The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-12-23

that length of time for me? Auntie's
sister has promised to be here by that
time--she is in India now, you know
and then, then, dear, shall be wholly
and always yours to do as you like, and
go where you choose"
She leaned her head against her Low.
er's heart as he stood by her chair, and
as Louis felt the gentle pressure, IL
thrilled him through. But far from
causing him to yield to her argument.
the passionate love in his heart rebslled
all the more at the prospect of delay in
the longed-for union with his sweet be-
trothed.
Still it cannot be denied that the man
felt himself honestly, in the depths of his
heart, to be in the wrong, and he honor.
ed Mable the more for her faithful devO-
ton To her widowed aunt But mar.
ring the otherwise noble character OF
Louis Grant was an obstinacy which
linked itself closely with false pride,
and his own happiness, with the happi-
ness of another, was wrecked against
the two traits.
So, disregarding all considerations
save that one selfish desire Of TO have
for his very own-with neither aunt OF
cousin to stand between him and bis
love-the beautiful girl whose place
in his heart none other could fill,
Louis determined to try one more plan
to win her over TO his view of the dis
cussion.
After pause, during which the sun.
beams had departed, and the first faint
shadows of twilight began 10 creep in
and about the room, the young man
spoke again:
You argue the case well, Mabel,
truly, but / cannot see, for all your
words. that your aunt or cousin have q
claim upon you superior to that of your
betrothed husband And if you still
persist in giving me up for the gratitica-
| ton of Il foolish whim -"
..Oh, Louis!' reproachfully, from
Mabel; but he disregarded the Interrupt
ton and went on:
why, then, don't see that can do
anything more than simply bid you
gcod-by and gor'
Mable lifted her head and looked full
into her lovers face.
Give you up? Can't we see each
other every day, Louis? And do you
think woman whose heart could so
readily turn from those who have a
natural claim upon her love would be
worth your love? Answer me, DEAR"
the tender smile came back to her lips;
.'answer me truly, would you love me if
l were so ungrateful and unloving to
auntie?'
| Don't argue any more about the
matter, Mabel" was the impatient re-
ply, as Louis again had recourse to
drumming upon the windOw-pane.
Presently, finding that Mabel oblig-
ingly gratified his desire, and ceased
from further words. he spoke again.
If you think you will ever find an
other love as devoted rs mine has been,
/ wish you success; but for my part,
shall never find one to love as have
loved your
Here poor Mabel. who had striven hard
to restrain her tears. TREMENDOUSLY re-
piled.
Have loved, Louis? Is it, then. al
ready thing of the past?
.NO-by heaven nor exclaimed the
impulsive fellow, once more going 10 the
girl and putting his arms about her, and
looking intently into the dear eyes which
met his gaze stead-fastly, but had this
time no smile in their depths.
Only say you will marry me next
month, my sweet Mabel, and you shall
see what wealth of love Louis Grant
will pour upon his little wife! Will you,
Mabel-will you?'
Nobody could coax as winningly as
Louis, and Mabel had often told him
laughingly that she doubted if even
a stone could resist, should he try his
cOaXing powers upon it. But though il
was hard to resist him now, and al
though his blue eyes looked so plead
ingly and lovingly into hers, yet she had
no choice but 10 put the temptation
away and answer as before.
.'Oh, dear Louis, can't-you know
can not! II hurts me, too, dear" she
added; it almost breaks my heart to re-
fuse your slightest wish, but-but we
must wait year longer!' Then, seeing
him about to speak, and marking the
lines deepening on his forehead, she laid
her hand upon his shoulder. Now,
listen, Louis; with my whole heart
love you, and shall never wed any man
save you, whether you leave me for a
new love or no. But you must believe
this dear; neither your love or your
anger can alter my resolution in regard
to that which know to be my duty.
owe all have, all / am, to the dear
| uncle whose failure and death have left
us now in straitened circumstances. Do
you think | would desert auntie? You
ought to know me better, Louis! If you
remain ut home, and let us board with
my aunt. it would be different; ! would
marry you gladly. But you are determ-
ined TO 90 at once to Europe. You say
| that YOU will not consent to live near
relatives who may share my affections
with you. So what can do but ask
YOU to be patient, and wait until l can
leave home? You jealous, exacting, dear
Louis, tell me you will be good and take
back your unkind wordsr' She drew
his head down TO her and kissed him
tenderly, adding, IL do not know which
is the more spoiled boy, you or my little
| Harryr'
But Louis moved away.
dearly as l love you, i sciu not
yield. You are sending me away.
Very well; I'll 60. And if your heart
should learn which of us, your aunt or
your lover, it longs for more, you will
not be long in sending for me, or in dis
covering way to make your amt happy
without. at the same time, making your
lOrer miserable.
He took up his hat and turned toward
the door. The hot blood mounted to
Mabeps brow. She stood up and folded
her hands tog ether. The glitter of her
engagement-ring caught her gaze, and
| she. made an impulsive movement to
draw it off, but changed her mind and
stood silently, yet haughtily, waiting
| the end.
Louis came back from the door, and
stood beside the window with drawn,
white face, longing in his heart that
| Mabel would offer some word of peace
to break the continued silence. And
ere long she spoke, but not the words
Louis longed for.
II am going upstairs; have you any
thing further to sayP"
He turned and looked ut her. How
sweet and fair she was, this girl, whose
power over his heart he could not but
confess was wonderfully strong and
| winsomei
The black mourning robe was re-
lieved from sombreness by the soft,
| white ruffle at throat and wrists. Her
gold-brown hair fell in little waves over
| the white brow, and the beautiful gray
| eye-sso full of tears-were turned full
upon Louis's face as she awaited reply
to her question.
Giving her up, thought he, mean.