Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-12-02
= gleasamt Story.
THORNTON'S WIFE.


Europe only two days when his widowed
mother followed him into the garden,
whittier he had sauntered to enjoy his
er-bredkfast cigar, and coming up with
him laid her hand firmly upon his arm
MY son." she said in her stern,
naughty way, II regret to be obliged to
introduce unpleasant truths SO soon after
your return, but it would be folly for
me not to let you know that your fathers
creditors threaten to forcclose the mort
gage upon this place at no distant day"
A look Of annoyance swept over the
young mans face, but he assumed an in
difference whether he felt it or not
The same old story" he replied; "it
is very awkward. of course, but suppose
they will have to foreclose if they want
to; we can't help ourselves. "
"We must help ourselves /" was his
mothers swift, almost fierce rejoindcr.
Noel removed his cigar from his beard
ed lips, and stared at the speaker.
pray, how are we going to effect this
impossible thing 7" he asked
"You must marry "
The nonchaant air vanished like light
ming, and in its place a haggard, anxious
look came over the handsome face.
81 have no desire to marry" he muir.
INJURED.
"Your marriage is the only means oil
escape from our present difficulties
from ruin"
1T is all very well to talk of my
marrying money" Noel said; but
where am | to find the woman with
money who will"
"Who will marry you ?" interrupted
Mrs. Thornton. IL will undertake tC
supply the want Cicely Howard, the
heiress, is coming to make visit this
week with her cousin, Vivian Gray
Cicely has loved you from childhood up
her income is said to be thirty Thousand
dollars at least Marry her, and save
us from disgrace and poverty"
The proud lady waited for no response
but swept away down the prim box-fring
ed path, and was soon lost to sight be.
meath the luxuriancc of The overhanginl
foliage
Like one in trance, Noel Thornton
sat there in the shadowy arbor, prey tC
the bitterest reflections it was to escape
this very Cicely Howard that he hac
gone to Europe more than year pre-
viously, and in returning he had de
voutly hoped that the girl might hav'
been married out of his way.
But Fate had not thus dtcrccd, an,
the old dread and anxiety settled upoi
him with redoublcd force.
Thus he sat there, lost to his sur
roundings, until his reOerie was sudden
ly disturbed by light step beneath tb'
vines and the rustic of muslin robe
CHANGING up to learn who the ntrude
might be, he started violently as his eye
rested upon the trim figure of pretty lit
tie Rboda Leonard, the gardeners daugh
/ ter.
In an instant he was upon his feet an
had clasped the girls cold white hands
his.
''Rhoda p he exclaimed in an awk
ward way II was coming to see yo
this very morning"
81 would rather you would not com
to the cottage" she said in tremulous
restrained voice IL am here to ask 20
to meet at the old we'll this evening, 70
for, oh, Noel, have something TO sa
to you. You will not refuse me y
She raised her blue eyes then in pltcou
appeal, and for the first time Noel Thorn
ton saw how pale and wan, how like
faded lily she was.
"Hhoda. - he cried, really moved b.
these silent proofs of suffering" dea
child, how i'll you look !"
II have been very, very sick" sh
answered TREMENDOUSLY, 81 have passe
through the valley Of the shadow I
death, but oh, how thankful am that
have lived !"
lie started with sudden suspicion an
glanced fxedly into her downcast face
my mother did not mention your ii
ness" he said ncrvously, "and she toll
me all the news AZ soon as ! arrived"
"No one here knew that was sick
was with my sister in town"
Noel Thornton drew a deep sigh q
relief.
81 will meet you at our old trystiDq
place at o o'clock this evening"" he sal
in strange, husky voice.
But when the appointed hour struc
that night, poor little Rhoda waite
alone at the old well aud no mani
shadow fell athwart the moonlit glad
upon which her eyes rested 80 patiently
Noel Thornton was with his mother
guests. for Cicely Howard and VIVA
Gray bad arrived, but he thought
Rhoda though he could not find the o.