The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-12-26
ious blood within me came to The

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surface.
Vernon turned the conversation
presently, and, in spite of myself, |
could not help joining now and
then. But when she arose to retire,
| went also.
She paused in the hail.
IL am quite satisfied with Vernon
Mollineaux,n she said. Il loved his
grandfather, and there is no reason
| why you should not love the grand
| son. That is my Christmas gift to
you-a husband" and she laughed
shrilly. Let me find you good,
sensible girl"
| made no answer. A Christmas
gift. indeed. To be thrust at a man,
to be bargained for paltry lands and
riches | was full of romance, albeit
| it had not come from novel reading
So another dreary Christmas was
added to the procession
Vernon Mollineaux remained a
week. He was courteous and gen.
tlemanly, but he gave me no chance
to refuse him, as | had surely resolv-
ed to do.
A fortnight after, my aunt was
found dead in bed from an affection
of the heart. Her will had been
signed on Christmas morning. There
were several legacies and the sum of
$4,000 to be settled upon me in my
own right the day became Mrs.
Mollineaux. Notwithstanding.
Vernon arrived in time for the fu-
neral. A day or two after, he said {:
4 thought of asking cousin to
come and stay at the Manor until
at present, l mean, while it is so
lonely for you. You will like Mrs.
Marsden very much. Since your
aunt planned our destiny
'Mr. Mollineaux,' l interrupted
hastily, Il am not willing to fulfill
that destiny. l have some desires OF
my own
You do not love another, sure
lyg
Il do not love another, but as little
do | love you. | have had no OPP
portunity TO protest against this
barter
Nav, do not use so harsh term.
| will give YOU time to think. Your
aunt might have settled matters
more gently, but it was her way.
! Will you not try
Such love is worth little
! Yet, if | am willing to wait-to
accept it?'
That angeTed me.
i have given you final answer,
and | turned hastily away.
No, will not take it as such. Be-
sides, I feel in honor bound to pro-
vide for your emergencies, since your
aunt depended upon me-
DO not trouble yourself
Il shall write directly for my
cousin
| went to my room in mood o
the keenest indignation. My aun
had thrown me upon his charity, a.
it were. | began to pack up few
necessary articles and some clothing
resolved to leave Mollineaux Mano
at once.
Fortune favored me TIE next day
The new master was absent for som,
hours. l sent my trunk to the sta
ton, wrote brief note of explana
ton, and started out as if / nigh
be going for walk, without even
good bye to the servants. 1 wa
very confident of my own strength
/ had one friend to whom / mean
to apply.
My friend was eand kind but
, as Isaid, 1 had not been remarkabl,
successful. NV education was ordi
: nary, and the ranks Of teachers wer
full to overhowing. / made one es
say at sewing, one as saleswoman
when / heard of the place at Wes
Willow Grove, l applied through
niece of Mrs. Wilburton, and wa
, taken. was so glad to have per
manent home.
Did / wonder sometimes abou
Mr.. Mollineaux Yes. l was think
| ing of him now, in partly curious
, partly vexed manner. No doubt h
was glad to possess the Manor tre'
from membranes.
Miss Delphyr
/ sprang Up, dropped my bool
with a clatter. / had been dreaming
in the midst Of those long sentences
with the sound of the Christmas bells
in my ear. My face was scarlet
and quick tears of shame sprang t.
my eyes.
Pardon mel / cried confusedly
What were you thinking about
and the keen gray eyes studied me
earnestly.
Ipicked up the book and found
the place.
1T must have been curiously en-
tertaining. You were looking int
that CRATE for fully five minutes
Was /? / beg your pardon for my
negligence
That does not answer my ques
ton
1t was of the past Isaid slowly
of changes and trouble, and, per
haps. vain wishes. A year ago D..
was listening 20 the Christmas bells
but they brought me no luck.
Trouble You are too young
child
Years have little to do with it,
think
Then I went on in a mood o
strange courage. 4 should like tt
see one bright, JOYOUS Christmas, tc
know what youth and pleasure weis
really like, to be happy
Come. now, what would mak'
you happy? A lover, of course
Well. there will be plenty OF them.
81 was not thiuking of a lover
replied Indignantly. There arr
many other things.'
How old are you 2 said he in hi
abrupt fashion, still eyeing me in
tently.
Eighteen, few months ago
And the Christmas bells stirred
up old memories. Well, Miss Del
ply, when you have finished tha
chapter, you and Mrs. Wilburtol
/, aln nhnrnl Tho,