New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1883-05-16
MAYS FORTUNE.

MAYS FORTUNE.
''What am to do with her Arnold?
The child will be woman soon-what
am I to do with her?''
A shade of perplexity was in the
speakers tone, and his gaze rested not
on the man beside him-a man his jun
ior by too short cycle of time for; the
difference to have left it's outward i'm
press-but beyond the room, and out
through the open window on the lawn,
where stood a girl caressing a superb
stag-hound.
Unconciously she made a picture love-
ly enough to arrest any gaze; but the
perplexity on Frederick Fabian's hand
some face vanished iii amaze, as his
companion gave short, quick answer
to his half-involuntary question, in these
words:
''Give her to me-"
Fora moment establishment rendered
him dumb
.'Give her to your" he gasped, at
last ''Why, Dick, old fellow, what
would an old bachelor like you do with
a girl like that? If you'd really like to
adopt one of the children, l might turn
one of the boys over to you; but, some
how, 1 don't quite think that I could
spare May. And I'm not sure she'd &C
cept another father, Notwithstanding the
manifold advantages which might ac-
crue to her. Fortunes lily divided in
this world, is it not? Here you are, a
bachelor, with clear income of five
thousand a year; and here am I, the
father Of an interesting family of six and
your income divided by just about that
number. No wonder I never can make
both ends meet"
II don't think you quite understand
my proposition, Fred,'' responded the
other, though flush had risen to his
usually pale face, and a scarcely per-
ceptible tremor of excitement was in his
voice. cit was natural perhaps, that
you should accept my meaning from a
paternal standpoint; and I am well
aware believe me of the slight differ
ence in our respective ages. But did
MT wish to adopt May as my daugh-
ter. I love her, and would win her for
my wife,
"Your wife, man?" calculated Fabi-
an, starting back in amaze. "Why the
child is scarcely out of the nursery, and
you-you- Why, we. were college
chums together, Arnold!'
II told you moment since was not
forgetful of my age; but remember you
married, Fred; when you were twenty.
May is eighteen, and, l am thirty six
just double hersage, but not too old to
love her with a fervor a younger man
might envy me. Fred, if / can gain he1
consent, l may have yours?'
Mr. Fabian outstretched his hand and
grasped that of his friend.
s-''I can't realise it all in minute, my
dear boy, but I know no man to whom
l would as soon intrust my darling
But can it be that she loves you, and
have been so blind as never to sus.
pect?'
Il dare not believe she loves me, but
l hope to win her love- answered Mr.
Arnold, quietly, and then stepped Out
through the window on to the lawn.
A vivid blush overspread the girl
face as he approached.
."DoWn, Carlo-down!' she command
ed the dog, and advanced to meet him
on the green, velvety sward
Was she unprepared for the earnest
words which told her of his hope. and
how the verdict rested with her?
II so, she evidenced no surprise, save
that the color deepened in her cheek and
the low ''Yes!' which fell like whis-
per from heaven on his ear trembled in
its utterance.
Dick Arnold had won her promise to
become his wife! Yet it seemed but YES
terday that he had held her on his knee
little, prattling child, whose rosy fng-
ers had penetrated into hidden pockets
for hidden sweets, even as she herself
had penetrated into the innermost re-
cesses of his heart.
She was a child to him still. He
would keep her child always, he said
to himself. Her path should be bed
OF roses, and not a single thorn pierce
her little feet.
1t was a singular engagement. The
lovers were rarely alone, and MIR. Arm
ODDS footing had always been so close
and Intimate as one Of the household
that there was little change.
True, he never came now without
some rare and beautiful gift for May but
latterly she received these with sort of
petulance and tossed them the next mo-
ment, carelessly aside.
Once, just before her wedding-day,
she burst into passion of tears; but she
would give him no explanation of their
cause.
He remembered them, later, in con-
nection with the arrival, that same af-
ternoon, of a young soldier-cousin, who
had been invited to the wedding and had
obtained special leave to be present.
After dinner May and this cousin-a
tall, splendid-looking young fellow
strolled together out on the lawn.
AS once before, Arnold and her father
stood watching her.
They look well together do they notp''
said the latter. 81 used to fancy Will
had preference for May, but I don't
think my acumen in such matters has
proved itself very acute.
And, with a light laugh, he turned
away.
But Arnold stood motionless, his eyes
fixed on the two figures on the lawn
Standing there, he felt an old man. In
that moment, Mays acceptance of him
appeared sacrifice, but to give her up
now
He could not even carry out the
thought.
Pshaw! What brightness could this
oenniless subalterns throw into her lifep 1
And her father had fancied only his pre-
erence for her, not hers for him.
He made a gesture, as if throwing of
burden, and walked out toward them.
As ne approached, the young soldier
vas speaking. 81 B
Its driving me to desperation,
Nay!" were the words borne to his
ar.