The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-07-10

lot where hilbert Lee awaited her. Never
had he so longed to take her to his heart
and homo as he did when she answered his
suit with gentle firmness that was new
beauty in her manner.
Throwing aside all eoquetry, she gave
him his refusal with truthful expression
10 her blue eyes, as her low voice said, tI
should wrong you, Gilbert, and be false to
my own heart IL | married you.
"You do not love me2"
"Not as your wife should love YOU
"Then, seeing his look OF pain and
modification, she added, bravely, "Had
known you sooner my answer might have
been different; but before We met had
given away all my love"
Thank you for telling me that" he au.
swercd, earnestly. al shall respect your
confidence. He was gone before Sarah
remembered the bracelet.
al must send it, she told Lola, when
her sister came to her again. Then look
ing into the gentle, sweet face, she whis-
pered. ~ think | was true TO my heart,
Lola"
Not long after white-robed little
figure, iu the old muslin, frilled and futcd
until it was marvel Of snowy prettincss,
came auttering into tho parlor for the
finishing touches Of Lola's deft fingers.
Upon the bosom Of the white dress was
cluster Of Charley's flowers, aud there
were more twisted in the nut-brown curls.
Charley glanced at them as he came in;
but he looked grave aud pre-occupied.
Never in three years Of courting had he
approached Sarah with such a solemn air.
Lola, guessing what was coming, was
stealing away, but Charley put his hand
on her arm.
STAY" he said in grave voice, "I
have no secret from you. You know long
ago what meant to ask Sarah, for you
begged me to wait until she was older
She is seventeen tonight, and she must
know her own heart. "Sarah, bis voice
thrilled with an infinite tenderness as he
spoke the name-"I love you. viii you
be my wife?"
Sarah, somewhat awed by his grave
manner, put her hand in his, without any
other answer than vivid blush and down.
cast eyes.
In moment the old Charley, radiant,
sunny Charley-was there again.
"You do love meY OH Sarah, have
been so wrctched! Gilbert Lee was here
to-day, and you are wearing his flowers.
saw him send them to you
"IIis flowers? thought they were
yours"
"No. IL didn't send flowers. |
have a confession to make, Sarah, if you
will hear It.
The three sat down costly, as IL there
we're no parties in prospect, and Charley
holding Sarah's hand fast 10 his own, said:
"You never heard me speak about my
father, but to night must tell you some
thing of him When l was mere boy,
not more than Eve years old, the gold fever
in California took fast hold Of his imagi-
nation, aud he was one of the first gold
seekers who sailed from Liverpool to dig
wealth from the ground, and wash it from
the waters Of California. For little time
my mother heard from him, but the inter.
vals between the letters grew longer and
longer, till, after five years Of watching
and waiting, she ceased to hear at all.
was but twelve years old when my mother
died. My Uncle Harold Green took me
into his own family, and educated me with
his boys. He was not rich man, and
knew l must depend upon my own exer'
tions for support, as soon as | was old
enough to work. Still he insisted on my
attending school until was eighteen,
and then gave me a years tuition at Uni
versity College in London, before | started
into the world for myself. was clerk in
au Office near my house until three years
ago, when, through friend Of my uncle,
took position in the baak Of this town.
Then met you, Sarah, little girl, but
the sweetest aud most winsOme little girl
10 the world Your sisters kind hospital.
ity to the stranger, the poor clerk, enabled
me to see you often; TO love you fondly
followed very soon. But was poor, and
you had often told me how bitter aud
CALLING poverty was to you. | had nc
wealth to lay at your feet, and you were
but mere child SO | spoke no words OF
love- bound you oy 10 PROMISE hoping 70
win gold 10 offer you before you were mnch
older
"What fearfully mercennry creature
you must have thought mel" said Sarah
laughing.
"Then," Charley said, Colbert Lee
came. He was very rich, bought the
grandest house in the neighborhood, and
added 10 its attractions by lavish outlay
of money. He was young, too, and hand
some, with winning tongue aud gentle
courtesy of manners. He saw you Sarah,
aud he loved you l did not dare urge
my suit then. did not dare ask you to
clasp hands with poverty, when there was
wealth. waiting for your acceptance.
waited, and today / knew Gilbert Lee
had a private interview with YOU. came
tonight. neryed to hear the worst, and
find YOU love me. Sarah. You will be NV
wife, though Gilbert Lee offers YOU biz
superb homel NV story Is not vet finish.
ed. Yesterday | heard from nv uncle Of
NV fathers death in San Francisco. The
money hardened him against home. wife.