The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-01-06

forcing q nervous laugh. 81 shall be
gone for two or three years, perhaps, and
will leave much sooner than I expected
tomorrow, in fact. You will give me
a solemn promise to wait for me, darl-
ing? will write often, and come home
once or twice q year to see you, and
when / finish, we will marry and settle
down in the beautiful city of P, and
I hope will have long and happy life
together. You will wait for me?" he
repeated, looking earnestly into her
face.
"T will wait until die, Philip" she
replied.
'God bless you, darling" he said,
kissing her now pale cheeks, which again
became crimson-dyed. "You shall not
regret it."
As twilight began to deepen into night
Philip arose, and, giving Mabel his arm
they walked along the winding river.
The night birds sang softly, and the
stars began to glimmer one by ono in
their azure setting. Their words were
few, but the heart of each was filed with
love for the other. At last they parted
in silence on the banks Of tho lonely
river. Her cheeks were wet with the
tears that were beyond her control. Lit
tie thought they Of the possible severing
of faith, the blighting of love that
had grown with their growth, until il
had now ripened into perfection.
The uncertain future is wisely con-
cealed from us; only our present duties
are plain.
Philip went to the city, and Mabel de-
voted herself with her usual patience to
her home duties. She heard frequently
from Philip, and was contented and
happy. ~ -. qsls -fl. +:
During the summer the old inn was
as usual filed with city boarders,
amongst whom one Mr.. Percy Claire
was making quite a sensation in the
neighborhood. He was a widower of
about forty-five. For the last three
years he had been travelling abroad. On
his return, before settling down to city
life, he had concluded to rushcate in this
quiet neighborhood for rest for himself
and a good time for his two little sons.
He was well educated, superior man,
of large means and prominent position.
His elegant appearance and naughty
manners won for him the awe and admi-
ration of the people of the place. and the
farmers daughters were anxious by
their charms to induce him to marry and
locate in the neighborhood. Mabel had
heard much of Mr.. Claire but had not
felt the least interest in him. One even
| ing as she was returning from the vii
iage, whittier she had been making few
purchases, she met an elegant looking
gentleman leading by the hand a little
boy. From the description she ha<'.
heard, she at once recognized him as
Mr.. Claire. She felt embarrassed by the
1 49, /,
her face. The next evening she heard q
opening it found, to her astonishment.
the gentleman there. He bowed low to
her, introducing himself as Mr.. Claire,
Ipologizing for the call, saying in vindi-
cation that, che had been informed
that Mr.. Vaughn had an idea of selling
his place, and took the liberty to call and
see if there was any truth in the report,
as he was so much pleased with this
| part of the country that he had conclu-
ded to purchase farm where he and the
boys might ruralizs for the summers"
Mabel blushed deeply at the remarks
of the stranger, and informed him that
"she was very sorry to be forced to
acknowledge that the reports were cor
rect"
The truth was, Mr.. Vaughn, who was
always in pecuniary embarrassments,
had lately lost heavily, and as Mr.. Adair
(who was his friend in nee0 at last had
become out of patience with him, he
would either be forced to sell now, or
the property would be sold for him, as
there was no way of raising the large
amount due. Mr.. and Mrs. Vaughn
were absent, trying to persuade Mr..
Adair to assist them out of their diff
culties, but this time he was memorable.
Mr.. Claire was delighted at the op-
portunity of awaiting their return.
'You would regret, Miss Vaughn" he
said, ''to leave the old placer"
eyes, sir; it is our home. We children
have all been born here, and we have the
most pleasant and tender associations
connected with the dear old place. ]
shall be very unhappy if we are forced
to leave it.
'You may not be forced to 60. Often
when we are on the verge of some pain.
full misfortune, kind Providence inter
poses, and we are extricated from on
painful position"
"Those are romantic events" replied
Mabel 'fWe read of them in novels
but they seldom occur in real life"
Reality, Miss Vaughn, is stranger
than fiction, and allow me to predic
that something will occur to preven
your leaving the old place"
'"That, sir, would be making us all tot
happy"
On the return Of her parents, Mabel
quickly withdrew. Mr.. Vaughn was de
lighted with his distinguished guest
who promised to call the next da to-
look over the farm. He came not onl,
then, but on many succeeding days
until Mabel began to think it was herself
not the farm, In which he was most in
terested This caused her alarm, ant
she tried to avoid the assiduous stranger
She had often rejoiced in her beauty TO
Philips sake. She now turned from he
mirror with pain, regarding it as he
greatest misfortune.
Mr.. Claire would not see her indif
ference, but kept persistently visitin,
the old farm, and overwhelming her witt
costly presents. At last he frightene,
, her with an offer, which she positivel.
! declined. He expected this, and went t
J her parents, telling them that he love
their daughter, and if she could be in
: duced to wed him, he would pay off tn
entire indebtedness of the farm, and assis
them out Of all embarrassments for tn
future.
: Mr.. and Mrs. Vaughn were at thi
time very indignant at their neighbor fo
not assisting them, and considered MI
/ Claire's position as quite blessing.
8 'It will be all right, sir, I am sure,
3 replied the delighted father. Unable
q noble girl. She will love you as yo
deserve, and in turn you will find her q
, good as she is fair.
After his departure they explaine'
their embarrassed situation to her, an
begged that she would accept MI
, Claire's brilliant offer.
I '1 can not !" Mabel cried with O wal
of despair. sit would kill me. Yo
! know that love Philip, and have mad
= him the most sacred rromise Wins