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

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how much l have always loved you, ana
| never dreamed until now that you
cared for me other than cousin! How
my heart beats! Inever expected to be
80 happy! But thank God, who is so
good to us allg"-and she wept a little
gush of grateful tears.
On she went with her stle-building.
Wonderful things were to be done,
Everybody should share something OF
her happiness.
Her sister Carrie, in year or so-she
vas only seventeen as yet, and too young
should go TO New York and make n
fortunate marriage; it would, OF course
as Carrie was so pretty, be only ques-
ton with herself as to which million
aire and paragon she should choose
they would all be at her disposal; per
haps she would fancy some dukes son
from abroad-marriages Of this sort
were growing very common.
And so on builded Lavinia her beauti
full architecture until, with thrill, she
heard Sidney and Carrie disputing about
the strawberries in the garden outside
She went out to them, and Carrie,
sunburnt and vexed, and with hands
like Macbeth's, ran away with the ber-
ries to old Dorcas.
"She is such romp, Sidney. Iwon.
der you do not get out of patience with
herp
mo, my stock of that article is un.
limited. A wonderful day this-clear
as crystal. The country in summer-it
is the nearest idea my not very vivid
Imagination can realize of heaven. /
think, dear Winnie" he said, laughing,
"that it is just the sort OF day on which
TO say something that has been in my
thoughts for a long time"
What can it be, SidneyP"
You could never guess. 1t is some
Thing very serious and prosaic."
Perhaps you had better postpone
it,"
"No, might never have the courage
again. Do you not feel an intuition OF
what is comingP owe everything to
you, dearest Vim; your money paid for
my education-for the very bread have
eaten. / am in the attitude of one who
still asks favors; this the last, l hope,
but the greatest of all. Winnie, am in
love, and one word from you seals my
happiness or misery"
She was silent, looking down on the
grass; but after q minute she spoke.
"Sidney, l must say frankly that |
did not expect it. AS to your obliga-
tions they are now nothing; but once |
did think them tie that should always
bind us together--friendship and graft
tude-you understand But if it has, rs
you think, grown into another feeling,
those obligations are discharged; if, in
fact, you love me, Sidney, and wish to
make me your wife, it is l who am in
debted and grateful to you, for tell you
frankly that it was until this moment,
q dream l did not dare allow myself to
think Of But, since you wish it, I will
be your wife, Sidney, and live hence-
forth with but the one thoua htRf max
ing myself worthy of you"
Red and pale by turns-tremulous,
puzzled and bewildered at first-stood
Sidney Linden.
Was there ever before so incredible
mistaken He knew not what to say or
do. He had Intended to ask Lavinia's
approval of a contemplated proposal
to Carrie and what an appalling situa-
tion had arisen!
He was, indeed, bound by honor and
gratitude to Lavinia, who had been so.
good to him, and he had intended al
ways in some dim fashion to return
;omething-he did not know exactly
what; but paying the debt in this way
had never entered his thoughts. He
loved Carrie-a hidden romance of two
years back; real love-a part of his
life, indeed. But here suddenly was
catastrophe; he was ruined.
Lavinia, l-of course /" he STAN
mered-" that was what / meant-to
ask you to be my wife. i never Lad any
other idea than to to discharge my OBJ
igation in the one .way-by asking you
to--to accept me as your husbands" and
he hung his head in shame.
I1avinia did not notice it, or, if she
did, put her own Interpretation on his
confusion. She was quite too happy to
tealize details of what was happening;
memory brings those back afterward.
And, speaking very little more, they
crossed the lawn to the house, and she
went in.
She went up to her room and knelt at
ner bedside and offered up q thankful
prayer. Think of the ecstasy Of win
ling something beyond your maddest
hopes! And in shuflled old Dorcas to
tsk something about dinner. smiling
broadly and rather idiotically, as usual
"Well, Dorcas," said Lavinia, get
ing up and going to her and putting
her hands tenderly on the old servants
shoulder, smiling radiantly, you were
right and it is to be-"
"I knowed it-didn't IP" said honest
Dorcas, with broader grin. Heoften
talked to me, as young men in love
will, with anybody, about the one they
love; they'll even sit and hear her
lbused rather than not talk of her at
ALL" went on wise Dorcas, who coul
see through milestone as well as
others.
l.avinia uttered pleased laugh and
kissed the old creature.
"He does love her sure, and he
says to me this very morning, l cam
ruuit a dau 1Opo oar and M, ,,o;,... l.,