The Russellville Democrat., 1881-03-03

| your nephew wishes to be released iron ! his engagement"
 it" ''' " " ''i'H " ''S " Pu'
 Yes, or no?" said l. rising.
 '1es" he said, snappishly. | Then, tell your nephew, he is free"
 That's right-that's wise! You see Leonard Is dependent on me-new in his | profession"-
 These are family details which dor concern me" Interrupted, quietly. "You have my answer, Mir. Balliol." "Ies-yes-but l want you to under stand that Leonard"
 Again l interrupted him. T understand everything-I under. stand you both" said "I need not de- tain you any longer"
 He looked fairly murderous with baftled rage.
 stood, waiting for him to go. Hegot up heavily, muttering to himself, and crossed the room.
 "Good-day," he muttered, barely turn ing his head toward me.
 only bowed in response; and he went out, closing the door with bang. In a moment he opened it again, and called Tn harsh, triumphant tone
 "l forgot to tell you-you will have to move next week-the creditors won't wait any longer-there's to be an auction in the house."
 1 only bowed again. He disappeared.
 The stony lethargy which locked my senses did not yield for weeks. I went quietly about my duties, for everything devolved on me; and nothing was neg lected. As soon as my mother could trat-a1 T I1 which she owned in the outskirts of a pretty village, among the Berkshire hills. taking with us such relics from our old home as we were permitted to claim. Fortunately my mothers little fund was settled on herself and children; it could not be touched; nor could she give it up from any mistaken womanly scruples.
 The ensuing two years had passed very quietly. I think my mother would have been content if she could have been at ease about the future of the boys. That troubled her, for we were very, very poor. The neighbors were kind to us. Neither my mother nor were women to be morbid. We made the best of things as bravely as we could
 The MT. Ogilvie who had written the note owned fine country-seat, in the neighborhood and spent the greater DOT tion of his time there. He was growing elderly, but his genial spirits, and culti- vated mind, made him most agreeable companion; and though bachelor, his house was always the headquarters of every plan for the amusement of the young folk.
 He soon became frequent visitor at our cottage; grew, indeed, the most inti- mate friend we possessed; and his thoughtful kindness to us was beyond all praise.
 He appeared on the succeeding after noon at the hour my mother had ap- pointed. l was busy in the schoolroom with the children's lessons. The inter- view lasted so long that I had sent the little ones out to play good while be- fore mamma came up. She was so pale and agitated that l feared Mir Ogilvie had brought evil tidings
 "What is it?" l cried, in dsmay.
 Good news, at least, to me, darling" she said. But do not know what you will think" She looked at me hesitat- ingly, then said; My dear, Mr. Ogilvie wants to marry you"
 Mir. Ogilvie want to marry mel I was so surprised that for time my mind had no room for any other sensation Then I knew that it could never be; knew it as well as if had spent months in earnest deliberation. l suppose I looked white and troubled, for I saw mammals face change; but she only said:
 'lie will come and see you tomorrow You cannot talk. One thingl l shall not try to influence you, my darling You must decide what will be for your own happiness"
 Mir. 0gilvie came the next day; and my mother left me to see him alone. l was nervous when he first entered the room but his gentleness and composure soon caused that to pass; though the sharp bitter pain remained at my heart. saw and appreciated, thoroughly his noble qualities; and the thought of the disap- pointment l must bring to his hopes, hurt me cruelty; made me feel hard and wicked, too, though l knew that was morbid and unmerited. l thought, as looked at him, that he was a man, of whose affection any wom- an might be proud and grateful; it was the face of man who had never in his life committed an action, for which he need blush. The bold, regular features were not so striking because they were | unuSuali9 HduusDlhe, tnOugH lneY were | that as from the evidences of intellect in the broad forehead, the strength of pur- pose and will in every line; but the countenance owned a higher attraction still, that of purity and goodness, so ] beautiful smile l never saw on any.oth- 1 CT human lips.
 should be wrong to say that the worldly advantages he could offer did not weigh with me. They had great weight, and they ought 10 have had, not l from mere selfish motives, but on account of my mother and the children. had spent nearly the whole night in earnest reflection, but my mental combat ended where it began. l could not marry him; it was not only that had no love to give; it was that loved another man. He sat down beside me and said: "Your mother has told yon why have come. l did not want you to be taken completely by surprise! knew you had never thought of this-l have trit q hard to keep my secret, because feared that to speak earlier would interfere with your really learning to know me. l am forty Live years old. For mo to talk to you about love in the way young man might, would make me absurd. But, be- lieye me, Elinor, no man ever had a sin cerer respect and admiration, or warm | CT affection for woman than l have tor you"
 "Please, pleasew l exclaimed. was ! suddenly so near burst of tears that l 1 o,,,IJ r,,lx ,,t4a,. thaua Y.lon Iip ,s-nr1o