The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1879-10-04
NO. IS.

|
"Ah, Mr.. Eustis. You wish to
sec mc?' hc observed lightly.
ayes, | particularly desired to
sec you today concerning a mort
gage you hold, just due, and that
| wish to pny," 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 n clam
oring creditor Of her deceased hus-
band that he might bcfricnl the
girl whom he dearly loved.
"Are you prepared to do tlis?'
he inquired wonderingly, Of the
young man whose income was
decidedly not opulent. "And may
| know your motive for wishing
me to do it?"
The fine, honest face of John
Eustis flushed slightly, but he
evidently did not consider the
question impertincnt.
"Could | not have come prcpar-
ed I should not have come at ALL"
he returned quietly. "My motive
is to please and surprise the lady
whom l expect TO mary. For
months l have dreamed how her
sweet eyes would glistcn when 1
should be able TO assure her that |
had saved her dear old home for
her honny sake"
Carrington listened, dazed, and
palc'l TO his bearded lips.
1t was impossible to believe any
falsity or littleness of John Eustis,
and conccitcd and cgotistical lie
certainly was not. And it was
actually impossible to suspect
coquctry or pcrtidity of sweet
Tessio Rivers.
Darlington vcnturctl Il few subtle
questions that were readily and
innoccntly answered, and thus
shrcwdly learned the truth. There
was not nor had there ever been
any engagement between John
Eustis and Tessie Rivers-only n
lifelong wordlcss understanding of
tcndcrcst affection and truest
fidelity. He could understand
now how the fair girl, bound by
no promises, doubtful for her
future, and solicitous for her
mother, had accepted what seemed
wiscst and best, while her soul
was haunted by an unmasked and
unacknowlcdged love that might
prove but n shadow, n fantasy, Il
delusion after all, and with his
whole noble heart he exonerated
and pardoned her.
81 should make any honorable
sacrifice to save you from the pain
and trouble of a single hour" he
had told her that morning, mean
ing it to the uttermost, and the
time for the sacrifice had come.
The business was speedily and
satisfactorily transacted, and Tcs-
sizes pleased young lover turned to
go when his friend stopped him.
"I, too, wish to see Mrs. Rivers"
he said. u shall follow on present
ly. Do not leave the house till l
shall have come. Promise me
that you will not, John"
The young man promised, and
hurried away, impatient to sur
prise Tcssie with the proofs OF his
loyal and generous devotion.
"Oh, John, you ought not to
have done this |" she cried, in n
voice of regret and distress. "You
could not afford it, and beside
something has happened, John,
that made it unnecessary"
He gazcd at her in mute wonder.
The pain Of her sweet eyes startled
him.
"Why could l not afford it, my
pct,' he asked gently, "when you
are to share all | have by and by,
when you will be my own-my
wife7"
"Oh, john" she graspcd, "you
never asked me to marry you, and
now you are too latc-oh, John, too
latcr
And then she covered her face
aud began to sob bitterly. The
poor child had never hidden sor.
row from him in all her life. She