Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-02-21

ing. Sometimes I caught her eye--he
great unfat5omable brown eye-for sh,
had habit of looking at me. Was sh,
wondering how face could be 80 ster,
and SO grimP I used to ask myself.
Ashton used to look at her also. HI
had been away when she first came t,
us, and when she returned, he was
grand surprise to him.
60, how lovely she is !" he had sait
to me. ,. !! -
''She is very pretty" I replied.
Ashton laughed.
!" May I never be an old bachelor if i
brings me to call such girl VERY pref
ty," he said, and felt conscious tina
my cheek flushed, and felt angry tina
he:1 should have spoken of me thus
though had never cared before.
They liked each other very much
these two young things. They were to
gether a great deal. A pretty picture
they made in the Venetian window il
the sunset. BE is fair-haired, blue
eyed, Ssxon-looking youth; she so az
quisitely dark and glowing.
Every one liked her. Even my ole
clerk, Stephen Hadley, used to say he1
presence lit the Office more than doze1
lamps, the nearest approach to poet.
lcal speech of which old Stephen was
known to be guilty; and I never knew
how how much she was to me until ont
evening when, coming home earlier thar
usual, saw in that Venetian window
where Ashton and Olive had made sc
many pleasant pictures for me one that
never forgot-that I never shall forget
as long as live.
She stood with her back to me. Ash.
ton was kneeling at her feet. The sound
OF the opening door dissolved the pic.
ture; but I had seen it and stole away tc
hide the stab that it had given me.
sat down in my own room and hid
my face in my hands, and would have
been glad to hide it beneath my coffin
lid. l knew that I loved her not as an
old man might love child, but as a
young man might love the woman who
ought to be his wife-better than I had
loved Elsie Hall; for it was not boyish
passion, but earnest, heartfelt love.
l in love! ] arose and looked in the
mirror, and my broad-shouldered rehec-
ton flashed before my gaze. The
spring time of my life had flown, and
my summer had come and gone, and in
the autumn [ had dreamed Of loves bud
and blossom. I knelt beside my bed,
and prayed that I might not hate nv
brother-that I might not even envy
him. His touch upon my door startled
me. He came in with something in his
manner not usual to HIM, and sat down
opposite me. For a few moments were
silent. Then he said, speaking rapidly
and blushing like girl, Med, old fel-
low, you-you saw me making fool of
myself just now, I suppose
~ saw you on your knees" SAID,
land thought me silly fellow. eh ?
But you don't know, Ned. You can't
understand-you've been so calm and
cool all your life through, you know.
She's driving me mad, Ned; 1 do believe
she likes me, but she won't say yes, I'd
give my right hand for her love. I must
have it, and I think you can help me.
Ned. From something she said, I be-
lleve she thinks you would disapprove:
perhaps you are one of the old fellows
who want every one to marry COR money,
Tell her you're not, Ned, dear old fell
low; tell her you have no objection. and
LII never forget it, indeed I won't"
"Tel Ler 1 have no objection ?" I re-
peated, mechanically.
You know you are master here. and
IS much my father as if you were really
one, instead OF brother. said. Ashton.
- II did not know how kindly you had
always feft to us both l should not con-
ide In you, for it is serious thing to be
n love, Ned, and you may thank heaven
you know nothing of it.
Know nothing of 1t F.! All, if he could
awe read my heart just then!
''Ill do what l can, Ashton" said
1t last. ''l'll try my best"
And he flung his arms about me in his
OWN boyhood fashion, and then left me
alone-alone with my own thoughts.
He had said truly; I had been father
20 him. was old enough to be hers,
md no one should know my silly dream.
would hide it while l lived. As I once
aid. "I've only the old folks and the
children now" said then. 81 will
'nly think of mother and Ashton. Let
ny own life be as nothing; I have lived
or them-if needs be, I will die for
hem.'
But would not see or speak to Olive
that night, nor till the Dext day was
luite done. Then, in the twilight, I sat
beside her and took her hand.
Olive" said II think you know
hat Ashton loves you. am sure he has
old you so. And you-can you love
lim ?''
She drew her hand from mine. and
laid not one word.
81 should rejoice in my brothers
happiness. | should think him happier
n having your love than anything else
could make him." said. II told him
would tell you so.'
And then she spoke.
-" You wish me to marry Ashton o.
Reproach was in the tone-reproach |
md sorrow.
IF you can love him, Olive" / said. |
She arose. She seemed to shrink |
rom me, though in the dark could not |
zee her face.
81 do not love him." she said,
And we were as still as death. Then
Olive Hunter began to sob.
You have been very kind to me-. L
owe you all, she said, "but I cannot
'tay here now. Please let use go some
where else. Imust---I cannot live here"
eco from US, Olive 2" said. "Nay,
We are no tyrants; and once assured
hat you do not love him, Ashton.will-
Hush p she painted; "hush!'' Please
ct me go away Please let me go
.way!"
The moon was rising. Her newborn
light fell upon Olives face. Perhaps
is Wilderness made her look so pale.
,he leaned against the wall with her lit
lie hand against her heart, her I'M
athomable eyes full of pain. How had
hurt her? A new thought struck me.
Perhaps you love some one else,
)live?" 49,. '..s g.. -
And at that she turned her face from
ne and hid it in her hands. "''',I' 80 .-t.-.'
"Too much-too much !! You might
ave spared me that, she said.. '''Let
ne go away. I wish you had never
'rought me here" -: -. -.
And ] arose and went to her. I bent
yer the woman I loved; touched her
nth my hand; her soft hair brushed my
= o.