The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-10-26

ready abundantly provided with bnlS
worlds goods; but | felt bound in hon
or to carry out my uncle's wish, so far
as meeting my cousin, whom l had not
seen since a child, and endeavoring, if
possible, to make her the offer enforced
upon me by his generosity.
found her very beautiful girl, but
utterly cold and indifferent in manner.
1t certainly, however, l told myself,
would not be difficult to learn to love
her, and l resolutely set myself to the
task; yet at the end of four weeks was
no nearer the desired result than at the
beginning of that period.
One day, when | had Just left Miss
Grant to her duties, my butler startled
me By the announcement that Mrs. and
Miss Thornleigh had honored rue by a
call.
1--WE are SO anxious to see you in
your bachelor apartments, my dear
boy!' exclaimed my aunt, as | wclcom-
ed her, "that | could not resist the i'm
pulse to bring Alice to see you. Now
you must take us all over, and show US
everything.''
Not there" l said, rs we entered
the library, and my aunt had moved to-
wards the door her quick eye had de-
tected. 'That is my denn'
But as fate would have it, hearing my
voice and utterly unsuspecting anything
so unwonted as visitors, Miss Grant,
wishing to ask me some question, her.
self opened the door. For moment
the ladies regarded each other in
Miss Grant withdrew, but not before my
hoH
scious virtue and chilling disapproyal.
'My dear" she said, turning to Alice,
''we have evidently made a mistake in
our intrusion. Wewill remedy it as far as
we may by bidding your cousin good
morning"
'You must not misunderstood the
position, however, aunt" l replied, ca
gerly. The young lady whom you
have just seen is my secretary and
amanuensis."
Il only am to blame for having
brought Alice here.' was the naughty
reply; and the two ladies swept out of
my doors.
stood, troubled and perplexed, for a
moment, then went into the study.
Miss Grant was again busily writing,
bat l fnnced that her face was very pale,
and wondered if she had overheard
nay aunt's words. She did not long
leave me in doubt.
cit will be two months tC-morroE,
Mr.. Courtney, since entered upon my
engagement with you. Will you kindly
accept this short notice of my resignn-
tion?"
''Your resignation? You wish to leave
me just when you have learned to un-
derstand all my ways, and have made
me SO dependent upon you?"
So dependent. Had l really uttered
those words, and having uttered could
retract themp A thousand new ideas
went whirling through my brain, but
her voice calmed them.
Il have known always" she said,
''that my position here was somewhat
an anomalous one, but thought could
reconcile its necessity to myself. I find
that am wrong. Thanks to your gem
erosity, Mr.. Courtney, my need is not so
great rs when l applied to you, and I
shall doubtless be able before long to
find some other employment. But how
ever this may be, / shall always feel for
you the deepest gratitude"
You say you will be grateful, Sid
neyP" l answered. Then prove it BY
remaining with me. l cannot do with
out my secretary; but we will give the
post another name-I cannot do with
out my wife. Sidney, darling, when
you stole my heart l do not know, butt
think on that first morning when 1 de-
termined to harden it against the wiles
and destinations of Sidney Grant,
So won my wife, and so my Cousin
Alice came into half my uncles fortune.