The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-12-26

tuluk lOW tlldl uc Will uilu TIC Ia
dy. 1t seems that we cannot live at
Mollineaux Manor together, so l
shall have to leave it for her pleas
ure. | can do very we'll"
"Vernon, why do you not marry =?
You young men are very foolish |
think. You spend your best years
in rowing, and, when you are queer
and full of whims, marry some wo-
man to torment, and wonder that
you are not happy. Come now,
there is good suggestion"
at was plan of marriage that
made the trouble"
And you refused ?"
NO, it was the lady"
"What objection could she have
to you Vernon Mollineaux Of a
good age, well looking. certainly,
and pleasant tempered that | can
certify to. What more did she
want? You are fool to give her
another thought. Enjoy your man.
or, look up some more sensible wo-
man, and let her do the best she
can. Miss Delphy, will you pour
some more tea Yes, | say what
else could she want, unless YOU did
not fancy her and she knew it ?"
Vernon Mollineaux glanced up.
| had turned my face away from
Mr.. Travers, and of necessity it was
towards him. For an instant our
eyes met.
she must have known that |
liked her. She gave me no opportu-
nifty to love her. Still, if she could
not love me, it was all fair enough.
There is no justice in Furnishing her
for what was impossible"
yet, | don't see why you 60
away"
If she refuses finally to marry
me, her portion of $4,000 is divid-
ed into various bequests. There is
nothing left to offer her then save
the Manor. | shall insist on her ac-
cepting a home there with my cous-
in. 1t is an unjust an arbitrary
will, and | feel as if | had been the
cause of much suffering to her"
But you cannot find her ?" and
Mr.. Travers looked up perplexed.
81 learned something to-day that
may be of use to my lawyer"
They were through their supper
now, and began to carry away the
things, but Mr.. Travers, still inter
ested, parsued the subject | lost
the bits of argument from going in
and out, but | was thankful for any
change.
Did Mellineaux care? How
could a man love at the bidding Of
another ? Was it not the money, af-
ter all ?
Yet | could not deny that Mr..
Mollineaux had been very courteous
and gentlemanly from the begin
ming. And it touched me that he
should have been making plans for
my comfort. Should | marry Mr.
Travers, and escape him and his
kindness ?
"Mr. Travers," | said coming
back, you will hardly need me for
an hour or so"
Yes; you were going to church, F."
he interrupted, to see what Christ
mas Eve is like to happy young
people"
But Josephine has gone out, and
Mrs. Wilburton is not willing to
have the house left alone. Besides,
think she would not care to try
the cold"
"Allow me to accompany Miss
Delphy Nay, / would much rath-
er. | want to say half dozen
words to her that my past friendship
gives me a right to. We will not be
long away. Get your wrappings
Miss Pauline,
| had not the courage to refuse.
The explanation must come, and
better anywhere than with Mr.. Ira
vers's eyes upon me. | went as
one in a maze. What was it that |
objected to in Mr.. Vernon Mollin-
eaux ? Perhaps if | had not been
80 thrust upon him
We walked out of the wide hall,
through the courtyard into the
!. street. Then he drew my hand
through his arm, until | seemed alb
solutely sheltered by his tall figure.
The bells had done ringing now, but
there was wonderful sense of soft
ness brooding lH the air. | thought
of the shepherd song, Peace on
Earth, and trembled with a great
presentiment.
Are you cold ?" asked the solioi-
tous voice. Miss Delphy, Pauline,
did fate send me here tonight
You were given to me last Christ,
mas"
1T was because of that" | in
terrupted, angry in an instant, my
eyes filling with indignant tears.
Perhaps it was not gracious
giving. would fain have had il
different. When you were a little
girl, too young to think Of lovers
and marriage, | loved you very
much. Your aunt saw it and made
this proposal. | should have reject
ed it with scern, no doubt, but | had
fancy for the child, and desire to
make some human being happy.
However, my plan failed. Since
you will not share Mollineaux Man
or with me as my wife, l want to
make some provision for you as one
would for a dear sister. Will you
not forgive those untoward circum
stances, and let US be friends, a:
least ?"
was disarmed a every point
Anger and indignation were swept
away l had been fighting an imag-
mary lion, and there was nothing
left nae but an ignoble capitulation
of some kind.
II did not dream of your going
away secretly, or | should have
made some offer, some"
Il believe l was hasty." l mur-
INJURED, "but l thought"
That you were to have no choice
in the matter" and he laughed gay
Ily. IF had not wanted you, you
see, could be quite contented with
the home Of my fathers. But am