The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-07-22

1
unconscious lovers, much better thar
they could do themselves. 81 will make
| thee some that is fresh. I will see my
self that the water boils."
No, pray don't. Indeed, need nc
more tea; and must be going, or Ruth
| will grow anxious, said Hester. rising
from her chair.
But the designing old lady trotted out
with the silver teapot in her hand, say
| ing decisively:
Only one cup. Thee must wait
You were more willing to stay with
me once, Hester" said Mr.. Richings, as
the door closed upon Mrs. Paynter. 81
| wish ]. knew what first changed you. Did
offend you in any way in the good old
| days?"
mo, oh no!'' stammered Hester, look
ing for her hat
Mr.. Richings gently removed it from
her reach.
''You shall have it presently. But now
that we have met. think you owe me an
explanation. Why did you not tell me
in that old time, dear, that you loved
your cousin best?"
my cousin? What cousin?" asked
Hester wonderingly.
''Your cousin, John Thorn.'
Il never cared for him, Mr.. Richings,
exceot, of course, as cousin"
"Hester, he was here on q visit once
1t was the day before left my home for
Europe"
81 remember" she said with sigh.
sHe came to me that evening, as if
from you, Hester. He told me that you
had always loved him, from your child
hood; but that you had been dazzled for
time by my superior wealth and posi-
ton. He brought me letter ,purporting
to come from you, begging my pardon
for having encouraged ne, when you
ought not to have done so, when your
heart was his, and his alone. have
that letter now. You shall see it to-
morrow. He seemed truthful and
manly, and he certainly loved you with
all his heart, Hester. He asked me to
go away for time, and let your mind
recover its usual balance, so that you
might choose intelligently between us.
Under the circumstance he described, 1t
was fair and reasonable request. I
wrote reply to your letter, and gave it
to him to deliver. then went abroad.
Six months later your cousin enclosed a
second letter from you, to say that your
choice had fallen on him. So gave you
up at once. And I was much surprised
on reaching home, to hear that you were
still single"
"My cousin John was foolishly fond of
me-" said Hester, as calmly as she could
speak. 81 never cared for him, and he
was very jealous of you. Those letters
were forgeries. never saw them. Nor
did vours reach ma -
1.-The scoundrell" began Mr.. Richings,
hotly.
But her look stopped him.
He is dead. We can forgive" she
said softly. II am glad to know that
you were true, and hope you will be
happy in this lovely home when Miss
Senter comes to share it.
"You have heard that stupid report,
| eh?" said Mr.. Richings, tossing her hat
| and shawl on the sofa behind him, as
she again reached after them. Maud
Senter is lovely girl, q good girl, too;
and yesterday morning she married one
of my dearest friends, and was best
man on the happy occasion. So much
| for her And now, Hester, my darling,
the troubles and clouds of ten years past
can be cleared away at once and forever.
if you will only say the word. That dead
mans falsehood has kept us apart quite
long enough. We will forgive, as you
say. But it must be in this house, and
together, as man and wife. Hester. you
won't refuse me? Say yes; and let oul
| troubles end here on the spot"
Hester must have made 6 satisfactory
answer, for Mrs. Paynter opened the
door at that moment, and flew back witt
her unneeded tea, after one hal
starting, half amused glance at the recon
ciled pair.
And Ruth, an hour later, found her
self gathered up from the lounge, ant
carried, in light, strong grasp, t.
her easy chair, beside the cottage win
dow.
s.I take all Hester's beloved cares OF
myself henceforth, 81 ter Ruth an
I begin with you" said Steadman Rich
ing's genial hearty voice. as he presse'
| brothers kiss upon her lips and brow