The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-07-01


She was afraid that he felt it a little
lonesome, she said as he grew we'll She
had written to Alethia to pay her visit.
They both drew, and they both liked the
same books, she had discovered. Alethia
would make it pleasanter for him.
After while l noticed that she left off
calling herself his mother; and that she
took pains with her dress, and arranged
her hair in new and becoming style
which rave her much more youthful
appearance. even discovered the dis
appearance from her temples of a few
oray hairs which | had before observed
there. AS for Mr.. Field, he was all ten
der and respectful devotion, and evil
IDENTIFY did really consider her as in
goodness at least something very near
an angel.
priscilla" said one day q was
somewhat older than she, and we had
become friendly and intimately, ''do you
know that, l think Arthur Field more
than half in love with you?"
"Nonsenser' she answered. But she
blushed painfully, Notwithstanding.
Hasn't he told you sop [ ventured
| On this she burst into tears. And
then, in her usual frank and impulsiye
way, it all came out .
II know it is perfectly ridiculous"
she said; ian old woman like me, nearly
forty years old, and boy such as he,
not yet Internationally. But he insists
that years make little difference where
where true esteem and attachment ex-
ists.'' :,
A sudden thought flashed upon me,
and | spoke it out at once i'll my fear for
her.
"He is poor, and you have money
enough. Perhaps he is influenced by
that consideration.
mo" she answered, quite calmly.
81 told him some days since, whe1 he
was talking about leaving and looking
for work, that he must stay here and
take care of my little place. (Itneeds
looking after, You know, and he'll soon
learn }, and promised to provide for
him. Alethia will have enough of her
own, even if she don't marry. In fact,
told him that would look upon him
as an adopted son and make him my
heir, and SO he need not feel anxious
about the future. And then newell"
-blushing a good deal and her hands
trembling httle-"he proposed that
should take him as husband instead of
a son. And he said l was still young,
that people didn't grow old a. tiye-and-
| thirty, and that for himself, after all the
terrible trials he had gone through, and
all my goodness to him, ne should
never love any woman as-well as he
does me. It's boyish talk, you seq
Despite her attempt to speak lightly,
there was a light in the old maid S eyes,
a softness and tenderness in her voice
which betrayed that to her this offer of
youthful love-the first ever laid at her
feet, probably-wa the dearest to her
heart of anything on earth. q
IF | were young" she continued
and there was q positive sharp pain in
her voice and expression" if | were
young and pretty as | once was, l
might think of it, And if / had net him
then, so exactly like what used to think
of and dream of as the sort of man |
could love, SO refined, and noble, and
handsome, so different from the coarse
men | was accustomed to-why, we
might have suited each other and been
happy together But an old maid like
newly, it s ridiculous, isn't it? People
would make no end of fun over it,
Notwithstanding all this, things began
to assume definite shape, such as it was
impossible to mistake, and l was not at
all surprised when Miss Priscilla at length
admitted to me in confidence that She
and Arthur Field were to be quietly
ad in ntlho,. IL,
added, Alethia was coming to stay with
her until the marriage should take place.
Owing to circumstances, it was two
weeks before again saw my friend Miss
Allison. Then riding out to spend an
afternoon and take tea with her. | came
suddenly upon her in the fields, walking
very fast and nervously, and as if with
no special aim. She warmly welcomed
me, but not in her old bright, happy
way, and | noticed that she was looking
badly. -.... ...ua .... ts.s...l. :
Where is Mr.. Field?" inquired.
SIN the house,
"What, by himself ?"
80, no Alethia is with him. Did you
not know that she had come? Been here
nearly two weeks ..t t..
had, in fact, forgotten Alethia's ex-
pected visit, but presently approaching
the house, saw Mr.. Field bending over
the shoulder of an extremely pretty and
delicate-looking girl, apparently direct
ing her in sketch she was making.
CHANGING from them to Priscilla | saw
her lips unconsciously contract into an
expression of repressed pain, which al
once revealed the whole story. = ,5.a a
1t was wonderful what self-command
she exercised during the evening. | am
quite sure that neither Arthur Field OF
Alethia suspected what she was suffer
ing. But, indeed, they appeared too
much absorbed in themselves and each
other to bestow much notice on other
people.
repeated my visit on the following
week. 1t was now the young people
who were looking miserable Arthur
was seated beside Miss Priscilla, dutifully
reading to her from newspaper, scarce.
ly CHANGING at the young girl who stood
with her back to him, looking from the
window, By-and-by she went out.
Take this shawl to her, Arthur y said
Miss Allison; ''she has gone to walk in
the garden, and fear it is cool" ~ p
Il don't think it is cool, % he answered,
| ItilIty I 1