The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-14
SIR HUBERT'S WIFE.

sent to Sir Hubert Glyndon's prayer for her
daughters hand, "believe me, there is no one
would more willingly trust with Lilian's
happiness"
4 deep breath OF relief escaped Sir Hubert
but his face darKened and cloudcd over Ill
tie as he spoke again.
at shall be the object of my life to prove
that your trust is not undeseryed," he SAID, III
Lillian accepts me-"
"Ifm Mrs. Trevor broke IN, with slight
accent of surprise "Why do you doubt it,"
II hardly dare hope" he answered. she Is
so young-I AIN so much her senior-and
have fancIed sometimes that 1t is selfish In me
to wish to bind our lives together, that"
"Ah! why will you do yourself SO much In
justlce," said Mrs Trevor, interrnpting him
once more, little petulantly, for she could not
understand his scruples. "She is but child,
certainly, with chid's heart-my little Llli-
an You need have no fear, Sir Hubert She
loves you now. When you are her husband,
she will love you better"
SO spoke Mrs. Trevor, Lilian's mother, and
she believed that she spoke for her daughter
good.
True, there had been a foolish romance con
nected with the summer just past A strolllng
artist had been struck by TIE sweet ilowerface,
and had asked permission to transfer 1t TO his
canvas. The foolish mother had consented,
She deemed Lillian indeed only child.
Through long, sunshiny hours she and the
artist had stroled together, or she had sat pa
tient while he had painted the young, lovely
face, until one day,-Or rather just in that
wonderful time when day was not yet ended,
and evening has begun mnglng its shadows
with the fleeing sunbeams-lIttle Lillian lis
tened with fast beating heart, to a story new
and strange.
This artist loved her and wished her Tor his
wife. She heard with the tmldty OF the tlmid
fawn his passionate expressions OF ehdearment.
They frightened even while they filled her
soul with tumultuous Joy.
II will teach you to love me, little one" he
had SAID. Come, will you not go with me
to your mother, that may ask her to give you
to me-"
And shyly, with a crimson blush, she had
placed her little tluttcriDg hand in his and let
him lead her whittier he would.
She had hardly had time to realize her joy
before il had ended; for her mother had lis.
tened in frowning amqze The artist was poor,
He had but his art and his ambition. What
were both to balance Lillan's dowerY
Take courage, darling, and be true to me, "
he whispered in his short leave taking. Il go
to make the fortune | have hitherto desplsed,
but which now | covet for your sweet sake.
With it will return to claim you. Let me
find you little Lillian"
And the child, amid her sobs had promised
all he asked.
Yet now-now, when the little green blades
of grass we're springiDg up to hide from sight
the bare brown EARTH and the birds singing to
each other their love songs IN the trees, and
the breath of spring heraldcd the coming of
another summer, her mother had come to her
and sad:
81 have found lover for you Lillian. He is
good and rich, my child See to it that you
do not mention to him last years folly"
"a lover, mamma" the girl had answered.
ooh, have you forgotten"
~ have forgotten all, as must you. You will
obey me, and later you will thank me-"
The young face grew very pale.
us 1t not honorable that he should know,
mammal Lillian had said.
ale shall hear all that is necessary from me"
"lIe will not want me-" thought the girl
him"
And the color crept back to her cheek ut the
relief the thought brought relief short lived
for that very evening Sir Hubert Glyndon took
IN his own warm, strong grasp her two little
cold hands and, drawing her TO him, stopped
and kissed her brow.
She looked up into his face. 1t was not n
handsome face. He was not young lover A
full score of years divided him from his girl
sweetheart but it was a good face-a true
face-and IN 1t one could read the love he bore
her.
At the mute questioning, pitiful look in her
dark eyes, a pang had shot into her honest
heart, and 1t was the memory Of this look
which led him to her mother, who thus had
answered him.
hn u o6 l,yo1 M pnn oil bn said
Mrs Trevor smiled "A little scornfully at the
question.
"A moment since, | told you she was but a
child 1t Is for you to waken her sleeping
heart"
Her words and his own great love chased
away the last doubt.
He was very tender during the short space
of time that elapsed before the wedding. Some.
times he would appear little grleved that
Lillian would shrink even from his slightest
carcss, but lie chded himself for it. Perhaps
when she was his wife-hls very own-shc
would one day steal TO his side, and hold up
her sweet rosebud mouth, of her own seeking,
for his kiss.
Then he would tell her all that his long fast
had cost him-thcn and not until then.
Their weddingday dawncd clear and bright,
am no ray of sunshine was reflected in tue
brides face.
81 obey you, mother" she said, when they
fastened the veil of tullc, with the wreath of
orange blossoms on her head obey you,
mother because you have taught me that to
you owe my first duty, but would rather
you were dressing me tor my coffin than for
my bridal"
The sad words struck with prophetic knell
on her mothers heart, but 1t was too late to
draw back now.
She looked older than the bridegroom As
they stood together at the altar. His joy had
made him young her grief had aged her.
His patience had meyer tired, his tenderness
never lessencd, IN the long weeks, he strove,
in new scenes and amid new faces, to bring a
little look Of gladness INTO her own.
She never murmured, never complained
She no longer sbrank from him. That was
something gained.
Indeed, but when they were quite alone to-