The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-09-02
But is it we'll between us? Tnat Is pet
ter-let as talk of Africa"

| DuU Is IL We'll between uSE InaU Is DeU-
ter-let us talk of Africa"
Martin, however, was not so easily put
aside. He understood now that Char
lotte and Brian were in truth devoted tC
each other. but controlled their affection
at Is absurd" he thought; "more,
it is unnatural and wrong. As I cannot
have her, he shall, if it can be managed.
Why should she not go with him to
Natal? In Africa they need not mind
being out of the season."
He argued with Brian; persuaded him
to make another effort. At the same
time Rose the milk-maid, whose time of
service expired at the Rectory in week,
with true feminine love of intrigue, was
painting, ir colors as bold as she dared,
the misery IF Mr.. Brian, who was going
thousands of miles away from the only
one he loved, and was so restless and un-
happy.
"He walks about the garden half the
night she said; "and always where he
can sea your window-no offence, ma am;
please, don't be angry with me-"
Charlotte sighed. The prospect Of
splendid diamonds did not excite her as
it ought to have done; the thought of
Brian's departure did. Her mind wan
dered across the sea. "There," she
thought, "there is room enough, and
none of these miserable restrictions that
tie us down and make us slaves of So
ciety,"
Rose was to be married on the We'd
nesday before the ship sailed; she asked
her mistress to come to her mothers cot
tage and see cher things" To this the
Rev. Talbot, who watched Charlotte like
a cat, could make no objection. But
Brian had been invited there also. Rose
left them alone. When she returned,
there were tears on her mistress's face,
but Brian held her hand, and his voice
had proud joyous ring in it, as he
asked Rose if she could keep secret.
The mist of the October morning still
fingered, when Mr.. Martins dog-cart
came gently, drawn by his favorite
mare, along the lane by the Rectory
grounds. A lady, mufled in an Ulster
stepped quickly out from the arched door
way in the wall and mounted by his side
A mile was driven without word; then
from stile came forward a taller figure
carrying gun-case and trunk. lie
mounted behind. Little was said; but
how that mare was driven! Nineteen
miles were covered in an hour and
lalf-it was exactly a quarter to twelve
as they reached st. Georges Church in
Mickleham town. Rose was there and
her swain-it was a double wedding.
Mr.. Martin gave Charlotte away. After
three seasons married at last, without
bridesmaids or carriage, breakfast IN
haste and to her first love! At one
o'clock the happy couples were speeding
away by express for Southampton. Next
day the steamer bore them southwards.
Two years have goneby. Farmer Mar
tin stands among his barley, and reads a
long letter from Natal, speaking of
health, of happiness, of children, of
renewed youth and widening hopes. "ln
Short finishes Brian, "now am man
whereas | was child. Charlotte is very
happy, and sends her love to you"
"Ay, ay," thought Martin, glancing
wistfully southwark. "The crops are
not now what they used to be- the wheat
was yellow this spring, and thin in the
ear afterwards. The land is exhausted;
but there's room yonder, there's room
yonder. Charlotte was wasted here
there she fulfls the noblest mis-
sion of a woman on earth. How
many hundreds are there who wohld be
equally happy if they could persuade
themselves to do likewise! / cannot
stand it here alone.
He has given notice to quit. By next
season he will be dancing Charlotte's boy
upon his knee. Little they reck that
they are out of the season; and as
wealth gradually flows in upon them,
they can, if they wish, return for
while; but not for long-the air there is
purer, the life nobler, than in London
draWing-rooms,