The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-09-29
WAITING.

sSuniDereu pcV twenty tn6t answered ,dor6!'
IN. G. Shepherd.
WAITING.
He was tired of the women Of the world
Pierce Haywood decreed unto himself
tired Of their wiles, their sophstries, their
receptions, their very attractions. Was it
because these latter had in one case, proved
well-nlgh fatal TO his peace Of mind that
Pauline Irving's dark, passionate, soul-i
eyes pursued him even here in this quiet
country retreat, where he had taken refuge
that the memory Of her low musical voice
nestled in the rustling leaves, or sighed
with the slghing of the night wind2
He admitted to himself none Of this rea-
soning, only said that he was tired; and
when, in the course of his wanderings, he
discovered inc pretty daughter Of The mil
Ter of the place, shy maiden Of some
eighteen summers, he turned to her as to q
new study.
She blushed when he spoke, and he fam
cled her bushes charming; she stammered
when she answered him, aud he imagined
that rather would he have it thus than liz
ten to any flow Of wit from betwixt her GRIM
son lips.
She was innocent as the flowers which
she tended in her own garden and he knew
that che could boast than this no greater
charm. Therefore, the idea came to him
that he would marry her.
He was no wolf in mans clothing. ) It
was no difficult task for him to read DER
soon the love that he had awakened in this
guueless heart; but, take advantage of it to
its own undoing, of this thought be was as
pure as she.
Her sweet face grew very pale when, ono
evening, in the shadows, he asked her to
become his wife. A frightened, startled
look grew in the great blue eyes.
Il to be your wife?" she repeated.
Why, you are gentleman, and II
She left the sentence unfinished the
gulf between them was too deep to bridge
over with words.
You are all that is sweet in woman!" he
replied. Il am tired of art want nature.
Promise me only to be as good, and pure.
and artless as you are to- day, and / prom.
Use to try to be worthy Of you. Edna do
you fear to trust your happiness to my keep
aing2"
You love me then?" she whispered, as
though breaking an impossibility.
And he, believing that he spoke truth,
answered. "Yes."
Then she flung herself into his arms.
and sobbed out her joy upon his heart. Her
emotion startled hint showed depths to
her nature he had not known she possessed
but he quieted her With his kisses. and as
he walked home alone, having gained her
fathers consent to q speedy wedding, he
consoled himself with the thought.
Il will be good to her. She will not be
panion in thought, in interest; but my
Plaything- yes"
The next month they were married.
Pierce Hayward had been too long cher
.lshed member of society not to have de-
sire with eager curiosity to see this hastily
wooed wife. But one woman read the
newspaper announcement, in her boudoir
with quick, pang of pain. The paper
dropped from her nerveless hands.
Married. she said to herself, over and
over married! He took me at MY word,
then. Yet, may God grant him the happi-
ness have missed, or, rather, thrown away
by wretched pride and a momentary reck-
aessnesR.
But among the numerous calls on the
child wife was one drawn thither otherwise
than by curiosity.
Edna took the card from the buttler's
hand with no premonition, and read the
name as she had read the many names
which he had brought her.
Say to Miss Irving thatI will see hor
Immediately" she said to the man, in whose
august presence she always stood q little in
awe in spite of herself -he looked SO very
superior in his splendid livery. Another
call, Prncep she cried, stopping an instant
in the library where he sat and holding the
card before his eyes. ''Why, how pale
you are dear! You are ill Shall excuse
myself?"
mo, no! Go at once!" he answered, with
the first touch Of impotence in his tone he
q % ovor nher has 4 4
critically as he spoke, with half dissatis-
fed air.
The face was young and lovely-none
could deny that; but there was something
n the general ensemble his artist eve
.missed-a something which, as she entered
the drawing room and advanced 70 meet
her guest. who rose, tall and graceful and
exquisitely costamed, gave to Miss Irving's
tone gentler accent, as in her heart she
whispered:
"Poor child! Some day she will need q
friend. If she will let me will be the
friend she needs"
Let herr Of all her guests, none had
charmed Edna as this beautiful ladv. She
found her telling her Of her early life, OF
her cOurtship, and the strange, wonderful
thing Pierces love seemed to her, and all
self:
q "Poor child!r
Will you not come again very soon2" she
said, almost wistfully, when Miss Irving al
last rose to leave. @Of course will return
your visit first; but mean-I mean"
You mean that you would like we should
be friends. Ihope that is what you mean,
for am quite sure it is my wish"
The sweet smile Was zasre than Edna
could resist. Impulsiyely she lifted up the
little mouth for kiss. fa &.