cyril should form some suitable
alliance, 80 that the name need not
die out e; but there need be no haste,
and fortune must be among the la
dy's advantages.
What, then, was his surprise and
dismay, when Cyril came to him one
morning and asked his consent TO q
marriage with poor young girl, the
orphan niece Of a small farmer, who
lived some three miles from AthertOn
manor.
A stormy scene ensued. They part
ed in anger. Cyril mounted his ia
vOrite Madcsp, and rode at once TO
Deepdale farm. HildR saw him COM
ing, and met him at the door.
The rash young lover had not wait
ed for his fathers consent to WOO her,
and they had been betrOthed for sew
eral weeks. He ehad led HildR 10 be-
IIeve that she would be welcomed to
bis home, and given daughters por-
ton of love.
1t was hard to tell her the bitter
truth, and in his anger aud disSp-
l. sTfA of unFfnr hQEl N
word his father had said, even TO
calling Hilda a milk-faced DOLL whose
pgarly teeth and bright eyes had cap
tIvRted him In spite of his better Judg-
ment.
"But we'll be married in spite OF
him, won't we darling ? He'll come
TO his senses then, I'I warrant. He'll
think it sll right when he can't helI
himself"
HIIda's roses paled as she listened
to the eager boy, and the happy light
which had made her dark eyes sC
brilliant, had died away in sOmbrC
shadows, but she answered with gen
tie resolution
mo, Cyril, two wrongs never made
q right. 1t doesn't sound like you ia
say such q thing. We are young and
we can wait until your father changes
his mind"
rThat's what he'll never do," said
Cyril, gloomily. "If he takes a no
tion, an earthquake wouldn't movt
him. II we wait for such q thing
we'll wait forever"
urPhen it will be with q clear con
science. Your father is an old man
and it might shorten his life, il you
| his only son-shOuld prove disObedi
ent and ungrateful, l cannot come be
tween you and your father"
Cyril listened to her with flashing
eyes.
"Then YOU will throw me over ?
who worship the very ground you
feet have touched. o, Hilda, l die
net think it Of you. My father wa
right,p he continued, glOOmily
"He said all women are alike-selfist
and meTcenary."
HDon't Cyril l know you canno
believe it Of me! Hear me ! II yOI
were to be crippled in mind or body
and miserably poor, and no one els
had q prior claim to you, l woult
work myself to a shadow for you
and consider myself happy in dOinI
so. 1t is because l love you bette
than myself that will not let you dC
wrong. But will promise to go soil
tary and alone, so far as human Low
is concerned-tO my grave, il so b
that we cannot marry. Dear, deares
Cyril, go home to your father and d.
as he wishes, fully and entirely
, Gods blessing will surely rest upOl
: the dutifuI son."
Her voice broke. With a Wild i'm
pulse she threw her arms around hi
neck and kissed him again and again
! between her sobs. 1t was her fare
well. The next moment Cyril wa
, standing alone in the porch, and IN
heavy door was shut and bOlted be
+, tween them.
After q few moments OF bewilderin
! hesitation he mounted and rod
away. He could not but think fol
civingly OF Hilda, as he recalled ne
anguished sobs, and felt her kisse
!, burning upon his fOrehead-she VIII
: had ever been So chaTy OF her cares
!. es.
Strive as he might, he did not agsi
D see Hilds. 1t seemed as though SON
+. unseen messenger was ever on IL
!. alert to warn her of his approach.
4 last he grew desperate, and determine
$ to leave home. His father procure
him q commission in the army. II
p wished for active service, and, as
i was the time Of the CrimeRn war, 1
G had no difficulty In carrying out b
{ purpose. His regiment was one
!, Che first seut out.
r T5INo hard NJ lfo
terrible eyes. Still she did not regr
n the course she had taken. FOllOwiI
!, the noble example of Florence Nigh
!, Ingale, she went to one of the hosp
y tai training schools to fit herself
n follow her poor soldier, IL necessar
n and nurse some poor victim of Il
u war back to life, or to soOthe his d
" ing moments il he was beyond hel
But other work was In store for hC
|, a letter from home brought news
!, an epidemic of the worst type Of I
! phoid fever in her own village. Il
h inhabitants were so alarmed that tn
!. were leaving the place, and nurs
1. could not be obtained, so great "
+ the fear Of the contagiOn. The co
IS Guiding item was this j.:
o "Squire AthertOn Is down with
and OF all the indoor servants st {
manor, old Hannah, who took care
the mistress In her sickness, is {
= only one left. She declares il s
leaves the master in his sore nee
it'll only be feet first u
Without q moments hesItstio
F. Hilda went to the matrOn, telling b
OF she was needed at home, and procur
Is, her discharge. Then, laden with |
nc precious newly-gained knowled
Of she took the first homeward-bou
I'd train.
ne Old Hannah w2s seated at
IL masters bedside looking worn 6
sr- weary. AS Hilda came softly
Ict dressed in her elinging gay fan
dress, with her glossy hair hidden
nj q close-fittIng muslin cap, she loOl
Fly 10 the surprised old woman like
he sppsritIon. Hilda smiled and h
on out her hand as che whispered
'ru HDonit know me-Hilda, OF De
to dale farm? I am here to help you
know what to do, SO don't be afrait
= trust me. I'lI watch the master fsi
Z. fully II you'll GO and take q rest"