The Osceola times., 1881-03-19

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| baiiled rage.
! stood, waiting for him 10 90. He got
up heavily, mutienng 10 himself, and
crossed the room.
"Good-day,' he muitered, barely turn
ing his head toward me.
| only bowed in response; and he went
out. closing the door with bang. In
moment he opened il again, and called
in harsh, triumphant tone:
81 forgot 10 tell you-yOu will have 10
move next week-the creditors won't
wait any longer-there's to be an auction
in the house"
! only bowed again. lie disappeared.
The stony lethargy which locked my
senses did not yield for weeks. | went
quietly about my duties, for everything
devolved on me; and nothing was neg
lected. As soon as my mother could
travel, we removed TO a little cottage
which she owned in the outskirts of a
pretty village, among the Berkshire hills,
taking with us such relics from our old
home rs we were permitted to claim.
Fortunately my mothers little fund was
settled on herself and children; it could
not be touched nor could she give it up
from any mistaken womanly scruples.
The ensuing two years had passed very
quietly / think my mother would have
| been content if she could have been at
ease about the future Of the boys. That
| troubled her, for we were very, very
poor. The neighbors were kind to us.
| Neither my mother nor ! were women
to be morbid. We made the best of
| things rs bravely as we could.
The Mr.. Ogilvie who had written the
note owned a fine country-seat, in the
neighborhood and spent the greater por-
| ton of his time there. He was growing
elderly, but his genial spirits, and culti-
waited mind, made him most agreeable
companion; and though Il bachelor his
house was always the headquarters Of
every plan for the amusement of the
young folk.
He soon became frequent visitor at
our cottage; grew, indeed, the most init
mate friend We possessed; and his
thoughtful kindness TO MS was beyond all
praise
lie appeared on the succeeding after
noon at the hour my mother had ap-
pointed. ! was busy in the schoolroom
with the children's lessons. The inter-
view lasted SO long that | had sent the
little ones out to play good while be-
fore mamma came mp. She was $50 pale
and agitated that ! feared Mr.. Ogilvie
had brought evil tidincs.
what is it?" ] cried, in dismay.
"Goud news, at least, 10 me. darling
she said. "But do not know what YOU
will think She looked at me hesitat-
ingly, then said; "My dear, Mr.. Ogilvie
wants to marry you
Mr.. Ogilvie want to marry me, ] was
so surprised that for q time my mind
had no room for any other sensation.
Then | knew that il could never be;
knew it as well as if had spent months
in earnest deliberation. | suppose !
looked white and troubled, for | saw
mammals face change; but she only
said
Gle will come and see you tomorrow.
You cannot talk. One thingl | shall
not try to influence You, my darling.
You must decide what will be for your
own happiness"
Mr.. Oglvie came the next day; and my
mother left me TO see him alone. was
nervous when he first entered the room;
but his gentleness and composure soon
caused that To- pass: though the sharp.
bitter pain remained at my heart. ! saw
and appreciated, thoroughly. his noble
qualities: and the thought Of the disap-
pointment ! must bring 10 his hopes,
hurt me cruelty: made me feel hard and
wicked, too, though | knew that was
morbid and unmerited.
thought, as looked at him. that he
! was m9n, Of whose affection any wom-
an might be proud and grateful; it was
the face of man who had never in his
| life committed an action. for which he
need blush The bold, regular features
were not so striking because they were
unusually handsome, though they were
| that as from the evidences OF intellect in
the broad forehead, the strength Of pur-
pose and will in every line; but the
| countenancc owned higher attraction
still, that of purity and goodness, 50
! beautiful a smile never saw on any'Oth-
/ er human lips.
| | should be wrong 10 say that the
worldly advantages he could offer did
not weigh with me. They had great
weight, and they ought to have had, not
! from mere selfish motives, but on account
of my mother and the children. | had
/ spent nearly the whole night in earnest
| reflection, but my mental combat ended
| where il began. could not marry him;
| it was not only that | had no love to give;
| it was that | loved another man,
He sat down beside me and said
Your mother has told yon why have
come. / did not want You to be taken
completely by surprise! | knew you had
never thought Of this--I have trit d hard
to keep my secret, because | feared that
to speak earlier would interfere with
your really learning to know me. am
/ forty-live years old. For me to talk 10
| you about love in the way a young man
might, would make me absurd. But, be-
lieve me, Elinor, no man ever had sin
cerer respect and admiration, or warm
er affection for woman than ! have Tor
YOU
please. pleasem | exclaimed. | was
suddenly 50 near a burst of tears that
could only utter these pleading words.
He grew a little pale, but his voice was
steady as he asked;
"Then il seems to you that it cannot
be-"
/ / shook my head. lie sat silent, look
ing at me, thoughtfully, kindly, till
had mastered my agitation enough to
| speak.
81 am 50 grateful to you," | answered;
81 feel honored, knowing the man that
you are-but | cannot-I cannotw
Then ! broke down, and wept Il little,
and he soothed NE, as patiently as if he
had been my brother.
"Don't make me think that | distress
You" he said u would not do that for
the world! Elinor, perhaps it is too soon
for you TO decide-you have not had time
Ia ranpct -