The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-07
watched over by one careful nurse, while
another. gray haired and fearful. was hur-
redily making preparations to leave the &C
cursed er-stricken city.

redlly making preparations to leave the &C,
cursed fever-st1icken city.
Theo Fdmerton had taken up his po-
si,ion at the foot Of the grand stair case,
and was rather enjoying lookingon at the
parlors, and especially looking as was not
the first, or the second, or the dozenth
time he ha looked just so eagerly, at
lovely Vivian Gwyneth.
OF late, Edmerton had been passing
through strange experience, and fair
haired Vivian was very intima tely connect
ed with it-so intimately that, during the
past few weeks, Edmerton had come to
know that that had happened to him he
lad thought never could happen to him
again, after the desolate, waste time in his
life, when Isabel Lisle had married another.
He had thought never to renew his faith
and trust in woman. He had had no hope
MOI wish that the wreck that he had believed
himself in love and passion should be made
anew. And then right into all the debris
of his affections, Vivian Gwynet had come
with sympathy and healing
Until, standing and Watching her to- night,
the fairest brightest star in Mrs Wizards
brilliant assemblage, Theo. Edmerton
knew he loved her. E
Until he was wondering what the rem
nant of his heretofore unhlessed life would
be worth to him if, when he asked lovely
VIVIAN for her love. she should withhold it..
For he had made up his mind slowly,
during the past few weeks, that he was
warrented in asking her.
He was almost sure she cared for him,
and yet, it it should SO happen that she
did not!
An hour afterward he stood before Wv
ian Gwyneth, alone with her, in the fra
grant, half dim fernery, with his hand
some face pale with tenderness, as he told
her how he loved her, and asked for ler
sweet self in return.
And Vivian?
think it was the sweetest way woman
ever gave herself to her lover, that which
she did, in her own perfect way, so ploud,
SO tender, so charmingly shy:
Before l answer you, she said lifting
her glorious eyes to his in swift radiant,
little glance-"before I answer you, let me
show you this-the picture of kim have
loved all my life. Even as a baby began
to worship it. It is my ideal have worn
it night and day. Could you care to have
me tell you what you wish, knowing what !
have told you?"
A grasping sort of vague fear crept chilly
over him in that one instant when she laid
diamond.crustedg gold locket in his hand
And then he opened it to look into his
own eyes the picture he had given Isabel
Lisle nineteen years before.
She smiled in his astonished face.
You don't know--no one knows but my
dear adopted parents-that am Isabel
Lisle's child; but knew you Theo, the
first time saw you, and think, if had
not mammals locket, I should still have
known you from her letters, and diary l
have kept. Are you sorry am mamma Is
daughter?"
Was it possible-was it possible? Isabel'<
child! S.
Then all the passion came radiantly back
to his pale face and astonished eyes, as he
held out his arms caressingly.
Il think your mother has given you to
me little one. loved her, but not as
loved you, oh, my little one! Vivian viii
you give yourself to me?';
And she stepped inside the outstretchet
arms, and laid her bright head on hi
breast. and made him realize that it was fo
his highest human happiness that fate hat
seemed so apparently cruel in all those
past dreary years. which now, in one little
moment, were blotted out forever.