The Mineral argus., 1883-12-06

RAONG0 VI yOaA hOAAh oO0NAAs anu JOu
might have got the stu alton Of agent to
the White Castle Place, at eight hum
dred a year, and a cottage found, IL
you'd only been here on the spot. Pa
used to know the old agent, and could
have recommended you'll"
Jerome smiled.
white CASTER" said he. That's the
big house on the hill, where we chill.
dren used to peep at the roses and
white grapes through the glass sides of
the great greenhouse. A grand place,
as | remember it"
"And the position Of agent is most re-
sp~onsible, and highly considered"
broke in Bessie.
Jerome Clay went away feeling rather
depressed.
1t is not the lot Of every man 10 be
thrice rejected in one evening.
"They think l am a failure in life,"
said he, half smiling, half signing. well
perhaps they are not wrong. Peoples
ideas differ"
Aurillia Haven, the old farmers
daughter, had been a wild hoyden Of
SCHOOLGIRL when Jerome CLAW went
south. She wa a silent pale woman OF
three and thirty now, who did the
'~tailoress" work OF the neighborhood,
and had hard WORK TO get along.
But her dark brown eyes lighted up
when Mr.. Clay spoke of his far-of home
and her cheek glowed scarlet when Mr..
Sewell chuckled out:
80 the three old maids wouldn't
have nothing to say to you? Ha, ha,
hap
"Do o blame them?" said Jerome.
"Well, no." confessed the old man.
Gals naturally want to better them
selves nowadays. If you'd come back
with your pockets full Of gold. they'd
sing a different song, you'd see"
Aurilla looked plying y at Jerome
Clay. She, too, had found life a failure,
and in her quiet way did all that she
who had hired the spare chamber In
her fathers house for a few weeks, since
his cousins had altogether omitted to
invite him as their guest at the old
place.
She was not pretty-never had been
but she had a sweet, oval face, with
fringed eyes, and q mild, wistful express
sion, which Jerome Clay liked.
And one day she spoke out what was
in her heart.
"Mr. Clay" she said, "I can't help
thinking Of those poor, little, mother
less children of yours. II you bring
them here, III take care Of them. / al
ways liked children, and IL shall cost
you nothing. Father will let me have
the big north bed room for q nursery,
and their board won't signify. They
can 90 to the public school, and I'll
make their clothes, If you'll buy the ma
terial." -.
"Aurilla, you are a genuine womanr"
said Mr.. Clay, ear nestiy. None Of my
cousins have spoken TO me like this"
"Perhaps-perhaps they didn't think
Of i'll" faltered Aurilla.
Possibly" dryly remarked Mr.. Clay.
but, Aurilla," gently retaining her
hand, "is it Of NV children only that
you think2 Have you no tender, plying
feeling-the sweet sensation that Is akin
to love, you know-for me? Aurilla will
you be my wife2"
And Aurilla did not refuse.
Now that you have promised to mar.
~ me" said Jerome Clay, II will tell
you all my plans, Aurilla. | have
bought a house here
Here, Jerome2"
Eyes, here. Will you come with me
to look at i'll"
81 will go wherever you wish, Je-
rome" said the bride-elect, in a sort of
innocent Dewllderment.
Mr.. Clay put her into a little carriage
at the door, and drove her pthe noun
tain.side. through the huge, stone gate
way of White Castle, to the velvet lawns
in front Of the colonnad1I portico,
where statues Of Ceres and Proserpina
stood in dazzling marble on either side,
and an antique sun-dial marked the
golden footsteps Of the God Of Day.
cts a beautiful place!" said Aurilla, :"
he answered quietly, sit is our home"
"You mean TO tell me, DEAR" cried
the delighted widow, that you've been
fortunate enough to receive the agency
| thought Mr.. Wright"
"Mr. Wright is the agent STILL" said
Clay.
what / mean is that l have bought
White Castle and its ground. This fine
old house is to be your home hencefor-
ward, Aurilla."
"But, Jerome, I thought you were q
poor mann"
"Did l ever tell you so?" he laughing
ly retorted. ibid l ever tell anyone sol
II the good people in Elm Mountain
choose to believe me a pauper, is it fair
to hold me responsible foI
their rash consciousness No, Aurillal
In money, / am rich rich beyond my
widest aspirations. But when first ]
came to Elm Mountain, / believed
myself bankrupt, indeed, in the sweet
coin of love and human kindness. Sweet
heart, II is so With me now. 1t vas vOuI
land that unlocked the gate Of happi.
ness to me; il shall be your hand that il
10 reap the rich reward"
he bent, and kissed her forehead ten.
DERBY.
But the children2" she cried.
"The children are with their materna.
aunt, at the Windsor hotel in New
York" he answered. "The boy is sooI
10 enter college, and the girls are boil
nnnanad 10 hn rnnrrind "a anrthn.n -