The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-03-08

ri wonder if he can see them now"
mo, 1 think that through some one of
them he is looking at U.S."
Far from science and astronomy, far,
very far, from his scholarly standpoint,
the mans childish reply had taken him,
but it had carried him nearer the heart of
the girl'than he dreamed.
Mrs. Merdon's disapproval of her
daughters visit to the observatory with
Seymour broadened into anger as his
calls were repeated and repeated often.
An intimacy grew between the young
people that, ven to themselves, they did
not undertake to explain. The girls
friendship had opened a new world to
the hard worked student. Had he known
more of life, he would have known that
he wa falling in love. Over the other
a secret was stealing as steadily as comes
over us the morning. A month had
passed since the senior party. The two
sat again in the telescope room. She
seemed to be studying the stars.
"And do you remember" she was ask
ing, "that, that evening, you thought
through some one of them father was
looking at usf"
eyes"
"Do you suppose he can see US now?"
eyes" lin a surprised way.
"Then" (hesitatingly) edo you think
he is glad,-is glad to see US togetherf'
won't you" 1.-THE voice was very
husky)-"won't you answer for me%
eyes" she said, in a voice clear as a
harp chord, ~ know he is"
Seymour wondered if his senses were
giving way. He hardly knew what fol-
lowed. He meant to ask-he tried to
ask-if she didn't think her father would
be glad to see them always together.
Somehow that seemed long and heavy
and he couldn't make the words come.
He had a choking sensation in his throat
and his eyes were blinded with tears.
He felt just as he had in the greenhouse
the night of the senior party. He wanted
to kiss the hem of her garment. He felt
that he was in debt to her and falling
deeper in debt every moment. He knew
he was making a fool of himself, but he
didn't care. He was the happiest fool
that moment in Gods happy world.
"You are just as much mine," she said
at last, her hands resting upon his head,
which some way or other had found a
place in his lap-"yeu are just as much
mine as if 1 had not done all the wooing
myself"
The Merdon mansion had never seen
such a storm as followed Charlotte's
avowal of her betrothal. Her mother
insisted that she would never consent,
never in the world, and the girl who had
always honored her wishes above every
thing else was in distress.
"But you did not marry a rich man
yourself, mother; why should you want
me tot" she urged.
Il" married a man who was great
whom everybody knew; why, if you
were to marry the man, whoever he is,
who will fill his chair, I should be happy
forever, but this fellow"-and her indig-
nation almost o~verpowering her she left
the room.
1t was late in the evening when Char.
lotte stole upstairs. Passing her mother
room she saw that the door wa partly
open. She knew what it meant. Women
even among themselves, make theil
.reconciliations gracefully, gradually
She pushed the door wide open, as hel
mother had intended she should anG
went in. The lady sat by her writing
table; her head rested on her hand, anG
she was evidently sleeping. A little pill,
of letters lay before her, a picture besid,
them. Tears had dropped upon the let
ters, and the picture showed the stains o.
tears. Charlotte looked at the pictur,
closely. The face was familiar
Surely she had seen it before. Blu
where? She could not place it amonl
her acquaintance. Whose face was it
She started. A broken, uncertain voic,
seemed to say, "that's a good picture o
the President" Her lovers awkward
remark at the party, the portrait on tn
wall, the picture that her mother criet
over. 1t was all clear, very clear, ant
she didn't care to read the open letter b,
the picture.
"My poor, dear mother!" she thought
as, without awakening her, she glided t
her own room, carrying the greatestsecre
of her lifetime, save INT
1t was after midnight when Mrs. Mel
don awoke. She had hoped her daughte
would come in. She wanted to tell he
that she was no longer angry. She hal
been carried back over parts of her owl
life, and she wanted to tell Charlott
that after all she must follow the voic
! of her heart, that her own experienc
had taught her so. She was almost read,
/ to confess to her that although she haI
t married a man who was great, lwhor
everybody knew, she-no, no, she cohI
not tell her daughter that-she could nc
, tell her that. Very slowly she put ava
| the letters and the picture, saying: aye.
: I loved him then, and, God forgive me,
| have loved him ever since"
| At noo the next day a servant brough
q note to the Presidents study: "Chal
r lotte E. Merdon requests the pleasure {
. a few moments private conversation"
3 81 wonder what Addie Mather's daugl
E ter wants of me, thought the old bach,
lor, as he passed down into the receptio
room. GLOW the girl brings her I
t mind!"
In a dignified way that even surprise
3 hersel, Charlotte began: ~ understan
l that the trustees have given you appoin
ing power regarding the professorshi
Y which fathers death made vacant"
eyes"
"Have you made any provision yet?'
K "No."
; "I have a candidate to present"
l. "What-you! A candidate! Who
itq'
"Brent Seymour"
Charlotte's intimacy with Seymour w
It not unknown to the President, but tn
" astounded him.
3 ut is impossible" he said; 81 do n
70 see how you can ask it, how you C,
. think of it."
"Would you not do much to- bring
d you one you lovedf' she asked, boldly.
l. A peculiar light came into the or,
eyes behind the ~steel-bowed s~pectacles.
It eyes"
GLOW muchP'
is "Anything."
Or "Would you give a professorship7"
n The peculiar light increased. 1t "
lie almost a blaze.
is eyes"
in "Will you give me this professorship
to I bring to you n you love?"
I'd The gray eyes were nov fairly afan
I'd She was understood. He sprang to