The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-12-30

| ewes and his inSlnuatlng siallc Is thal)
tine-looking Hart is. But do not tell
him what is in my mind, and we part
not to meet again for some time.
That is how | receive and answer my
first proposal,
Poor Joan, you have succeeded in
driving away your sole admlrer, Ethel
says bantcringly, rs after awhile she
notices Hart's unusual absence. Hart
has certainly become discouraged and
transferred his attentions elsewhere. y
"And welcome, | reply lightly, but
mcndacously, for, truth to tell, l ma
as the days 90 by that miss his quiet,
unobtrusive presence more than couIu
think possible.
MIR. DcVere continues hls attention to
nv cousin, notwithstanding auntle
frowns upon him most decidedly.
He has not lived long in this vicinity,
and while here his conduct has been IL
rcproachabc, but of late vague rumors
have reached her ears of 4 career III
the past which would not bear inspcc-
ton.
But Ethel refuses to hear arTht
against him, and stands up bravely tor
| her lover.
How pretty she looks when she IS IN
dirnant, Surely it would be no hard
matter to fall in love with my beautiful
cousin. even if her face were her only
fortune.
But that all Raoul DcNere cares for
her is her money am convinced rs |
look into hi, shallow false face
Oh, il could only lend her my
eyes,
Time gocs on until at length comes
an evening to which both Ethel and |
have been looking forward with pleas
urablc anticipations.
Of all our friends, Mrs. Fairfax
knows best how to entertain, and it IS
at her charming home that tonight a
grand ball is to be held.
But alas! evening finds me laid up
with Il toothache, every nerve racked
with the distracting pain, and my check
swollen far beyond the bounds OF come
illness.
"You must not think of staying
home," | say peremptorily, as Ethel
proposes giving up her pleasure III
deed YOU Shall not. Go-one martyr s
enough"
She coes, dream of loneliness in her
maidcnly tullc and pearls, while go
toto bed.
At last sleep comes to my relief, and it
is very late, or rather early, when am
awakened by Ethcl's kiss upon my
cheek.
''How's my toothachc? Oh, it is bet
ter How did you enjoy yourself,
dear?" | ask, sitting up and rubblngm my
eyes slecpily.
Ethcl's answer is not rs enthusiastic
as should expect, and ! notice what Il
strange pale look her face has, Not
thus does my pretty cousin, who has
never experienced what it is to be a
wall-howcr, usually return from aparty
Were it not absurd Ishould surely think
she had been crying.
kiss her goodnight and she goes
away to her room.
As | dress the next morning my eyes
light upon satin-covcred baIl-pro-
grammc lying on the floor where Ethel
must have dropped it.
Picking it up | open it carelessly, but
my carclessness changes suddenly to a
fixed startled regard.
Pencilled in the space beneath the list
of dances are these words;
"My darling, let it be tomorrow eve
ning-I will await you, as the clock
strikes eleven, by the great oak at the
end of the drive. Circumstances over
which | have no control call me
abroad. Something tells me that if ! &C
leaving you free, we shall surely be
parted. Your aunt is prejudiced
against me, and you tell me that she
can prevent you from marrying unit
you arc of age. Oh, my love, you know
how faithful your devoted Raoul is.
imporc YOU take your fate in your OWL
hands and consent to my wishes for 8
secret marriage. 1t need only be kept
secret until my return, then we can con
fess and be forgiven.
As | read, Elhcl'S agitation returns tC
me, and know that unlcs, | save her
my cousin will go to her ruin thi, very
night
For that ruin it would be to cntrus
her lic's happiness into The keeping o
the unprincipled adventurcr whose hanC
pcnncd these lines am convinced
But how is it to be done? mus
have help. Auntie is out of the ques
ton; there is only Hart-will he, angr!
at me rs ne is, come to my assist
ancc.
| seek him at his law-oilica. HI
meets me coldly; but his manne
changes as, in earnest anxious tones,
pour out my troubles, and, ignoring hi
Indifferent greeting, implore him, upol
the strength of our old friendship, t
help me, if it is in his power, to save M
cousin from taking the irrccoverabl
step she contemplates.
"Hclp YOU? OF course | william
can, too!' he cxclaims. How luck
, YOU came to me-and what coinci
dence it isn'
"Coincidencc-in what way?"
ask.
"Never mind now" he answers
"But cheer up, Joan; all will com
: well, | promise you. 1t was u fortunat
star that led you to me-"
, That night, instead of retiring, | 5
= at my window, from which | can plair
" see the drive, although it is some Ii
tie distance away.
L 4 Il, Il