Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-11-11

, if 1 could only give up mine, and
] be allowed to keep his. Aunt Heps
bah! Aunt Hepsibah ;how could you
| cried bitterly, as if she were there
hear ny reproaches'
; After awhile became more quiet. az
thought that perhaps by daylight Il
case would not look quite so hopeless
Anyway had till September, and pc
! haps before then s6hething else migl
, happen which would secure me fro
my fate ev~
The summer glided swiftly by, how
ever, only too swiftly. My trouble W,
before me, There. were fishing partie
picnlcs. rides, croquet parties, clan
bakes, something going on CONSTANT!
! spectre Mr. Wentworth was a gres
acquisition to our small village society
He was constantly engaged. SO it wa
the middle of August before, he bega
my picture. I was daily getting NOR
; nervous as SeptemB Der ap proached.- M
father, however, tA0k it as a matter q
course that Iiwotild .rnarnysMr King.
Like him ?" I~overheard him sa
to my mother, one,day, ,."why, of cours
she'll like him. He IL an honest, up
right, manly fellow, I'm told. -Wha
more could any girl ask p -Ifshe id get
ting any DHpssnse into her head abou
that young artist. she had better get
out as soon as possible. I don't wan
her to disappoint nae in this, and sh.
won't If she's the girl take her to be ,
This at last opened my ewes. Mr.
Wentworth! AlasI my heart told NJ,
1t was too late. The hours I had spen
sitting for my picture were the only one
OF peace and happiness had. Mr.. Went
worth talked most of the time while
painting, while / listened in silence :
He spoke of the pictures of the masters
which he had seen In Europe, and some
times he would repeat poetry or tell me
some sncfent legend. He was always
kind and Thoughtful of me, aud quite
often he watched me with sad expires
sion in his eyes Once he said, 'sMiss
Mabel, something is troubling you y
but | turned away aud did not answer.
One day 1T was the last ofthe month
when my picture was nearly completed
he broke out, quite impatiently
II don't see how it is! ]" he cried. IT
cannot get it at ALL"
"Qet what ?' I asked.
why, ! want the expression that
caught the first day I saw you; at the
picnic. you know. I have never really
seen it in your face since. Where has
II gone? l remember you said you were
SO happy that you could not help think
ing of 1t. Now couldn't you think of
the same happiness for few moments,
and let me see if can get the same OK
preston again"
L lifted my eyes-they were full of
tears. Where had my radiant happi-
ness gomez He dropped his brush in
staltiy and came toward me-
NMahel, what Is it ?" he said tenderly.
"What have | said to cause those tears
l must know what is troubling you Do
you think have not noticed the change
in you-hOw pale your sweet face has
become, and how sad your eyes,? 1t
has pained me more than can tell you,
for love you Mabel, love you" he
cried passionately "love you so much
that i would keep pain and sorrow away
from you always
"Oh you must not say such things o
me-" I exclaimed, starting up, and
thrusting out my hands as if to put him
from me,
"Whv not?" he asked anxiously.
"Reoause-because am engaged" I
sohhed, "or, rather. going to he-if I
make up my mind-tO somebody else +"
"And do you love that somebody
else 2" he asked, turning pale.
mo, hate him. It is Aunt Hepsi-
hah's heir. and she has left papa and me
some money, if / marry him, but If /
refuse we can't have the money and
papa needs it, and am perfectly mis-
erable about it" I stammered this out
through tears that vainly tried to keep
back,
sSuppose you had the money in your
hands," he said, "that has been left to
your father. what would you do-throw
the fellow over?"
''Indeed-indeed I would" I said,
hastily. ~ would refuse his offer point
blank, and not touch the money that
| has been offered as price for me-"
"And you wouldn't give him a chance
to win your love even ?' / must say that
is hardly fair"
felt my face grow hot I could not
answer. | was half angry with him for
taking Mr.. Kings part. He saw it,
pEohahiy, and resumed at once:
| met that regret it," he said. On the
contrary, it gives me hope. Take nay
love, my whole heart into your keeping
Mabel, and let my life be part of yours. y
think he saw the happy look on my
face-onoe more the look he had askeC
for IN vain-fOr he caught me in his
arms and kissed me again and again.
After awhile he said:
| Wand so you are willing to give up
fortune for the sake of poor, struggling
artist ?"
"If had but a crust of hread,"T whis
pered, as hid nv face on his shoulder
Il would rather share il with you thar
roll in wealth with Mr. King"
! When went home, tremulOus will
my secret. and in suspense waited unit
Mr. Wentworth should see my father
which he had promised to do the neg
day, found that note had come from
Mr. King. saying that be would he will
us on the following morning. My fac
grew aoarl9t as I thought of the denOue
a5aeni to be made, and wondered how
| would be received.
The next day about nine o'oloek a car
riage drove up to the door. Irushed W
stairs to my room to prepare myself TO
the interview. What should I do?-
Frank had not come, and he had prom
ised to see father early. 1 heard voice
down in the parlnr. fathers and moth
er's, and murmuring undertone. which
of course was Mr. Kings. I'm few mo
ments my father called at the foot of th
stairs;
"Come down, Mabel; you are want
ed" he said.
went down trembling AT the Gao
7 paused, and summoning all the digni
ty could, entered the room. Father
mother and Frank Wentworth wer
there. but no one else +"
"Where-where is Mr.. King ga
lstammered in establishment, stopping d
Fthe door
"I am he, my darling am Fran|
Wentworth K:ngv" cried a dear, dea
voice, and tae speaker advanced, an,
taking my hand led me.to the sofa an
sat down beside me. I was so nervOu
and overcome that I hurst into tears
"Mahel. dear please don't. Are yn,
sorry that the hated King has won? M
darling, promise never to deceive yo
again. But can you blame me for want
in your pure. freshly bestowed low
before you should know who l was!
could not take my bride on compulsior
! cannot tell how gladly felt and ho'
relieved, when found that money ha
no WEIGHT with Won and that IL xyS