The Delaware ledger., 1883-08-18

'hhh AiNNNh NataAhJ AaAN |NNNNNAN'S -
me. would | rather kill myself first !"
with violence.
Then, with pitiful cry
81 will run away % l cannot--I
will not--see him again l''
And actually the impulsiye, morbid
ly-sensitive, undisciplined girl sprang
to her feet, ran into the back hallway,
snatched a shawl and hat, and turned
her back ON the only home she knew.
1t was not so hard she had never |
loved it. She went rapidly down the
green road until the stage overlook her,
when she sprang aboard with satisfac-
tion, seeing the chimneys of Mulberry
Cottage disappear in the distance.
Tessie had passed about two years in
the city. Beyond almost Immediately
sending a note to her uncle that she
was well and at work copying music
that she hoped he would forgive her
for leaving him, but she could not do
otherwise-she had had no communica-
tion with her old home.
She had fortunately been found useful
in music publishers establishment.
She earned her bread, and ate it moist
ened with tears, but she never ceased
to feel joy that Alan Dunleith had not
married her for pity. The energy of
earning her livelihood improved her.
She gained confidence, force, color.
Mr.. Thorne, her employer, fancied
her looks, heard her voice at last and
paid her unusual attention, in wbi III
there would have been no harm if he had
been faultless. But his money covered
a multitude of sins, and one day Tessie
slipped from his employ and his
knowledge, and, innocent and safe,
went to reside with an old woman
who had nursed her mother in her last
sickness-an humble but, honest ole
creature, to whom Tessie gave hel
confidence, while aunt Gale gave her ;
=, home.
"You're good, brave girl, that you
mother'd be proud of this day, il sh
were alive, Miss Tessie, " she said "ant
Heaven bless the day that you foun'
: me out, for l need your bright fac
sorely."
y And now Tessie went out by the day
giving music lessons. She liked thi
= better. She made acquaintances, foun
: variety, yet kept herself intact fror
= the world. She had a strange JOY
y which she hardly understood, whe
: people complimented her on her beauty
y her grace, her tact. In these dire
e tions she had advanced much. Sh
, " was an elegant and intelligent giT
- very different from what she had beel
and she knew it. Musical people cult
" waited her. She went out, and auI
70 Gale constituted herself sort of dr.
- gon, and was always on hand to see h,
y safely home.
" Miss Tessie Nerney's maid, "peop
- called her, though Tessie said
ba "She is not servant, but an old frie1
Oh with whom live."
70 Where Miss Yerney livedno one kne
~ for a long time, and Mr.. Thorn
tb meeting her repeatedly in societ
,lv followed her home at distance u
N suspected, and learned the place of h
90 abode.
m. 1t was a small, old-fashioned hous
mo in narrow street, but the neighbC
ad hood was quite respectable, and au
10 Gale had paid for it out of her So
ings, and the means left her by l
sailor-husband, and in it Tessie was
'a' cure.
~ He made business an excuse a
.S - called. But the girl in the low, o
ana m fashioned parlor, would have none
'- him.
'0 Her time was fully occupied
could undertake nothing in the "
say of his pretext and, baflied, hewitt,
au ed, and determined to overcome
llie difference, he came again and asked
liu hand in marriage.
art ''Do not be hasty. have a fortm
as you can adorn it, he said, looking il
lg' her cold, exquisite face.
nv. Jns "YOu are going to refuse, but W;
Nv and let me come again. Give yours
~ time TO consider
~ Tessie consented to this, thou
'''o her decision she knew to be III
terable, even when aunt Gale
iau vered.
'Marriage-he offers you maria
~" child Well, that is an honor and
~ is very rich man, you tell me.
haps it would be wisdom to acce
De- You say no? Tell me why ?n
NJ knew a good man once. l am
TO different to al Others" Tessie s
her quietly. And the proud Mr.. Tho
axe received the pOlitest of dismiss
The year passed, and another and
girl other. 1t was hive years since
sic, a shy girl of sixteen, had
[ is away from Alan Dunleith and
zion pity.
her Three months later she heard of
uncle's death. He had left her n
.ory of his little property. He had ne
eur intended to. She was not disappoint
She had been glad to find the VIC
Io+o was wide enough for both. She
far happier now. She and the str
,,J old woman mutually benefited e
,n other, The latter was shrewd
faithful The young girl, with
,or, beauty, her music, her future, enric
her life. She was proud of her, 10
her, and Tessie returned her affect