The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-11-13


house IN the western part Of New York en-
Toying, in no small degree its esteem and con
fideDce, which fully appreciated and did ny
best to deserve. With the desire to perform
my duties we'll and acceptably, had an adci
tiOnal incentive to stand high IN the estimation
Of the firm, In the form OF the lovely daughle:
Of its head partner, with whom was madly
and, as it seemed then, hopelessly IN love. Il
WAS not tho absence Of fortune aud position
that made me faint.hearted, for | heard Mr
CroitOn, her father, say more than once thal NJ
didn't care how poor his sOn-in'law was, II ht
wasn't poor IN integrity, intelligence, energy
and sct:reliance. was conscious that he re
gardcd me with an eye of favor; certainly
could not complain that he did not give u't
plenty of time and opportunity to WOO ano
win his daughter If could The chief diff
Guilty i'm the way lay in the fact that | had q
rival who, having been longer in the field
had apparently obtained footing in her favor
that | despa'red Of heipp able ~ WIN.
"And then the fair Lucy herself WAS so shy
and reserved with me. She always had gay
smile and a merry word for Fred Harding
while to me she was so shy and silent that
could never gain courage to express my love
except by looks and the cagerness and persls
tcncy with which | sought her society. Had
been versed in the ways of women should
not have let this dishearten me AS 1t was, my
heart sometimes beat high with the hope OF
eventful success, her eyes grew so wondrously
bright at my approach, and she blushcd so
prettiy when spoke to her.
Fred Harding was a gentleman OF leisure,
and quite u favorte among the tairer portion
of the community.
ale had plenty of money, which he spent
freely, though where he obtained 1t was not so
l.. |, ,,f.II iu
with soft, white hands, glossy cprls, and care
fully got up attire. never liked him, though
that Is not Strange, considering how lie mo
nopelizcd the society Of my Lucy. He was
always very civil 10 me but there was ne love
lost ON either side. There seldom is between
two men in love with the same woman.
zone day Mr., Croitoa called Clc to enc SIDE
stating that he WAS gong to give me strong
proof # his confidence in what he pleased To
term my good sense and integrity, by entrust-
ing to me some important business, to which
1t would he Impossible for Liw rerson"uy 70
attend | will not take up the time by de-
sCribIng the nature of this business, which
has nothing to do with ny stony, merely say
ing shat 1t nccessiiatcd my going INTO the lntc'
riOr of the state, and taking with me $4,000.
81 was not hide proud that rlisslcn Of
such Importance 81. aid be 2Atiusted 10 Eie,
wondering, in my elaLion, II Lucy knew how
much confidence her father hau in me, and in
wardly resolving that / would perform it in a
way that would Justify his good opinion.
II was to take the evening train. Just be
fore starting | called at Mr. Crofton's private
office to receive the money and his parting IN
! could scarcely believe that the
small package given me contained so large an
amount HIS last injunction to me was to put
4 at IN n,
ed close to the chm, and to avoid talking with
strangers.
II took the ; 80 train, travelling straight on,
with only brief stoppages, for nearly four
hours Then we came 10 the Junction, and
leaving the express, | took the accommOda-
ton train on another less irequented road.
There was IL delay Of about n.ieen minutes,
owing to the fact that we were obliged TOT
sw itch off and let the express tram pass. About
five minutes before we started an old man en-
tered, whose white hair aud beard gave him
IA very venerable appearance. lie had wo-
man with him who chung timdly to his arm.
"'Do these cars 60 to Bottom he SAID, adj
dressing me.
They do replied.
Are you going as far as that"
II am going beyond it, SAID.
You're in luck, Emily said the old man,
the yelled women on his arm.
Here's gentleman that's going right through
Bolton, and will see that you don't get off at
the wrong place.
"'My daughter is not used to travelling he
added, turning to me, and is just getting upl
from n serious illness. If you will be so kind.
Certainly responded.
"NIewing with no little sclI.complacenCc this
additional proof OF the confidence that people
seemed disposed to place In me- 1 removed
my coat from the vacant scat as tacit invita-.
ton to my charge that she was at liberty to
appropriate ii If she chose 10 Go so.
observing my movements, the old man
said:
THANK you, sir. Would you as soon let
my daughter have the seat farthercst from the
Window She is SO sensitive to cold
"Then, rs the young lady took the seat al
luded to, he kissed her, saying:
"'Good.b bye, my dear enid. Don't talk :;
your lungs ure still weak you know. Giyemy
love TO your aunt and cousins, and write as
soon as you are able
AS the cars moved on stole look Mt my
fair cOmpanOn-ior fair she looked and young
from the glimpse obtained through the veil,
She was dressed very warmly, having on, in
addition to the long, loose cloak that fell to
the floor, a large cape and scarf On her head
WIS lllt tbHNtHtlblltl DbIlltl Vi liitI udy, anu
which had material enough on il for half al
dozen of the style worn now.
"ller natural pallor was heightened by the
blacklist eyes and eyelashes that think ever
saw, though on account of shyncss and tlmid-
ity, the latter yelled the former much of the
time from view. She seemed entirely unfit tol
be out at that season OF the year, being seized
Mt one time with "a parOXyism of coughing
that quite alarmed me To my inquiry if L
could get anything she shook her mead, and
remembering her fathers caution TO her, said
no more. Removing the cork from vial,
whose peculiar odor remember yet she touch
cd it to her lips. Whatever it was it seemed
to have the desired effect. Folding my cloak
placed it on the seat back of her, and lean
ing her head upon 1t she slept, or seemed to
do so.
IL had not the remocst idea or intention of
going to sleep but did. How long slept
don't know | only know that | swokc