The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-19


and putting up her hands to hide 1t.
, mo, perhaps should not" he said,
! sitting down beside her, while all the
good resolutions he had made melted
, like ice In the sunshine. "Look round.
What are you hiding your face for 2"
J Because i do not want you to see IT,
: but he leant down and pulled away the
screening hands, and saw her eyes
dropping, and the long lashes resting
struggled to creep down the dimpled
J face.
Il thought you were offended" she
said helplessly. tits three days since
you spoke to me"
lis that why you we're crying2" he
asked, kissing the tears away. "Child.
l wonder why it is L love you 80
much?"
Love me she answered. rising two
frightened, wondering eyes to his. do
you tOUe me?" She was as much aston
ished as IL the Emperor Of China had
suddenly sent over proposals for her
hand. 1t had seemed as impossible, and
utterly out Of the question, that Ralph
Gainsmere should condescend to think
OF her, as that the statue opposite APPS
ley House should get off its horse and
kneel at her feet. She was one OF those
women who are content to love hope
lessly and helplessly, worshiping. their
lance. "You really love me2" she
whispered, afraid even to say the words
In her natural voice.
| Yes, Childie, think do"
"Ohl"
And she gave sigh which was almost
pain in its excess OF happiness.
Lady Mary could scarcely believe her
ears when, as she sat on @ retired sofa
In the drawing room after dinner that
evening, Ralph Gainsmere, the "safe
man." asked her consent to his mar
| riage with her youngest daughter. She
| refused 1t, Of course. She was aston
ished that Mr.. Gainsmere could for one
| moment think OF such thing, consid-
ering his unsatisfactory position, and
| the extreme youth OF her daughter: but
the Detrimental" was not easily
abashed. Moreover, just at the right
moment, Mr.. Waybrook came to the
rescue.
Now, though Lady Mary's husband
had no absolute will OF his own, he had
some influence; and having learnt by
personal experience that aff1uence does
not necessarily bring happiness, and
having had no opportunity OF testing
the joys and SORROWS Of poverty, and
liking Ralph as q pleasant and agree |
able man, he did not violently oppose
the proposals, but suggested that they
should let the matter rest, and talk it |
over In the morning. and the result was |
that In the morning, very much to his |
surprise and relief, Ralph Gainsmere
was informed that, provided he would |
wait year, and make suitable arrange
ments, and keep the affair a secret for
some time. he might consider himself |
engaged to the owner OF the brown eyes
which had first met his own at Lords |
cricket ground. He resisted the latter
clause, but Lady Mary was firm; and
glad to gain his point on any grounds,
he gave way and departed on the fol-
lowing day thoroughly satisfied with
his position.
For two or three months the engage
ment prospered. and Ralph Gainsmere
learnt to think the little scented notes,
in a spikey handwriting, with the spell.
ing sometimes uncertain, and the gram
mar often doubtful, the most precious
productions he had ever seen, and sent
little patronizingly affectionate epistles
in reply, which Gertie received, and
re-read, and treasured in way only
woman can understand.
So the Detrimental's" love affair
prospered until the winter; then, one
morning, just as he was thinking the |
Waybrooks would be in town for Christ ,
mas, the romance ended-ended with a
little blotted tear stained letter which
ran thus:
my Dear RaIph-This is the last let
ter l shall ever send you; for think 1t
Is best, for reasons which mamma un- &
derstands better than / do, that our
engagement should end. am sure you y
will forgive me IL 1 have caused you any
pain. and 1 shall always hope you will |
be very happy.
yours sincerely,
GERTRUDE WAYBRooK." @
He could scarcely believe his eyes he :
looked at the little note again and =
again, almost stunned, and examined =
The tear stained words infinitely to see
4 1t could be really Gertie's own writ |,
ng but there was no mistake about it. !
Then he read formal letter from Lady l
Mary, which came by the same post
hen again looked at poor Gertie's pro- l
iuction, which had been written while !
Ter hand shook and her tears could not i
Do restrained.
Poor little grill" he said bitterly.
The mother has done 1t, of course. g
lot character enough to resist her 7
mother and act for herself. Well. it is 4
10 use kicking against Fate, 1 suppose"
de took up the morning paper; but he u
could not read, the letters danced be- t
ore his eyes. till every one OF them Q
pelt only one word-Gertie. Suddenly r
! name caught his eyes, and he read:
I'VE understand that marriage is q
arranged between the Hon. and Rev. g
frant Dalton, of -, rector, and the II
ldest daughter of Mr.. and Lady Mary v
of Waybrook Manor" &
II understand 1t now," he said. envy G
ady's spirits and expectations are g
aised." Il
PART III. o
THE SECOND SEASON. h
The London season came round again. CT
salph Gainsmere was still the ire W
roachable Detrimental; :" but people Il
that he was a little quieter d
nd little graver than formerly. He "
ung about doorways more and danced Al
ess his attentions, too, were even more it
eneral; and his manner sometimes a 81
tile cynical. Another remarkable il