Daily Republican., 1881-03-04

away, leaving Ralph at the mercy OF
two curious womsn's tongues.
Sophie Gordon sank back among the
blue cushions, with an expression OF
most devout thankfulness on her pref.
" fsce.
"Oh, MI. Bradley, / feel as il l new
or could sufficiently thank you. Only
suppose had accepted him, what on
earth should / have done!"
Ralph looked iunoosntly at her.
"Indeed. Miss Gordon, poor Leith
must have grown unusually rsticsnt
about his love affairs lately, for he new
or hinted to me that you had refused
himi"
A vivid fash deepsnsd on her face.
"Oh, | didn't mean to say he actual
ly offered, you know. Bat If he had,
and l had accepted him."
Ralph's monosyllable was eloquent,
and somehow made Sophie wonder II he
was making fun Of her.
Because, you see," she went on al
most Indignantly, "Mr. Chester has
been so attsntiveto us all and, indeed,
his wealth and position made him very
desirable. Bat now"
And = peculiar toss Of her head and
q impression Of her lips finished her
remark far better than words could
have done.
81 am real sorry poor Lsith has dis
appointed you all-ahall include you,
Miss Lawton!"
Rita turned her flushed cheeks to.
ward the group more bravely than she
had ever done before in her life.
"Indeed you may ret. Mr.. Chester
Is the same as he was when he was
the posssssor Of all his lost wealth, and
q true friend of his will esteem him
none the less"
Mrs. Gordon laughed inaliciously.
"WhY, my dear Rita, what beauti-
full display Of romantic interest. Pray
repeat it to Mr.. Chester, Mr.. Bradley"
He rose coldly.
81 shall do 80, and being myself the
kind of a friend Miss Lawton describes,
I shall carry what you call romantic
interest still further-l shall sslec.
Leith Chester's friends for mine.
Ladies', good night"
After he was gone, Sophie turned,
with a farce scowl, to paor little Rita,
who was still standing neat the door
through which she had entered, with
the same sweet, flushed excitement ON
her face.
"You brszen thing Why couldn't
you have kept your mouth shut? You
see what you have done--actually
driven Mr.. Bradley from Rarlsoliff, and
the whole country round willripg with
the news.'
81 think not, Sophie. If you will
be reasonable, You will see it was your
own cruelty and hollow heartsdness
that did it."
Mira. Gordon laughed.
"Cruelty hollow heart edness Per-
haps, Rita, you would not refuse to ap-
ply an antidots to Mr.. Chester, my
dear"
Rita looked quietly at the vexed wo-
man, but made no reply, and then
vent to her own room where she was
to pass this last night of her long visit
at Barlscliff, the visit during which she
had learned so much of the hollowpess
Of society, so little of what was emo
bling, save and except her love for Leith
Chester.
She knew 1t now--new 1t with a
conviction strong as desth-that the i'll
fortune that had come to him had de-
veloped In her what it had crushed in
Sophie. She admitted 1t with thrills
Of joy, and prayed God to give her his
love before she had laid her head on
her pillow that night.
With tho morrow he came, to bid
her good bye, as he had said the night
before. The parlors were desertsd-
the shrewd woman Of Earlsclitf took
excellent pains to keep out Of the way
OF the penniless man, who might have
Rita II she was tool enough TO take
him.
He met the girl half way across the
door, and took her hand warmly.
"kiss Lawton, l want 10 thank you
for your womanly words of encourage
ment; and more-I want 10 tell you
that you have inspired holieE feeling
than even the highest respectful ad
mir alton. Rits, dear, true little Rita,
can you not see that love you dearly,
passionately! Look up, little one, and
tell me I am to Lave you for my dar-
ling-my wife!"
II has come to her at last, this love
Of Lsith Chester's, and she sobbed
out her own sweet confession on his
breast.
Sand you are sure you will not
shrink frem-tarm-life, Ritsf"
Her large vistful eyes answered him
before her lips framed the words.
shrink from It'll Oh, Lsith, it will
bs Paradise with you! Twill try to be
so good and saving, and may BIZ you
viii yet redeem the wealth you have
lost"
my noble, brave, little darling"
and he took her in his arms, and she
did not SEE the loving smile on his lips,
the pride in his handsome eyes as he
bent over her head. "Listen, then,
Rita, while l tell you that you sha l
indulge in tarm.life only whom we Wis
it the old farm in the West. Every
Summer shall it be, dearf And al 9th
er times DON'T you think we can be We
ry happy in our lovely little home on
the Eudsonf Because little Rita, l
have not lost dollar--rather gained
fortune in winning YOU, my darling. l
had no idea Ralph would carry out the
joke; but thank God, he did, for have
won you, and have learned to distin-
guish between diamonds and hearts,"
And sweet, noble-hearted girl that
she was, Rita had, indeed, received q
just reward when she had 20 unflinch
ingly cast aside all for the love of the