The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-04-12
Selert Story.
SIR HUBERTs WIFE.

4tCNoi IL
"Most willingly, Sir Hubert" and
Mrs. Trevor's handsome, patrcian face
flushed with a glow of qualification as
she signified ber consent to Sir Hubert
Glyndun's prayer for her daughters
hand, "believe me, there is 20 one
would more willingly trust with Lllian's
happiness"
A deep breath OF relief escaped Sil
Hubert, but his face darkened and cloud.
I'd over little as he spoke again.
ut shall be the object of my life tc
prove that your trust is not undeserved,
be said, "if LiIianaccepts me-"
"Ifw Mrs. Tr evor broke in, with .
slight accent OF surpris e. why dc
you doubt it? ?"
81 hardly dare hope" he answered
.She is so youny-I am so much hei
seuior-and l have fancied sometimes
that It is selfish in me to wish to bind
our lives together, that"
"Ah! why will you do yourself so
much injustice ?" said Mrs. Trevor, in
ierrupting him once more, little petu.
lantly, for she could not understand his
scruples s.She is but child, certainly
with chiId's heart-mv little Lillian
Ynu need have no fear, Sir Hubert. She
loves you now. When you are her hus-
band, she will love you better
So spoke Mrs Trevor, Lilian's moth.
er, and she believed that she spoke for
her daughters good.
True, there has been foolish romance
connected with the summer just pest. A
strolling artist had been struck by he
SWEET q ,wer face. and had asked permis
sion to transfer it to his canvas. The
foolish mother had conse ted. She
deemed Lillian indeed only child.
through long, sunshlny hours she and
The artist had strolled together. or she
had sat patient while he had painted the
Young, lovely face, until one day-ol
rather just in that wonderful time wher
day was not yet ended, and evening has
begun mingling its shadows with the
fieeting sunbeams--little Lillian listened
with fast beating heart, to a story new
aud strange.
This artist loved her and wished hel
FOR his wife. She heard with the timidi
|ty OF timid fawn his passionate ex
pressions Of endearment. They fright
ened even while they filed her soul will
tumul,uous Joy.
II will teach you to love me, littl
one" he said. .Cnme, will you not g
with me 70 your mother, that may asl
her to give you to me p
| And shyly, with crimson blush, sh
had placed her little futtering hand i
his, and let him lead her whittier b
would.
She had hardly had time to realize be
Ijoy before 1t had ended; for her mothe
had listened IN frowning amsze. Th
artist was poor. He had but his art an
his ambition. What were both to ba
auce Liian's dowerp
| Take courage, darling, and be tru
Ito me-" be whispered IN his short leav
taking. II GO to make the fortune
have hitherto despised, but which now
covet for your sweet sake. With it
will return to claim You. Let me fu
You little Lillian"
| And the child, amid her sobs. hs
promised all he asked.
Yet now-now. when the little gree
blades of grass we're springing up,
hide from sight the bare brown earth, AN
the birds singing to each other their lo'
songs in the trees, and the breath (
spring heralded the coming of anoth'
summer, her mother had come to her an
said:
IL have found lover for you LiIia
He is good and rich, my child. See
Lii that YOU do not mention to him la
years folly." y
IA lover, mamma?" the girl had al
swered .sOh, have you forgotten ?"
81 have forgotten all, as must 20
You. will obey me, and later you vi
thank me-"
The young face grew very pale.
"Is It not honorable that he sbou
know, mamma ?" Lillian had said
"He shall hear all that is necessal
from me"
.He will not want me-" thought Il
girl, "when he knows that ! have no To-
to give him."