Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-12-30

DeeHueo IL occict YET no on
knows, and you must never, neve
tell until give you leave. | prom
ised on my honor I would keep il
and you know can't break m
word. It's ali right though, aney
Don't look at me so it's only be
cause of little misun ierstandin!
with his friends, and Laurie will sool
set it right
| went to John Dakin that nigh
with my trouble.
lou told me once that you knew
reasons why Laurie Ernstein wa
not to be trusted l said will yor
tell me what they are? Something
must be done.'
He looked at me hopelessly.
Nothing can be done,' he said
and | hardly krew his voice, it wa.
SO broken. when you attempt tc
NEEDLE in such matters, you only
hurry them on to a crisis. Better
leave affairs to adjust themselves
than to risk any rash, unprecedented
action. Your sister is impulsive and
willful, and opposition could only
work her harm. Let US hope she
may exert an influence for good over
Laurie
was not much comforted by the
doctors words, but what could | do
Csryl had never been wont to follow
my dictates, even in the most com
monplace matters. 1t was quite un-
likely that she would listen to me
now, with such a man as Laurie Ern-
stein to influence her course.
yes, | must let Caryl go her own
way said, sadly, thinking his adj
vice the best that conld be given un-
der the circumstances. And, as YOU
say, Laurie may prove more of man
for her sake, if he really loves her.
After that there was a change in
the doctor. He seemed older in
looks and actions, and We. he was
never other than genial and court
eous. To me he was more of a
friend than ever, and l have often
wondered how should have lived
that time of anxiety but for his ready
sympathy and advice.
| was startled entirely out of my
self possession, though, when he one
day asked me to be his wife.
John Dakin!' | cried, looking at
him in astonishment. you do not
mean--you cannot mean
Il mean just what 1 say, Janev,'
he answered, taking my face between
his hands as | had seen him take
Jacks shaggy Lead Jack is the dog)
when he wanted to coax him into
obedience. why should | ask you
1t | did not mean it? If you love no
one else-and an selfish enough to
believe you have no such secrets
from mel don't see why we should
not be happy after our own fashion.
| will try and be kind to you, win,
indeed, Janey, if you will only give
me the chance
| looked up into his earnest, hon
est face, and some great pleading in
1t made me 10th to refuse him. I
saw at that moment, as never before.
how deep the burrows had grown in
his forehead what wistful sadness
showed about the kindly mouth
how mournfully tender were the blue
eyes reading my face so intently.
No, / did not love another; and now
that Cafyl had put herself beyond all
attainment. why should not we two
who were thus alone in the world, be
all in all to each other? In time I
should certainly learn to love him
truly-as | respected him now as the
most worthy of all men.
yes, john said, and | know |
said it impressively; Il will give you
the chance, and | will try aud make
your whole life happy, as know you
will make mine
Thank you Janeyr He held my
hand single moment in his strong
clasp; then be bent and touched nv
lips, as though sealing a solemn com.
pact-the first time and the last.
After that, things went on as be.
fore. John had put on my finger a
gold band with 'Mizpah' engraved
inside; and not unfrequently he talk
ed to me 10 his plain, quiet fashion,
ABOUT the home we would erioy to.
gether, until it came to seem quite a
matter of course that his home and
his interests should be mine.
Caryl was inclined to laugh, at
first, about my taking up with her
sutor, but l silenced her
when she mentioned John Dakin's
name, and for once the girl was sub
dued. Something was troubling her.
too, of late. Often she did not come
near the cottage for weeks, and then
her visits were hurried and unsatis.
factory, as though she were fearful
lest | might question her plans and
eRjoyments.
1t was an evening in early autumn,
and we had fire burning on the sit
ting room hearth. 1t lit up the room
aud made it very cosy and inviting.
At least | remember OF Johns say
ing so when be came in from his
round among his patients. l hung
away his great coat and cap, and
then sat down with my knitting,
while he took the rocker at my side
and read aloud from the evening pa.
per. Presently he laid down the pa.
per, and fell to telling me OF bis fan.
cies-how in our own home we would
have such an open fire always crack
ling in the CRATE when evenings were
cool, and not room should have
that chilling, shut up look he so much
disliked. | knitted away, and nod
ded assent, and ventnred word now
and then about the domestic arrange.
ments of our home 'to be ; but some.
how the wind outside made me nery.
Gus, and started at every sound.
4 am sure | heard the gate said,
as a gust swept around the house
and | laid down my work and list
ened.
Nonsense you are tired tonight,
Janey' He laid his hand over mine
with an assuring pressure, and / have
never forgotten how tender and pro-
tectlng his glance was. as he looked
down into my face. Shall / go to
the door and look for the uncanny
spirits that may be lowering about? p