The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-05-13
HER SECRET.

II certainly do owe you everything
It's proclamation to mention money in
connection with that sort of indebted
ness; but, Lavinia, shall try to dis
charge part of it in another way"
Miss Vim smiled and blushed, pluck
ing at one of the roses climbing all about
the window, with lowered head and
very great embarrassment.
Sidney, however, saw nothing OF this
his thoughts were projected into the
future; and, although his gaze rested
dreamily on the things about him, his
fancy had taken wild fight, and was
busy with very different objects. And
there was silence, Lavinia frightened.
Just then Carrie appeared, with her
straw hat on and the strawberry-basket
in her hand, looking great deal like a
figure out of a picture.
II want you, Sidney"
And, with bis honest smile, away went
Sidney to stain his hands with picking
berries.
Lavinia looked after them with a
faded glance-just the shadow of some
thing-not vexation, but gleam of sad
ness and disappointment; and she went
in and was rather quiet for few min
ute", bustling about the room, and
finally over to the glass, where she took
stolen peep at her own comely fea-
lures. She saw woman OF thirty, still
pretty, and even handsome.
Well, there was certainly no disparity
of ages, for he was quite thirty also =
some months more.
"That is what he means, think" g"
said Lavinia, after deep cogitation.
"He does owe me everything, just as he
says, and III believe he likes me. We
grew up together, and it is only natural.
l shall certainly not do anything rash
Tmean, refuse him. / like him, too"-
her voice faltered-" never knew until
now how much" ar
Old Dorcas came in with needle to
thread, and Lavinia drew herself up a
little haughtily at being caught before
the mirror. ...
Strawberries for dessert, Dorcas
Carrie will pick them"
&c see the doctor and her gat 1erin'
'em, miss" returned the ancient hand
maid. II think | never see him look
ingso well, miss, as this time. Anu it's
not so far off, ] can tell you," said Dor
cas-, with nod and smile.
Whats not Ear Off"
1.-The question he going to ask you,
Miss Vim. You know very well; and,
if you intend to make him happy, it
takes only the one word"
"Nonsense Idon't even know what
you mean" said Lavinia, with laugh OF
trepidation and coloring brilliantly, alb
sorbed in the threading process. "The
difference of age, and everything"
"The age is just right. and he is in
earnest. / found this on his desk"
Dorcas produced sheet of paper on
which was traced many times, in very
beautiful penmanship, surrounded by
scrolls and other marvellous embel-
lishments, the name "Mrs. Sidney
Linden"
Lavinia inspected it eagerly, and then
returned it with reproving frown.
You had no business to poke among
Doctor Linden's papers, Dorcas. Il
was wrong, and he would be very
angry"
SO the old servant was dismissed, and
went out smiling, and Miss Vim was
alone again.
Well, here was confirmation strongas
proofs Of Holy Writ-documentary evi-
dence which even the law admits rs in.
disputable; and Lavinia Brandon, like
the practical woman she was, accepted
The facts and went on with her plans.
As Sidney's wife she could be of more
use TO him than overland that was say.
ing much. Old Doctor Jellick had long