Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1883-12-29
DEARER THAN LIFE.
BY CHARLOTTE N. sTANLBYN'KRNNA.

l was . man Of thirty, turned old
enough and steady enough to know my
own mind, surely. had always pri-
ded my self upon certain steadiness OF
purpose and hrn,ness Of resolution,
which called strength Of charac-
ter"
believed that I had no part nor
share in the proverbial Ackloness Of
my sex. and when my inclinations and
judgment approached each other 10
the selection Of my partner for life
never doubted but that my choice was
q xed and settled once for all.
She was gentle, loving creature /;
not 80 pretty as good, but endesred for
her many amiable qualities to all who
knew her. Not very young either. What
does staid man OF thirty want with a
foolish, trifling girl ?
Milly was five and-twenty, probably,
and thought that the mostsat sfactory
age possible.
/ was foreman in . large factory
where many girls and women are en-
ployed, and Milly Gray was the "ma.
iron" who had charge Of them.
She earned a good salary. l was a
prudent man, and l am not sure but
what that consideration had full weight
with me. Not that would have hest
tated abont marrying Milly anyway,
but 1t is good, surely, for a working
man to have wife who can be practic-
cally a helpmate to him.
People fancied she had little money
laid by, but | knew better. Not but
what she could have had, having work.
cd in the factory steadily these ten
years and earned good deal but she
had told me of the use to which she
had put her earnings.
They had gone to educate her half
sister, May Ellis.
"Mother left her 10 my care" she
said, "nt only six years old. I am
nine years her senior, and l have been
to her . second mother. Her beauty
she is lovely, George-has been my
constant pleasure and pride, and her
education has formed my one ambition
and care. Until knew you, dear"
she nestled shyly to my side as We
walked along-"I had never known a
love so strong as my love for May.
am sure that, when you see her, you
will acknowledge she is something to
be proud Of"
Thought the little woman who had
SO generously devoted her life to this
young girl was much more to be ad-
mired and valued.
I drew her little hand-somewhat
Drowned and hardened by its years Of
toil-more closely within my arms, and
pressed it tenderly.
az am proud Of you'll" told her.
Mere beauty or education can never
for o moment hold comparison with
natural goodness like yours. would
not change my little, sober Milly for the
brightest beauty in the world |"
Heaven help us!Ilmsant it then, every
word, and supposed that should never
change
Her soft eyes frightened a. I spoke.
81 Am glad you love me SO, she said.
" I thank God for it!'
and you, Mlily-you love me a.
dearly?"
CAS- dearly"
Her tones thrilled with new intensi-
ty, her quiet features glowed and flush
ed into o new and sudden loneliness.
81 love you dearer than my life l
am not eloquent or educated, George,
apd-and l think feel too deeply to
talk about it. But though l seem to
YOU quiet, and shy and dull, under 1t
all, all the time my heart speaks
and it says, 4 love you dearer than my
lifer"
was delighted with her little limo.
cent outburst. supposed 1t fattered
my vanity, for l realized fully how
much It meant from one no was rath.
or reticent and reserved; she had looked
90 pretty, too, when her cheeks flushed
and her eyes sparkled- liked to think
that could Gall this glow of beauty
into life.
"She will look so always when she Is
q loved and happy wife" l thought,
and began to feel quite sure that
was really and truly in love with her.
Alas poor Miliy
NAV ELLIS WAS now sixteen, and had