Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1879-07-17
MEXICO, AUDRAIN COUNTY, MISSOURI 1870

voice and filling eyes under the in
spiration Of the tenderly scrutinizing
gaze fixed upon me. "Oh I'm so
glad to see you
''My pet," cried DR.. Rail-.
And the next instant his arm was
about me, and bending his noble
head he imprinted 4 soft kiss on my
forehead. Involuntarily L drew
back with burning blush.
He bent an eager, almost pleading
gaze upon me.
''1ou don't want to abolish our
old relations:" he said, in quick,
panied tones.
''No, oh, mol" l murmured,
biushingly, but most truthfully.
| He smiled fondly upon me, saying,
with aarnestness-
81 am Giad of that, Paula; / am
not sure .ttsat such wish on your
part would NOS send me back to
Rome"
Then, grasping my hands between
his own, lie smiled, tendeyly.
'Ihey are scarcely larger than
when held them last. / can stu
cover them with my two great
palms. -
| Thea, with sudden recollection
! of my damp cloak, he exclaimed
''Whas am thinking of? Co
go at once. l don't want you ill.,
And hastily depriving me of the
cloak, he flung it on the rack, and
/ hurried me upstairs, to change my
garments.
| 1t was soon done, and l descend
ed to the drawing-room, expecting
to find Aunt Katheel in sole posses
sion, knowing that my guardian was
still in his chamber.
TO my dismay, ! encountered
pale, elegant-looking man, total
stranger.
L glanced around for aunt, but of
her there was nothing left but the
knitting needles.
II must brave it OUT" thought,
rather cxasperated by the amused /
twinkle in the eyes OF the stranger
at my very evident girlish embar-
rasSment.
SO / blundcrcd, with crimson
checks and startling simplicity !
Il was not aware OF your presence .
here, which elegant and appropriate /
sautation failed to elicit a reply
trCm the pale unknown, by reason of
DIR. Rails voice at the opening door,
and the next instant the handsome
stranger was being presented to me
i'll due form as my friend and
travelling companion, Mark Alton"
In the days and weeks that follow
ed Mark Alton made hiuself a
most delightful acquisition to our
little oGrcle.
| felt slight disposition to ques-
ton her decision As | silently listened
to the finely m02uIated voice, giving
one minute exqu,a-t9 word paintings
as r.".s.l .ise most daqDon charming
that mortal could cunS1--fitfnJ muo;1.
Yes; he was good, handsome, ,
noble, and entertaining; but, uay by .
dav, Gardie and | drifted farther ,
apart. {
He confined himself to the library, {
pleading business matters, and leaV- i
in% Mark Alton to b.: entertained by I
aunt and me ,
But, somehow, tpe task seemed to |
tall upon .nc, auG / should have been ,
very happy in 1t, had it not been for |
5hc miserable sense Of alienation |
from my guardian.
Mark Alton had been with us {
nearly three months when | was one {
lay summoned to the library by DR.. {
Rail-.
lie was seated at his table, his {
,lhow resting upon it, and las hand ,
his head.
lie looked up with Il grave, sweet {
smile a., | shyly entered J.,
/ had grown shy Of Doctor Rahl, ,
lnd it was only too evident.
''You wished TO see me, Doctor !
Rail- :" | said, timidly, rs he rose /
and wheeled chair to the rc-place :
and seated me in 1t.
A panied expression lifted across /
lis noble face, perhaps ut the cold I
Iliie, | thought.
lie leaned his arm on the low q
and did not reply Immediate {
y, though he gazed ut me with grave |
5hoUghtiuIncsS. +
Dlyrctly he seemed to reused him ,
self from his reverie by force of Il ;
strong will. +,
''Yes, Paula" he said, in gentle, ,
though | thought strangely low and
tones. "YCs, Mark Alton ,
Ias entrcated it of my friendship, as
your guardian, to make the offer of I
lis hand and heart. He loves you,
Paula q" i
For n moment stared at him cold
md specchless. Then l covered my :
face with my hands and sank back in $
my chair. {
Not a sound broke the silence. .
Presently, rallying, 1 looked up at
lim. His face was pale and his lips
set in Il cold, stutn expression, as he .
calmly regarded me.
| steadied my own nerves.
lou "loi ilC Iuallb luln, hOCLci |
Rail- - | asked, coldly.
His face lighted wildly, and he
,Ook one lmpetuous step towards me.
The next moment he rntreated,
and took up mis- position by the
again, his face settling into its
former coldness.
Then he spoke. Il
eyes, Paula, il you will be h. Apply
with him."
1 seemed turning to ice from cad
TO foot. A great lump seemed ris ing
IN my throat and choking me. Twas
silent.
But only for moment did l vie Id
TO the weakness. L rose and stoo d
steadily III front of him.
Then / said in steady tones
81 will marry Mr.. Alton!'
And forcing smile to my lips, L
turned coldly to the door, with a
calmly SpOkan tGpnod ,oornipr