The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-03-23

maze Olilt1 1IEdlAcillciiiS. anu ut
had written that although he would
be stationary in New York thereaf'
ter, he was coming back. to marry
her and bring her to her home in
the new world. AT the time set fol
his arrival, however, he had sent q
letter instead, saying an attack Of
illness prevented his coming, but
he was now convalescent, though
the physicians said he must not
take the voyage for some time.
"When | got that letter." said
Lola, Il could do nothing but cry
and fret for the first two or three
days. ] did not eat or sleep, and
nv aunt, whom / lived with, said |
would die, and was very hard and
cross. l was utterly wretched, un-
til one night as | lay thinking il
over / resolved that | would go to
him. He had once, half-hesitating-
ly, suggested it, saying itwould save
so much expense, and he is not al
all well off; but it had frightened
me SO that he gave it up, saying he
would spend all he had. sooner than
give me the anxiety and trouble oI
such voyage. But now-now that
he was i'll and alone-I could think
no longer Of my dread; indeed, ii
was gone, and all | thought of was
to 90 to him, and comfort and nurse
and take care of him. SO | got my
aunt's consent, though she would
not give it at first, and ] took the
very next steamer. And see how
easy and pleasant it has beenl he
need not have been afraid for me
but then, lie could not know, and
neither could /. that | should find
you!"
Her ardent tone and look. as she
said these last words. thrilled me
strangely. It was a spontaneous
affectionate outburst that panied
while ii caressed me. And beside
my own personal feeling, dreadful
misgiving about her weighed or
my heart. She was so confident, Sc
full oftrust-what if she should be
deceived in this MAJ What if the
attack of illness were a mere subter-
fuge? Such things had been. ]
turned hot and cold at the mere sug-
gestion. / asked her lovers name
but it was unknown TO me, though
the name of the house he represent
ed was familiar. But that went for
nothing as to the personal character,
and the fear that this might be
treacherous made me sick with
dread. What would be the end, il
my apprehensions proved correct?
What would become of the poor
child? A wild thought suggested
Itself. 1t was a strange mixture OF
deep pity, for her and deep JOY, tenn
pered with pain and yet sweet with
hope, for myself.
At last the voyage Was over, and
the realization of this fact made nae
unaccountably sad. For Lola was
dearer to me every day. In LEI
little attacks of illness, which she
had not altogether escaped, | had
carried her about in my arms, like
a child. and she had leaned on me
and looked up to me with Il childish
confidence and trust that was un-
speakably sweet to the lonely old
bachelor whose attitude toward
this young girl had seemed TO touch
his age and world WEAKNESS with {
magic wand that had made them
drop from me like a garment.
Lola and | stood together on the
deck, all our bags and parcels strap
ped and ready for moving. She hao
not told her lover she was coming
and of course he would not meet
..her. | reproached her for not hav
ing telegraphed, feeling a strange re-
Iluctance to 20 and hunt him up
but she answered simply that she
could not afford it. All her money
was required for the voyage, and
Besides she added, quickly blush.
ing like a rose, Il wanted to give
him the JOY of the surprise"
And If, | said, reluctantly, IF he
should not be here, or anything
have YOU not money to return ?'
But he is bound to he here no.
thing like that could happen. And
lii he were away | should wait until
he returned. / have no money tc
90 home if should want to, but
there's not much danger of my
wanting"
Heavensl what trust, what ex-
auisite feeling, what beautiful be-
lief in lovel And if he should prove
unworthy
When we stepped ashore, Lola
and | got into carriage, which | or
dered TO take US to a hotel. She LET
me arrange everything just as !
chose, and we had agreed to go to-
gether to the hotel, and then / was
to find her lover and send him to
her.
saw her safely seated in her lit
tie parlor, and then, as it was early
morning, [ ordered a dainty break
fast there and we ate it tete-a-tete.
| don't think either had much ap-
petite, though ! taxed nay wits to
the uttermost on the menu and had
even given lavish order for flowers.
| tried to think of everything that
could give her pleasure, for / felt al
most certain OF an impending ca
lamity and ] looked again and
again into her sweet face trying to
fix its look of happiness in my
mind. And she was happy Her
voice was joyous as lark's and her
face was as radiant as day. ! would
fain have fingered a while to bask
in this bright sunshine, but she was
feverishly impatient and eager that
II should be gone. ] think she
grudged me the boon of seeing him
first, for she made me promise that
| would not tell him of her presence,
but bring him back with me under
some pretext if found him well
and return and take her to him il
he was Ill. In either event, she
had settled ii in her mind that they
were to be married that very day.
When | was ready TO go l went
up to her and took her hand in
mine. lola" said, whatever