The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-09-01

ne SAID, taxing announcer plncn. NO
body knows 1T down here; but Hartley
used to keep"
He leaned forward and whispered
something in her ear.
"Oh, doctor |" she cried, turning pale
and then bursting into tears. "What
have you done2 could never be happy
again if I kept that money. Oh, how
dreadfulp
"Hush, hush, my dear child; what
are you talking aboutp What nonsense.
It wasn't you fault"
"No, indeed p she said. " But sooner
than keep money got in that manner
I'd go and perform the most menial
duties"
But you don't mean to say you
would give it up" he said.
"Give it upP Every penny, DOCTOR"
she said, with her eyes flashing and
cheeks flaming "I could not keep
shilling. could not do it, and Yes,
Mr.. Roberts. Thanks, not now; would
rather sit here for n while; or, no, L
will go for walk with you, if you will
have me-" and darting sorrowful, half
angry look at the doctor, she rose, took
Frank Roberts arm and they strolled
away.
Chow lovely the country is" said
Roberts, before they had gone far.
Delightful |" she replied, dreamily.
"I could live here forever with
sympathizing heart" he said, with a
sigh.
"That sounds long time, Mr.. Rob-
erts," she said, quickly.
"Oh, no." he cried, "not with you.
The days would glide by like dream of
bliss"
Sand what about the years, Mr. Rob-
erts, when had grown old and plain
You forget that 1 am your senior, and
that 1 am not girl of twenty"
81 forget nothing, and yet know
nothing" he exclaimed, "only that you
are the only woman 1 could love, and
that I love you with all my heart"
Indeed?" she said, laughing.
"Why, what can there be in me-a
poor, penniiess widow of thirty, to at
tract so handsome and young man as
you"
Unlocking again." he said, appealing
ly. How you love to torture me,
Julia"
excuse me, Mr.. Roberts; I am Julia
only to my nearest and dearest
friends. What is more, I am not mock
ing. What I said was the simple sober
truth"
"What that you are 4 poor, penniless
widow?' he said, laughing.
"Yes," she said. "From this day
forth little annuity of eighty pounds a
year is all 1 have on which to live"
You are joking with me, Mrs Hart
ley," he said, laughing; "but why do
you tell me all this ? What do you sup
pose I care about whether you are rich
or poor? To me you will always be
rich in every virtue, and now once more
listen to my prayer"
"Yes, when have undeceived you"
she said. "Mr. Roberts, it is my duty
to let you know my true circumstances.
feel assured that you have too gener
Gus heart to have approached me
from mercenary motives"
"Thank you, and bless you," he ex-
claimed. "It is you only that love" /"
"Uuder these circumstances, then, /
have concluded, as am poor and the
handsome income have enjoyed goes
from me at once, that it would be un
just to you to accept your generous
offer to make me your wife. We will
remain friends. then, Mr.. Roberts, but
that is ALL"
"Do I understand you arightP" he
exclaimed.
"Perfectly," she replied.
"I shall try and bear it," he said, in a
resigned tone of voice; "but never while
this heart beats shall cease to love you
or to pray for your welfare, dearest Mrs.
Hartley"
"Thank you, Mr.. Roberts," she said,
quietly; and somehow, instead of their
steps taking them farther from the
company, they began to approach them
rapidly, joining a group of ladies, and
in few minutes Mrs. Hartley was with
out cavalier.