The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-01-06

Will leave much sooner than expected
tomorrow, in fact. You will give me
solemn promise to wait for me, darl-
ing? I will write often, and come home
once or twice 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
ST will wait until I 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 one in
few, but the heart of each was filled 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 q love that
had grown with their growth, until il
had now ripened into perfection.
The uncertain future iss 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.
! 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 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 rusticate in this
| quiet neighborhood for rest for himself
and 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 a few
purchases, she met an elegant looking
! gentleman leading by the hand little
boy. From the description she haC.
heard, she at once recognized him as
Mr.. Claire. She felt embarrassed by the
gaze of evident admiration he fixed upon
her face. The next evening she heard a
knock on the front hall door, and on
opening it found, to her astonishment.
the gentleman there. He bowed low to
her, introducing himself as Mr.. Claire,
lpologizing for the call, saying in vindi-
cation that, she 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 ruralize 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 need) at last had
become out of patience with him, he
would either be forced to sell now, OF
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 inexorable.
Mr. Claire was delighted at the op-
portunity of awaiting their return.
s'You would regret, Miss Vaughn" " he
said, ''to leave the old place?"
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 go. Often
when we are on the verge of some pain
full misfortune, kind Providence inter
poses, and we are extricated from ou
painful position.
sHThose are romantic events, replied
Mabel. eve read of them in novels
but they seldom occur in real life"
"Rea1ity, Miss Vaughn, is strange
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 to-
happy"
On the return of her parents, Mabe
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 IL
terested. This caused her alarm, an
she tried to avoid the assiduous stranger
She had often rejoiced in her beauty fc
Philips sake. She now turned from he
mirror with pain, regarding it as he
greatest misfortune.
Mr.. Claire would not see her indi
ference, but kept persistently visitin
the old farm, and overwhelming her wit
costly presents. At last he frightene
, her with an offer, which she positivel
declined. He expected this, and went
her parents, telling them that he love
their daughter, and If she could be il
{ duced to wed him, he would pay off tt
l entire indebtedness of the farm, and ASST
l them out of all embarrassments for th
future.
3 Mr.. and Mrs. Vaughn were at tn
j, time very indignant at their neighbor +,
not assisting them, and considered NJ
q Claire's position as quite blessing.
'1t will be all right, sir, 1 am sure
replied the delighted father. "Mable
noble girl She will love you as yo
deserve, and in turn you will find her I
:, good as she is fair"
? After his departure they explaine
their embarrassed situation to her, ar
begged that she would accept M
Z Claire's brilliant offer.
81 can not !" Mabel cried with wa
n of despair. SIT would kill me. Yc
d know that I love Philip, and I have mat
l. him the most sacred promise. VIII
would he think of me? Oh, shou
Z make him so wretched, and be myself
Mr.. and Mrs. Vaughn could not III
Z s-l !: