American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-06-25

dispensed with; but the new love out
shone the old.
: II am glad that YOU are willing for
me to go. But, father, you will not
forget Inc or learn to love me less while
1 am awayp''
: My dear boy, while your mother 8
love shines in your face, how can Il
love you less? Shall l tell you one
thing which | have never told you be-
fore, Ross?' =
- at is this -that love YOU far better
| than any one else in the word-f;m bet
Fter Ihave to keep peace with my
dear wife; but, Ross, - Jour mother
twas dearest, so are you dearest in all
the world to me-" {.
No one but Lean understood the sor-
row and pain that made Ross heart so
sore. 1t was not loss of money or land,
nor was it that he saw his INHERITANCE
in jeopardy. 1t was because he was
| leaving all who loved him, and going
abroad among strangers. He believed
| implicitly what his father had told&km
! that he loved him hest; sbut hSssaw
7 also that he.had not The courage of
| his opinions, that he stood in awe Of
her iadyship, and did not care to thwart
| her. =
Ross thoughts were sad ones as he
stood that summer evening gazing on
&, the countless beauties of his beloved
home.
s.How little one knows what life may
bringr' he said. 1.-TWO years ago,
when stood here, L could never, have
dreamed but that /, and no one else,
should succeed to Larchton Mere. How
happy we were, my dear father and /!
The shadow ofsa stranger had not then
darkenedr our threshold; and now am
leavina home to save ny independence
andsmaifliness- am leaving il, al un-
certain Of my return,
"A Wrafm, white hand touched his, D
lovely face bentsover Him. and a sweet
voice said: - S.
2 :Ross, lef me look ats your face. at
your eyes. All. ECU dare mott sThere
are tears in them. Why are they
therep" - .s.s
s. "a have been so happy an my life at
home. dearest" he answered. that 4
cannot help feeling sorry q haye it.
and everything is so uficertain as to my
nettfrn.. L feel that Shall never return
to the glad old life that sknew no cafe.
The only light that comics to me IL my
darkness comes from you, Leam.'
The dream of his manhood Mad come
true.s Heshad won forhis wife. the girl
and Il was settied that when Ross re-
turned from Spain, they should be,
married; but in the meantime, for many
reasons, Lady Cumnor was to know
nothing of the arrangement.
III she knows it, fatf6F," Ross had
said, "she will annoy and vex Lean in
everyway. because she is mine. Moth
ing need be said shout it,suntil my re-
turn; and then no oflessh HSlaurt. hArn
So that their betrotliI WIS 41o wns only
to themselves and Sir Austen.
The girl drew nearer to him.
: 'tDos not lose hearts Dearest she
said. Would that L could place my
self between you and every troubler'
Il forget my troubles, Leani, when
l look at you. 3 can only hold your
sweet hands in mine and thank Heaven
that you have been given to mes's 80
:; - thank Heaven, too, if 4 am any
comfort" she answered.
Comfort? Oh, my darling, that is
a weak word! You are hope, Joy and
gladness. You are everything that the
world holds bright, beautiful and dear.
Oh, Lean, do not feel any jealousy of
my fathers wife-none!. But cam
not help wishing that no stranger had
ever crossed the Threshold of our happy
..Then 1 should never have come,
Ross.n
cTrne; sptt NpuR rater maze 1ad-
a horMaflds time6 more Nm with the
happiness you have brought me than
have had no palm at all and20ot such
happiness But, Lean, sfanc if my
dear fatherwcret the SirAusten II three
years ago, we could be married now
and make Larchton Mere our home
? d" Yes; lint it is of no use thinking of
what might have been, Ross. Let us
fix our thoughts clearly upon what is
and what will be. Do you go as you in
tended, early tomorrow"
!" Yes-early tomorrow, my9darling.
How shall l leave youP"
with a light heart and fnll of hope"
she said, /" linking more OF our meet
ing than our parting"
- am afraid, Lean, that you will
not be very happy. Lady Cumnor will
not be any kinder to you"
Il shall not care for THAI Ross.n she
said" not in the least. take all that
she says and does very quietly am
getting fond of little Hugh; he is the
sweetest child, l think, that ever drew
BREATH"
81 love him, too" said Ross. 81
do not feel--indeed, how could Pin |
any way envious or jealous of that beau
tifuf baby boy. Lean, tell you every
thing; $50 i tell you this. / knew that |
should start early TOMORROW morniAg
and could not see the little one again; |
SO l went to his nursery this afternoon,
and.sI assure you that ths;sight OF the |
Htte golden head. the rosy cheeks and |
the little chubby hands almost broughta
into my eyes. He looked 30 \
ti1S, soshelpless, So dependent on 9TH
era l am half ashamed to tell you
what Idid-but Imust tell you, Lean.
All at once it seemed to flash upon me
that it was mysown little brother who
aYthere, my fathers son; and | knclt !
down. by his -cradle-side. Il took his
two Tiny hands in mine and swore, no
matter what came to pass, | would al |
ways be his friend. The child smiled |
Just as though he understood. After
That there is no fear that L could ever
be jealous of little Hugh"
The girls arms were laid round his
neck; and her lovely face dropped on
his shoulder.
- 1t was just like you, Ross she
said - enoble-hearted and generous.
Some would be furiously Jealous, even of
such a baby brother i shall love him
u the more now that l know. yotl Iowa
h llI1, "a. II
!. 80 Z. Let us talk about you now. Lean.
tclt me how you are going to love me
while | am away, and how often YOU
will write to me. Come, sweet
heart, where the roses are blooming.1
md teli me again YOU love me and will
ne my wife"