The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-07-01
LOVED AT LAST.

eyes showing eloquently the anguish and
desolation Of his spirit
For a moment earlier, Lola Bourne had
refused him-geItly, tenderly, with dis
tress on her sweet, pure face, and keen
i regret that she was forced to make him
suffer SO in her low, pitifuI tones.
Bat, for all her sweetness and fender
ness, and sympathy and distress, she had
been firm and resolute.
Il do thank you for your regard for
me, Mr.. Fenton-I shall ever remember
I it as one Of the brightest spots in my life
+ But"-and her voice had lowered to an
inexpressibiy low and gentle tone, whose
very careless and pitifulHess maddened
hint 90 not love you, and l would
not dare to marry where I did not love. "
/ She was sweet and winsone 10 see, so
womanly and delicate for a girl Of nine
teen, and SO lovely in her beauty-slight,
/ graceful, dignifed, always q little more
/ grave and thoughtful than other girls OF
her age and position in society, and even
more grave and dignIfied since the
troubles had come upon her that left her
to face the world without parents or
money.
Hugh had always worshipped her,
since the time a year or so before when
| her father had taken him home to dinner
one evening, and introduced him to Mrs.
Bourne ana Lola, with AL ardent recon-
mendation to their notice and friendship.
And now, when in one little half year,
| there had occurred the startling series Of
piHful cllamities to the girl, her parents
both taken from her, and the magnificent
home literally sold over her head, it had
been, as Lola said, one Of the brightest
memories OF those inexpressibly weary
times that Hugh Fenton had offered her
his hand and love, his name and fortune.
Only sne could not accept because, as
she gently, honestly told him, she did
not love him; and to such girl as Lola
bourne, Hugh Fenton's fortune and so,
cisl position were no temptations what
ever.
Hugh stood looking at the sweet, pure,
pale face that his heart and soul SO longed
to gather to his breast, and kiss forever,
away the solemn shadows out Of the dus-
Ky eyes.
but / cannot have you go out in the
world and be buffetted about as a cruel
destiny arbitrarily chooses" he said
lola, even if you don't love me, let me
| take you and care for youl Lola my dear
little girl, 10 you think 1 can endure the
Iuxuries and elegancies of my lonely
home, knowing the woman 1 love, the
woman l want, IS working for daily wa
ges, perhaps hungry, perhaps not suit
ably clothed, often weary and lonely, and
certainly with no one to cherish and
protect? Oh, my darling, be mercifull
Come to me, and let me teach you how
ID love me. L will try to be content with
what you can give me-friendly trust and
regard. Lola-think again, L pray you!"
She shook her little dusky head, that
was firmly and proudly poised on her fair
white throat.
cit cannot possibly be, dear Mr.. Fen
ton. I am not afraid to face the world
bat I am afraid to bestow my hand where
my heart cannot be given!"
And with her firm, gentle, resolutness
he had to be content; and he went away
from the plain little lodging house, where
in exchange for music lessons to refrac-
tory girls, Lola was allowed comfortable
accommodations-went away with his
heart crushed to tile very earth, and feel
ing as if never again would the sun shine
golden bright for him
While Lola went slowly up TO the little
| plain room which was not pleasant in her
/ eyes as had been the servants room in
her own fathers house.
There was little look of pain on her
mouth and deep, troubled expression in
her eyes as she sat patiently down to
some sewing.
Il could not have done otherwise-oh,
it would have been dreadful to have
promised to be his wife Just because he
could save me from this life. [ wish l
could love him; 1 have tried and tried,
aud cannot care.
And then, the matter thus couscien-
tiouslY settled in her own mind, Lola
went on in her plain, new, dull little way
Of living, to be suddenly and sharply
aroused from it one day two or three
weeks later by a telegram from Hugh
Fenton, that briefly said only this
Il am dying. VIII you come to me2"
/ Dying, Her one good friend, her one
dear friend, Dying! 1t seemed a cruel
mocl,ery to think of his dying in the flush
and glory Of maturity, with everything in
/ the world to live for.
! She fastened to him as fast as the
+ express train could take, to find him
. lying pale and peaceful, waiting for the
woman he loved.
He could still speak, wearily, and with
labor, but his face grew radiant with q
tenderness that seemed less of mortal JOY
than the reflection from the hither shore,
when she knelt weeping for him.
Moths IS best for me, Lola, = he
said, tenderly. Il would rather die like
this, with you here beside me, than live
without. Ny darling. do you know Why
l have sent for you."
Even amid all the pity and desolation
in her heart, she shiyered at his suggest
i've words.
ooh, nay friend, Hugh"
He interrupted her, quietly.
Il want you to let me give you my
name before 1 go dear. l want you 10