The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-06-28

cret and slD against my own soul by marry- r
ing one I did not love? Surely that were
the worst crime of the two. What was left ,
me, then, but to wound noble heart, belle
my promise, inculpate my father 1t SEEM
ed dreadful alternative. After many
hodrs OF agonized casuistry could not de.
eide, bat determined to leave the issue to
chance. Did Frank love me? Strange that
took that fact for granted, tor.uring nv.
self with the idea of what he would sutIer-
he, with his youog, strong canacitv for sor-
row! This is not to be a long story, so I
must not stay 10 analyze the state of nv
mind that ELAPSED before Nc. Lacy's return.
crim'nal awaiting a sure coDsummarion.
aod that, approved by bis own aching con-
science, would understand my feelings.
| The evening came on which we expected |
him. Never before had our drawing room
WON more happy, bome-like character,
NJ faith" read the newspaper at ease in his !
ample Guar, my handsome, lively aunt per-
petdally iltefupting him with iriesaient
remarks. | sat neac the tea table, fot a GER
tain hour had been fixed, aud we waited for
our guest before we began our iavorte meal.
! he'd book to hide the sudden changes Of
my counteoance. Had doubled nv cous-
io's love before, should have 1odbted it no
longer; how earnestly and searchi1gly he
looked at me how grave aud sad he ap.
peored.
The koock cane. 1t was nairra; | should
start; but il was hard 60 smile naurally at
my aunts 'aiile,y. NJ Lqcy came ia he
was one of those whose e,f.govetoed. serene
/ manner precludes hutter Of emba rrassmeut
in otners. The gentle frendliness of his
+ greeting ieassured me for The moment uu-
dee it | could hardly imagine the strong d,
t impassiOnate cUrredt TO exist that sometimes
= broke It's bounds.
; The evening psssed smoothly and pleas
!, anrly to all externas. Mr.. Lacy was grave;
d but then it was expected Of son who had
n Just left his fathers death bed and nv
e aunt's animated tongue filled up the inter-
d walls when conversation would have flag. ed
Frank and sat together at my fathers's re-
l. quest, for | feared to seem unwilling; be-
If side. it precluded the necessity of exeftina
IF myself to talk. Flank was very serious, and
(, I thought, averse TO sing with me, bu, at lht
sr same time he never sung to more advantage
st The ordeal was over at last. Mr.. Lac,
% took his leave without anything in hig man
l. ner to make me fear or perhaps hope tina
d my secret was discovered. A week passed
be was constantly with u.s. showing me tn,
ii same tenderness as ever somewhat graver
* but as certainly more eeutle. He seemed too
lie to make point Of seeking Franks society
ID and spoke of him in high terms to my fath
ID er. Oh what heavy heart carried du
ID ring that period. Looking in my glass,
thought with wonder of the change 81,
ft months can work in mind and body. A
III the end of those seven DAYS | came to res
1t olution that nerved me with something lk
a strength. | thought would seek truth an
a throw myself on his generosity. Let hr
release me from an engagement that becam
p every hour more intoterable to contemplate
- and | would consent to enter on no othel
Let him but free me, and | would live u1
III married forever; yes, though l must tax
re labor and poverty as companions.
Ill 1t was the very evening OF the day ha
Vt, come to this decision that CHANGED to meet
Mr.. Lacy on the stairs at the hour OF hi
J. usual arrival. Here was the desired oppor
ID tnnity, bat | trembled to avail myself OF it
as lie iorestalled me.
A. Give NE a quartec of an hour alone, Mil
e. dred ia The library he said L have wish
to ed to have few private words with you fo
days
,t We weot in he placed me chair nea
j. the fire aud closed The door carefully, an
Is tber cam mp to me, standing before me a
l. he spoEe:
W This day, six months ago, Mildred,
ID made promise | am going to redeem,
r. you are 20, happy, will free you from til
of engage meut you made with me. You ar
m not nappg. >pected tbe truth from yol
I'd letteis-tho,e pairfu lel,ers-aua | saw
III confirmed the first n,ghC OF my arrival. Th
I'd expression OF yorc face, ,he toue OF you
ne voice when you spoke vour coO,in, woul
" have set the s,,ongest doub', at rest, kille
e. the most pectinaciods hope. He paused
~ mOment, thea went on as calmly aS before
if Il acquit you Of all blame, Mildred; it WI
ne that ac,ed the unworthy part, taking u,
ut manly advantage OF my power to help you
n 4! father and your uatried child's heart. If
of were not now the only sufferer, | coul
le, scarcely bear the retrospect; but | an
If thank God A. for your father, our fea
magniiied his danger the little help WI
r. | a n al tabl / nsit
I'm as firmly as before. He will repay me
nv you owe me nothing. | had a wild dreal
he bat am awake at lssJ-awake enough
'al see it was 4 FOOLS idea that a man like Ii
er. could win a young girls heart
ad lie was calm no longer; but he turn
he abruptly away to hide his emotion.
ro- Nj. Lacy cried tying to ,,iae The co
ne hict of my love. 4 would fain do light
n have deep esteem for you-I-' | bro
ng of, Give me little time, added, pa
sss sionat ely renewing the eGo,t; | shall co
til quer this love Of miue-I will become wC
he thy of you after all
zee Conquer the pure'J feelings of a woman
a heart Offer yourself sacrifice to my 81
OF fshness No, no, M,lfcel, yours is the Sc
to son Of blessedness nine is already passe
nd Presently will come back to you in n
,ia old character, aud be able to say with .lt
difficulty than do tonight God bless y
a both.' | will kiss you for the last time,
rt. saw none Of my family that evening, I
lie | went at once 10 my room. What a mig
N. of conflict and misery | passed
ot The next morning Frank came to my p
ot vate sitting room aud Knocked for adm
ed tance. He held letter in his hand
nd fne eyes were suilused with happiness,
EN- 'Sympathize with me, Mildred he sal
At i feel too much to bear il alone. ha
ce never talked to you about her, for l cou