Stevens County tribune., 1879-07-03
come his sisters messe niger.

LII OAAN 0AAO "Oo hOCuly OOuoClOup Va tuC
honor he offered her, but the girlish
heart refused to be wholly satisfied. And
yet he was a noble fellow and loved her
too well to deny her. anything she might
desire. This pitiful struggle for the sim
plest comforts of life would be over for
ever. She could have velvets and satins
and jewels-an elegant carriage all her
own-horses fit to carry princess-a
home like palace, and her life would be
ore long dream of splendor and the rest
that seemed so desirable. And the good,
unselfsh mother-the dear mother who
had known so much of sorrow would be
happiest of them ALL And by and by
she would forget the old haunting fan
would learn to love Monreith as we'll as
he deserved to be loved.
"Will you not give me my answer,
Tessie?" pleaded her wooer II have
waited so long,
ali were only sure I would make
you happy" she stammered, undecided.
"You would, DEAR" he persisted, earn
estly. II should be happy in caring for
you. My child, love you SO unselfishly
that should make any honorable sacri-
fee to save you from the pain or trouble
of a single hour"
Little did Monreith Carrlngton guess
that this assertion was to be sorely tested
before that day would be done.
"And l." responded Tessie, in odd, alb
stracted, dreamy tones, "should rather
endure the worst in silence and alone,
than to feel that one loved was suffer
ing for me-"
81 should be glad to suffer for you if
by that I might win you,'' he said.
But he had won her, and few minutes
later he left her, the touch of her rosy
mouth yet warm on his lips, and she
went back to her mothers room wearing
on her pretty white hand the jeweled to-
ken of her betrothal.
Mamma, dear, have accepted Mr.
| Carr1ngton,' she said simply.
81 am very glad, Tessie," replied Mrs.
Rivers. III have feared that you would
refuse him, and possibly for the sake of
John Eustis."
"John has never asked me to be his
wife, mamma" returned the girl, wearily,
and something in the suddenly spirltless
attitude Of the graceful, dropping figure,
some nnsatistied expression of the
strangely pale face half hidden by the
loose tawny curls, disturbed and panied
her watchful parent.
When CarrinGton reached his Office he
found a gentleman there waiting for
him.
"Ah, Mr.. Eustis. You wished to see
me9" he observed, lightly.
Eyes, particularly desired to see you
to-day concerning a mortgage you hold,
just due, that l wish to pay" was the
prompt explanation.
Darlington had quite forgotten the
claim he had against the property of Mrs
Rivers, and that he had only secured
from clamoring creditor Of her deceased
husband that he might befriend the girl
whom he dearly loved.
care you prepared to do this?' he IN
quired, wonderingly, Of the young man,
whose income was decidedly not opulen1
"And may know your motive for wish
ing to do it,"
The fine, honest face of John Eustis
flushed slightly, but he evidently did not
consider the question 1mpertinent.
''Could not have come entirely pre-
pared l should not have come at ALL" he
returned quietly. "My motive is to
please and surprise the lady whom ex.
pect to marry. For months / have
dremed how her sweet eyes would glis
ten when I should be able to assure her
thai 1 had saved her dear old home fol
her bonny sake"
Darlington listened, dazed, and paled
to his bearded lips.
1t was impossible to believe any falsity
or ittleness of John Eustis, and con.
ceited and egotistical he certainly was
not. And it was equally impossible tc
suspect coquetry or perfidy of sweet Tes
sic Rivers.
Darlington ventured few subtle ques
tions that were readily and innocently an
swered, and thus shrewdly learned the
| truth. There was not, nor had there evel
been, any engagement between John Eus
tis and Tessie Rivers-only lifelong
wordless understanding of tenderest at
lection and truest fidelity. He could un.
derstand now how the fair girl, bound by
no promises, doubtful for her future, and
solicitous for her mother, had accepted
what seemed wisest and best, while hel
soul was haunted by an unasked and un.
acknowledged love that might prove but
shadow, fantasy, delusion after all
and with his whole noble heart he exon
Grated and pardoned her.
81 should make any honorable sacrifice
to save you from the pain and trouble o.
single hour. - he had told her that morn
ing, meaning it to the uttermost, and time
for the sacrifice had come. The business
was speedily and satisfactorily transacted
and Tessie's pleased young lover turned
to 60 when his friend stopped him.
"I, too, wish to see Miss Rivers" ht
said. ~ shall follow you presently. Dc
not leave the house till l shall have come
Promise me you will not, John"
i The young man promised, and hurried
away impatient to surprise Tessie with
the proofs of his loyal and generous de
votion.
"Oh, John, you ought not to have don,
this!' she cried in a voice Of regret anG
distress. s'You could not afford it, ane
beside something has happened, John
that made it unnecessary
He gazed at her in mute wonder. Tht
pain of her sweet eyes startled him.
why couIu not dIIoru IL, my pet,
| he asked gently, "when you are to share
all I have by and by, when you will b.
my own-my wife9"
/ "Oh, john" she gasped, "you never
asked me to marry you, and now you are
too late-oh, John, too late''
And then she covered her face and be.
gan to sob bitterly. The poor child had
never hidden a sorrow from him in all
her life. She had always gone to him fol
comfort in all her grefs, and it did not
occur to her that it was not quite proper