The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1879-10-04
WESTON, W. VA SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1879


quickly, as she blushcd beneath
the tender, inQuiring eyes turned
toward her.
"You fancy he would think YOU
indclicate to request n favor since
he has honored you with a prefer
cnce that you may not reciprocate,' II
suggested Mrs. Rivers; "but you
wrong him, Tcssic. He is too as
tutc, as well rs too magnanimous,
to misjudge You. I wish, my love,
you could give him some little
hope. As his wife you might he
very happy, Tessie."
"And might be very miserable" ,"
protested Tcssic; "kindly as his
family treat me, now, they might
behave very differently toward mo
rs the wife OF tho only son and
brother, of whom they arc so proud
and expect SO much. They might
regard me as an intcrloper, rs an
ambitious creature, caring less for
my husband than for the pleasant
life he could give me. And as l
am rather fond of appreciation, I
might not find the situation agree
able. Beside, mamma-"
The young lady paused, growing
slightly pale, and vague express
sion of yearning andpain shadowcd
her bonny brown eyes.
Besides what7" urged her moth
or, gently.
"Novcr mind what, mamma
DEAR" was the grave answer; "but
l have had dreams of Il very differ
ent and much more passionate and
enthusiastic affection than I can
ever feel for Monrcith-much lis !
honor him. But let us not discuss
the subject, if you please"
The next morning Mr.. Caring
ton called.
"Lucillc sent me-" he explained
politely, but his voice betrayed the
pleasure and qualification with
which he had become his sisters
messenger.
The trivial crrand performed, he
still fingered, and Tessie, knowing
why, began 10 tremblc.
Her fond and handsome suitor
pleased her, and she was keenly
conscious Of the honor ho offered
her, but the girlish heart refused to
be wholly satisfied. And yet he
was Il noble fellow and loved her
too well to deny her anything she
might desire. This pitiful struggle
for the simplest comforts Of life
would bo one long dream of splen-
dor and that seemed so desirable.
And the good, unselfish mother
the dear mother who had known
so much of sorrow-would be hap
piest of them all. And by and by
she would forget the old haunting
fancies that had been so sweet, and
she would learn to love Moneith as
well rs he deserved to be loved.
"Will you not give mc my an
swer, Tessie?" pleaded the wooer.
II have waited long"
"If I were only sure 1 would
make you happy" shc stammercd,
undecided.
"You would, DEAR" he persisted,
earnestly. 81 should bc happy in
caring for you so unseliishly that
| should make any honorable sac
rifico to save you from tho pain or
trouble of a single hour
Little did Monreith Darlington
guess that this assertion was to be
sorely tested before the day would
be done.
"And l." responded Tessic, in
odd, abstracted, dreamy tones,
Should rather endure the worst in
silence and alone, than to feel that
one ! loved was suffering for me-"
II should be glad to suffer for
you ifby that l might win YOU"
he said.
But ho had won her, and Il few
minutes later he left her, the touch
of her rosy mouth yet warm OH his
lips, and she went back to her moth
cr'sroom wearing on her pretty
white hand the jeweled token of her
betrothal.
"Mamma, dear, I have accepted
Mr.. Carrington," she said, simply.
n am very glad, Tessie. l have