The Princeton union., 1880-10-28
could not feel more real sympathy fo,
her broken-hearted lover.

could not teel more real sympathy for
her broken-hearted lover.
At length Mr.. Thornby arrived. Ade-
lslde meeting him at the crossroads.
where she knew he would take q short
cut across the farm. One single grain Of
encouragement from him and She would
have flung herself into his arms; but he
merely took her hand, placed it under
his arm, and proceeded leisurely to the
house. Adelaide was chilled by this sim
gular cooiness; she was prepared to give
h1m a kind reception, and had even taken
the pains to walk half a mile for the
pleasure Of seeing him few moments
sooner. It was not kind of him, to saw
the least. Then came over her with q
great crash, Suppose he don't love me?',
Such a possibility had never before oc-
Cured to her. What, after all those pro-
testations, to overcome it at last! The
blood seemed to stagnate in her veins;
she could not move If her life depended
upon it. Mr.. Thornby felt the sudden
trembling OF her hand and paused in his
walk to learn the cause.
Adelaide was pale and TREMBLING hnt
It was only ior moment; she laughing
~ assured him it was customary with
her, the result of fatigue.
The bridal array had arrived before
them, and was already spread out on So
fas, chairs and tables. Itwas splendid
trousseau. Robes of such beautiful fab
ric that 1t seemed dangerous to touch
them lay in juxtaposition with laces
which an empress might envy. Jewels
cleaned from their crimson cases like
stars, while lying on the bridal veil, itself
not more pure, was a coronet of pearls of
the rarest quality. All, Mr.. Thornby
had shown his taste as we'll as his liberal
aty. After allowing Mrs. Fairfax due
time to admire them he explained to her
that he wished for moment to sneak
apart with Adelaide.
MY poor girl," said he when they
were alone, "dld you think I would take
the advantage OF circumstances to we'd
an unloying wife? Did you think I was
monster enough to drag you to the altar,
and force you to take upon your pure
lips an unholy vow?"
Adelaide looked up into his face be-
Wildered, but she did not reply.
II confess he continued, ''there was
time when my mad passion and your
obstlnacy almost turned my brain, when
my sart grew dark, and I felt capable
OF almost any wickedness to secure to
myself my priceless treasure-mv peer
less Adelaide. That time has passed.
have seen you trying to conquer that
feeling against me, trying to like me and
amuse me: and make some amends Tor
| what you knew must be suffering. I
determined you should have your re-
ward. It was hard to give you up, tor,
as told you then, loved you as never
before man loved woman; but your
sweetness and patience trium phed. There
IS your bridal paraphernalia, here the
deed OF an estate settled upon yourself
and children; and now l resign you to
your younger and earlier lover, and NAV
ne make you as happy as I would have
tried to do.'
"Resign-not your wife marry Will
liam Beckett! oh, you cannot mean it,
you would not be SO crueln' exclaimed
Adelaide, who had sprung up impatient
OF all restraint, and thrown herself at his
feet
The eyes Of Mr.. Thornby burned with
triumphant fire, but he merely clasped
her two hands, looking down into her
frightened face.
II will not leave you!'' she cried, "you
shall not cast me off. I do love you; I
never knew how much till now; I am not
ashamed to own it. am proud of it.
am ashamed Of that childish folly
which passed for love. AS you love me.
SO love you, with all the strength. pow
er and force of my being. will be your
wife, and SO being will devote the rest of
my life to your happiness
| Mr.. Thornby waited to hear no more,
but, taking her in his arms, folded her to
his breast, which was ever after to be her
home: Another week and they were
married, and Adelaide says it may he
that men have second loves, but she is
very sure women never love but once
So much for her romance.