The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1878-03-19
MIS- Y.
Learning His Value.

MI -haICHS w liklnSOn sab alOne IN MS
office, with dainty little perfumed note
between his fingers, and frown upon
his brow. The note, directed in grace
full feminine hand, was very brief:
DEAR GUARDIAN: Il will be at the of.
flee at ~ in the morning, to consult you
upon matter of importance. MILE.
80 A matter .qf .ilq1vortanqa, "nute. ucr,,
vously 'ECan my fears be true? Has
Cyril Ormsby proposed to my pearl?
am afraid he has! And what can | urge
against the man, if Miles own instincts
have played her false? Ten O clock y.
The last siyery stroke of the mantel-
clock had not died away when the door
of the office was opened by clerk, and
Mile Bentley entered the room.
just few words to describe the ward
Of whom Marcus Wilkinson always
thought as u pearl, lilly, everything
pure and fair. She WAS of medium
height, slender and graceful, with a face
thoughtful of exquisite beauty. Very
Young, only Is, Millic Bentley had borne
early the sorrows Of life. Tier father,
having been wealthy, had failed in bust.
ness and committed suicide. Her moth
err. delicate and helpless, had fought pov
erty feebly for two years, aud, sinking
under privation and toll, had contracted
fatal disease When all hope of life
was over, the news came that Miles
uncle dying abroad, had left large for
tune to his only sister, A will was made
by the dying woman, leaving her own
too lately won independence to Mile.
and appointing their old friend, Marcus
| Wilkinson, guardian to the heires0
Sorrowing and womanly beyond her
years, Mile had turned from her own
Grief to noble endeavor to solace some
of the trials of those with whom heI
own poverty had made her familiar.
A cousin had come at Mr. Wilkinson.
request to make a home for his ward
and she resumed many long interrupted
studies. But large portion of her time
was spent in the humble homes of those
who had been her mothers friends in thC
dark days of widowhood. and her gen
tie charities soon extended far beyon(
this small circle. She had been an or
phan two years on the day when she
came to seek Mr.. Wilkinson, as already
described, and the sorrows of life haC
lost some of their bitter sting, leaving
only gentle sadness behind.
"Wcll, Mlllie," the old gentleman
said, "what brings to me the pleasure o
seeing you, to-day: -
Its about myself" Mile said, th
softest rose tints flushing her cheeks
Dear me- l didn't know you eve
took such an insignificant person int
consideration at all y
CHOW. Uncle Mare, plese don't tease.
"She wants something enormous,
said the old gentleman, addressing tn
walls. Whenever I'm Uncle Mare,
know what to expect next
But just then the kindly man detectc'
signs of trouble in Mattie's face; an
the testing voice was turned to one o
tender gravity.
What is it, my child 2"
.sCvrl Ormsby came 10 see me, las
evening, and he will come here, to day
but | wanted to see you first. He want
me to be his wife, Uncle Mare, aud -
she hesitated here" you do not Xix
him"
Who told you that"
mo one; but | can see it for my
self"
"Well, you are right. do not lii
him. But my like or dislike has no col
troll over you
:" No control" Miles voice wi
ipiteous. please don't talk 80. con
to YOU as | would have gone to my ow
= father"
n There, dear, was wrong. Tell m
4. then, as you would have told your lathe
N do YOU love Mr.. Ormsby 7"
-" think he is the modest man ] CIV
hncw. If you could sec him With son