Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-11-08
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own verdsnt youth. dared to remark
sneeriugly upon Roland's aeer
"Thirty.fivel" Even il that surmise
was right? At forty-five-at fifty-Rc-
land would still be the grandest, the
noblest man she knew, in outward APP
rearance, as well as in heart, and mind
and soul.
Her guardian-yes. But, standing
in the place Of father to her"-oh,
never could she look upon him in that
light She wished wildly that she
could do so, when thus in an instant,
by chance remark, the veil OF years
was thrown aside forever, and she was
made 10 understand that the feeling
with which she had looked upon her
guardian from childhood was not as
reverent friendship such rs she tsd
supposed. but young girls first pnre
but passionately sdoring love.
She faced the thought courageously
when she was free from her partner.
But her ewes still followed the tall
figure Of Roland Glenn from the quiet
corner in which she had ensconced her
self.
She saw him looking at her, too, now
and then, with an anxious. harassed
expression. And twice she saw the
red-brown eyes Of Miss Isadore Stems
turned upon her with fiery CLEAN of
anger in their depths.
What could she have done to ve1 the
proud beauty and heiress, secure in
the possession Of lover like Roland ?
thought Ina, pitifully, as her head
dropped upon her hand.
And her tired eyes closed n moment,
TO shut out the lights, the crowd, and
the shifting hustle Of that gay circle,
/ in which Roland, once married, would
speedily be engaged, and lost to her
| forever
Mrs. HiIlyard and Ina return ed alone
in the carriage that evening. Roland
remained, and would probably outstay
the last Of the guests, Mrs. Hillyard
observed.
They will be married at Christmas,
suppose" she went on. And then
she will take my place in our home
here, and I shall so back 10 my little
cottage and farm in Orange county,
where | shall expect to see you, Ina,
for loug visit, next summer, il yo1
don't marry some merchant prince and
60 OF TO Europe before then"
Ina made no answer. Nor did she
speak after they reached home, but
buried herself in the pages OF new
English magazine, while Mrs. Hillyari
tro,.ed of up and down stairs, on her
usual tour OF inspection Of bolts and
bars for the night.
As she left the room Ina dropped the
book, and leaned her head upon her
clenched hands. She did not hear the
hall door open softly and close, or see
that some one entered the back draw.
ing,room from the hall. Her whole
soul vas in passionate revolt against the
pain, which when one is so young, and
30 unused to misery seems so utterly
impossible 70 bear.
Oh, father! father why did You
die and leave me in his care e she
soLbed, aloud when at las, the relief OF
tears came. "Oh. if had died with
You or with my mother 1T had never
seen him
Ina-my little darling Ina You
viii be i'll il you so on like this !" said
a voice beside heI-a voice all too
deeply, dangerously dear. Indeed, |
thought YOU looked very i'll at the party,
and | came away directly after you, 10
see what was wrong. What is it, dear
tell ner
The caressing tone, the caressing
touch upon her shoulder, seemed to
drive her wild with anger, grief and
shame.
"Oh, how could ycu-how can You p
she cried, dashing his hand away, and
springing TO her feet. "How little my
poor father and mother could have
known yoql Never to tell me tha.-it
was cowarily! And now that i know
it, to come to me like thisl Oh, do
you think j! is risht?'
at would not be, fit might nor
be-but it is right!' said Mr.. Glenn,
incoherently. IL WAS cowardly, dear
From the time when You came home
from school, knew that loved you.
But was bound and / dared not speak
She Miss Stearns) soon saw differ
encc IN me. She saw you, and grew
jealous; and for three mouths past our
meetings have been only quarels and
chickering's, on your account, Ina. To
night she was angrier than ever. could
not blame her. You were so lovely, dear,
in your simple. pretty ball-dress She
told me that was free, and that she
would at once marry q wealthy stock
broker, who had offered himself to her
a dozen times over. Ina. / took my free
dom, thanking God silently for my de-
live-ance from loveless and unhappy
marriayel / come to You to ask you
instantly to benny wife. Mywhole heart