Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-02-21
"Wbat RIGHT have Non to ash mo .,

"What right have you to ask me such
a question ?" she Inquired in an angry
tone.
Il assume the right and demand an
answer"
81 never answer lemands; you"
''Do not be Offended Annie. It was
wrong for me to spepSin such man
ner. But please tell me if you love
me ?"
Cant you answcr|tlMt yourself?o
II might not ansW&r correctly. For
the third time | asE& y,, Aunie, if you
love me n
He was.pw 'fsiH ~ -to his side
and his eyes were bent searchingly on |
her face. She felt prevarication to be
useless as she slowly answered:
Il cannot tell you falsehood, Ethel,
you are dearer to me than my own life,"
! "Will yos be my wife, Annie; can
not offer you my love, but offer you my
name and protection; and l promise you
the storms Of life shall not fall heavily
upon your head if can ward them off,
AS told you before l cannot love you
as | think should love my wife and /
esteem you very highly, and know you
will be u true and faithful companion
| think we can be happy together"
Her heart gave great bound, then
seemed to stand still as if she would suf-
focate. Here was all of earthly happi-
ness that she ever expected to enjoy and
temptingly within her reach; she had
only to speak and it was hers. But
would he be happy? Might not years of
devotion and tenderness win his love to
her
ETHEL, you are good and noble to
make such an offer, and to be your wife,
and minister to you, and comfort you,
and bask in the sunshine of your smile
would make earth a heaven to me, but l
cannot accept it. One Of us must suffer
and it is better that should. Your life
is all unclouded, your pathway strewn
with flowers, while my feet are often
, bruised and pierced with treading on
thorns, and my sunlight often obscured.
, | am Injured to heart pain, and am the
: strongest to bear it. Take back what
you have said. | cannot be your wife
/ A loveless union would render life miser-
able, and | cannot consent to anything
! which will cause you to suffer
, ''ls this your final decision, Miss
Grey ?"
II am sorry that it is"
at is well but perhaps you had bet
ter take time for. consideration before
, you positively declipe."
, Those words were uttered in freez-
| ing tone, showed plainly he was dis
pleased. He had put her from him,
and now stood before her.
II cannot decide otherwise; but
Ethel, do not be angry Think you not
it is hard enough 10 put you away out
of my life, and with you all of earthly
happiness that can ever be mlne--to
live in the same world with you, yet
never look on your face, never hear
your voice, without having to bear the
weight of your displeasure, too?'
Happiness, lifelong happiness, is at
your command if being my wife will
bring it to you, but doubt if you are
depriving yourself of an earthly para
disc after all. guess a fairer prospect
lies behind this refusal"
He knew be was wronging her, but
her rejection of his suit wounded his
pride because, man-like he imagined he
was doing magnanimous thing. 1t
had cost him a struggle to do as he had
done, but he pitied her and thought it
was his duty, for he knew that in fire.
quenting her society as he had done, he
had encouraged her in believing that he
cared for her. And SO certain was he
of success that he only had pictured to
himself her graceful, perhaps eager, ac-
ceptance of his offer. But when he saw
the look Of agony that crossed her face
at his cruel words, he grieved that he
had uttered them.
"Oh," he exclaimed, clasping her
hands and turning her white face to-
wards him, "urge me no more. You
will bless me some day for saving you,
and do not leave me in anger"
He regarded her few minutes 10 ST.
lence, then extending his hand he said
kindly, Goodbye, Annie, am sorry
have panied you; you must forget
this" and was gone
She laid her face upon the desk, and
in bitter anguish prayed that she might
die +; but death comes not when we mes.
desire it. How long she wrestled there
for strength TO bear her burden she
knew not, but when she emerged from
her struggle daylight was dying, and
the birds were singing their vesper
hymns.
Two years elapsed. Annie still fol-
lowed her old vocation in the little
schoolroom, and looking into her calm.
white face you would never guess that
she suffered. or that she was slowly
whitening as DO the flowers.
Ethel bad been out too See the world |
and had returned Riding out on horse
back one evening shortly after his re-
turn be thought of Annie. aud a curiosity
to see her seized bin. Surprising that
she would be returning home from
school, be turned into the road leading
toward the school-house. He bad not
gone far before he saw her approaching.
but while they were yet some distance
,part liz horse ehiei suddenlv and he