The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-07-01

"Giye me your burden, Irene," sad
he. "Why did you not tell me you
were going TO gather IL, and let me go
with you? II is altogether too heavy
burden for your arms TO bear.
lie managed TO get the lovely sprays
from her arms, but IL required an i'm
mense amount Of tarly effort on his
part, and shy, sweet blushipg on hers.
answer me, Irene. Why didn't
you let me go with you? Wouldn't
you have liked it?"
He dem anded her answer IN the most
captivating, lordly way, and she drop
ped her eyes in great confusion.
"Y-e-s.r
"Then why were You so cruel to
me?"
~ am not cruel to anybody. Indeed
must go now"
Walter placed himself squarely in
the way, and was looking down at her
rosetinted face.
"No, you cant go yet. Irene, you
are cruel, or you would never deprive
one Of the opportunity to enjoy the
blessedness of your society" His
voice lowered tenderly, and he drop
ped his hand nearer her golden curls.
"You know | think ID cruel in you TO
be so distant, aud shy. and reserved
with NEEDN'T you Irege?".
She shrank away, her lovely form
dropping like lilly, her cheeks hang
ing out the signals Of distress and con
fusion.
"Oh, please don't talk so TO me. In-
deed must gol Mabel is waiting for
the holly, and she-they won't like it
if"
But she was prisoner in his tight
clasp.
"If they find you and me talking 50
confdentially together?"
"No! / mean if don't take the hol-
ly at once. :"
Walter put his arm around her
waist before she knew what he was do
ing.
"Irene look up. You shall not go
until you let me see in your eyes if you
love me as well as love you! Irene,
my dear little girl, do love you very
dearly"
She was silent for ono second, and
he saw the culver on her red lips.
Then she raised her head slowly. shyly.
"You love me? Oh, Walter, what
will they all say? Don't you know it
is Mabel you should say that to? 1
am nobody, Walter, and Mabel is an
heiress?"
Walter had both arms around her by
this time. and was looking ardently IN
her glowing face.
"I know Mabel is an heiress, and
nice little girl; and ] also know you
are darling-my darling-and the
only girl ever asked 10 be my wife,
or ever shall ask Say yes, pet.
His tone was low and tender, but
triumphant.
"And You can deliberately give up so
much for only just me?"
Her wondrous eyes met his bravely
now, aud thrilled him with the love
hight in them.
"Only just you my own darling
Why, YOU are more than all the world
to me, Come, we will go tell Uncle
Abiah al once. Just one kiss first
you must
And he had more than one or two,
before he led her blushing, with tears
trembling on her lashes, like diamonds
on golden thread, to Unccle Abiah,
who sat in his library with Mrs. Corne-
lia, industriously looking over receipt
book. They looked up in surprise as
Walter marched in, Irene on his arm,
picture of confusion.
"If you please, Uncle AbiRb, want
your blessing and cordial consent to
receive this little girl for yonr neice. l
love her aud she loves me-"
Uncle Abiah looked shrewdly over
his glass at Mrs. Cornelia.
well, sister, what shall we say TO
this youths demand?" \ broad smile
of perfect delight was on her merry
face.
"Say? Why, tell them yes. and well
come: and let them know their Aunt
Corneia isn't fool If their Uncle
Ahiah is.
Walter looked astonished, and felt
Irene's hand tremble on his arm.
"What is it, dear?"
She smiled through her tears as she
looked into his enquiring eyes.
"Oh, Walter, am afraid you will be
angey. l am Mabel after all, and
and"
"And you have made love to your
cousin, the heiress, in spite of yourself
my boy SO Hillcrest is foregone
tate, after all, eh?"
Don't scold. please, Walter" Ma
bel pleaded, in a low voice, with her
blue eyes looking into his.
"As IL could scold you, NV love.
Since l have you what need care?"
And Mrs. Cornelia turned over the
leaves Of the receipt book until she
came TO wedding cake" and AYERS
that she made the match herself.