Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-08-18

uefstoou my "lshesi ne PAID too great re-
spect to them really think you ought
to forgive him.
"You may say that l forgive him en-
tirely. In fact do not know that have
any right to be angry with him.
-0h. yes, you have. He had no right 10
60 so far and then turn hack. Now do
tell me one thing-had you any liking for
himY"
Lucy blushed crimson. 1t cost her a
struggle, but she said Il liked him very
much indeed"
Il admire your sincerity; then tell me
whether if he had offered at that time,
you would have accepted himf"
"Sir Richard, it is Of no use to talk Of
this now! He did not offer TO me. He
told me then that he could not give up his
chances of advancement for my sake. He
took his line then. and l, of course, accept
ed it. Nothing could ever make Inc feel
for him now as did before"
Mot when you hear what tell your"
mo, not when / hear what you tell
me-"
al think that if you saw him-if you
heard his justification from his own lips
-
II have his letter. I never could like
him again after reading that. 1 must ask
you to say no more on this subject. My
mind is made up. Nothing can change
mer
"He really was most confounded fool"
said Sir Richard, heartily. ale wrote
that letter without consulting me. People
call me cross old curmudgeon; but 1
am certain of one thing, and that is that
l can take a generous view far more
quickly than they can. Well. but child,
don't be so very firm and decided Peo-
pie stiffen themselves up,and think it very
grand and fine to be unforgiving, when
little kindness and generosity would be
for their own happiness too"
81 could never be happy with anyone
l did not respect, and l do not respect
him."
"lf you saw him. you might believe
him, when you do not believe me-"
Il do believe you, but you have said
nothing to make me alter my opinion of
the past. 1t is past-leave it-let us say
no more about it."
But want you to be my niece" plead
ed Sir Richard. "You will be coming
down to Litchtield some day soon, won't
you?"
"les, but you must excuse me if l de-
cline to see your nephew when am
there"
"Oh. no, now don't be so hard! 1t is
not your real nature to be so. can see
that
This was true. Lucy's heart was plead
ing Sir Richards cause with all its might
She found the battle a very hard one.
"fou will be happier if you do as 1 ask
you,' said he.
"Oh! please Sir Richard, leave me-"
cried poor: Lucy, piteously. "You must not
say any more-indeed 1 will never see
him again
He left her, and hardly had he gone be-
fore she flung herself into corner of the
sofa and sobbed convulsively-t strain
had been almost beyond her strength
Before many minutes had passed, the
door opened once more. Lucy did not
look up; her eyes were full of tears, her
heart very sore, her head very weary;
her only thought was, "He has come
back. Oh! I cannot, cannot bear to go
through all that again. How cruelr
Some one came towards her, flung him
self on his knees took her hand. She
turned and looked through her tears-it
was Robert Merivale himself!
"Lucy, my dear, dear Lucy, you do love
me little! You are crying. You are
unhappy. Have some pity on me. Have
some belief in me. have loved you, and
you only, ever since first saw you"
Then she sprang to her feet, and tore
her hand away from him. 'Spare mew
she said family. "Why are you here?"
81 ought to be here! Lucy, you are not
happy"
II know am not. 1 do not deny it,
said she.
"You do love me little, Lucy"
II know do"
"Ah! Thank God! My uncle made
me so wretched. He said there was no
hope for me; but there is chance of hap
piness yet"
"Not in the way you mean. I never
can forgive what happened at Hazelwood!
1t is cruel of you to give me this pain
You ought not to have come here! I've
been trying to overcome what felt for
you. I was getting over it-and now you
come and shall have to begin afresh."
"No, you shall not begin. You own you
love me little. love you most passion
ately! My darling Lucy, let us love each
other and be happy"
81 happy with you, after that letter.
"How cruel to remind me! Don't you
know that it was written wholly and sole
ly because
"Oh!' cried Lucy. "spare me all that!
I know it so well.''
"But, Lucy, you must have seen that I
loved you,"
"Valuable love. indeed" cried Lucy.
"1t was true-you were not much more
than girl when I..tirst saw you; loved
you then, and have loved you ever since!
So helpme God, l have not known hap
py hour since last saw you" He saw
movement of impatience and disbelief,
and cried, "You do not believe mel tell
you nearly shot myself one night lately!
should have done it if it had not been
for my uncle. He said he would come and
talk to you."
"No talking can change me,' said Lucy.
"Lsten to the feeling in your own heart,
which tells you to forgive me and to love
me--you know you would be happier if
you yielded-Dear Lucy you do not know