The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-01-18

y
cept my meaning from a paterntal
standpoint and | am we'll aware
believe me-of the slight difference
in our respective ages. But didn't
wish to adopt May as my daughter.
| love her, and would win her for my
wife"
'.Your wife, man!' circulated Fa-
bian, starting back in amaze. "N by.
the child is scarcely out Of the nurse
ry, and you u-vou-why, We were
college boys together, Arnold -
Il told you a moment since ] wa
not forgettul of my age; but remem-
Der YOU married, Fred, when you
were twenty. May is eighteen, an /
| am Thirty six-just double her age,
out not too old to love Ter with 4
t'ervor younger man might envy
me. Fred, II | can gain her consent.
| may have yours -
Mr.. Fabian Outstretched his hand.
and grasped that of his friend.
Il can't realize it all IN a minute,
INV dear boy. but [ know no man to
whom [ woull as soon intrus5 my
Iarling. But can it be that she loves
u,and | have been SO blind as never
70 suspect =
Il dare not believe she loves me-.
out | hope to win her love- answer
ii Mr.. Arnold. quietly. and then
stepped out through the window in
10 the lawn.
A vivid blush overspread the girl S
ace as he approached.
Down, Carlo-down!'' she COM
manded the dog, and advanced to
meet him ON the green, velvet,y
sward
Was she prepared for the earnest
words which told her of his hope, and
now the verdict rested with her
If so, she evinced no surprise. save
shat the color deepened in her cheek.
md the low Yes p which fell like a
whisper from heaven on his ear,trem
bled in its utterance.
Dick Arnold hal won her promise
to become his wife Yet it SCENE;
nut Yesterday That he had hell hcf
On his knee a little. prattling child.
whose ROSY fin ,ers penetrated into
hidden pockets for hid len sweets,
wen as she herself had pentrated
nto the innermost receSses OF his
cart.
She was chill to him Still. II
would keep her child always. h.
said to himself. Her path should be
/ bed of roses, and not a singh
morn should pierce her iiJtle feat.
1t was singular engagement The
iovers were rarely alone, and Mr.
Arnold's footing hal always been so
lose and intimate as one OF the
honsehoid-that there was Ii tie
.hanye.
True. he never cane now without
some rare and beautiful gift for May
put latterly she received these with a
sort of pctulance. and tossed them.
the next moment. carelessly aside.
Once. just before her wealing-day
she burst into passion of tears; but
she would give him no explana ion OF
their cause.
| He remembered them, later, in con
nection with the arrival. tnat SAM
afternoon. of young sollier-cousin
who had b,en biiden to the welding
and mad 0 btained special leave to Dy
present.
After dinner, May and this cousin
-Atall, splen Unlocking young fell
low-strollei together out upon the
lawn.
As once before. Arnold and her
father stood watchin. her.
They LOOK we'll to .ether. do the:
not o. said the latter. Il used t.
fancy Will had a preference for May
but don't think NV acumen in suct
matters has proved itself very acute
And, with light laugh, he turned
wav.
But Arnold stool motionless, his
eyes fixed on the two figures on the
lawn. Standing there. he felt al
old man In that moment, Mays
acceptance of him appeared sacri-
fee, hut to give her up now
He could not even carry out the
thought.
Pshaw! What brightness coulG
this panniless suoaltern throw into
her life? And her father hat
fancied only his preference for her
not hers for him.
He made gesture as if throwing
off burden. and walked out towarc
them. AS he approached, the youns
lieutenant was speaking.
Its driving me to desperation
May p were the words borne to hi
ear.
And as May turne1 to greet him
! glistening tears were in the azur;
eyes.
Three days after, she became hi:
wife, and when the solemn VOW
were spoken her voice was clearer
more distinct, than his.
Lieutenant Crosby bore his share
in the ceremonies we'll, too. Blu
never did Dick Arnold's ylan:e fal
on him without shu llerins reccoi
, lection Of the worls he had hear'
him utter on the lawn