The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-05-15

appraised to the quiet sky, and then she
turned silently toward the house. A
bright light from the library window
streamed down on her, and as she looked
up she saw the shadow of bowed fig
ure fall across the curtain.
Father you are saved!" she muir
INJURED.
A hand was laid suddenly upon her
arm, and she started with low cry.
"Good evening, Miss May; said Colon
e1 Leighton. II have been seeking
YOU"
She bowed, and stood silently before
him with a calm downcast face.
II have been talking with your faith
en-" he continued, earelessly pulling a
rose from bush: near them. -"He told
me that you have promised to think of
my proposal, and let us know tomorrow.
Is there anything I can say which will
influence you to form that conclusion in
my favor?"
"You cannot say anything which will
influence me in the least, Colonel Leigh
ton. AS my father has said, you shall
have my answer tomorrow"
"He glanced at the young face so sad
in it's calm dignity, and then looked
down at his fingers again, which were
busy tearing to pieces the blossom he
held and allowing the crimson petals to
fall at his feet as if they were the frag-
ments of the heart he was breaking.
In the long silence that followed she
glanced up at him once, with the thought
Of finging herself upon his mercy by
giving him her confidence; but the
stern expression of his face repealed
her.
Miss May" he said suddenly, '*you
are averse to this. marriage" :, 80.
His tone aidedin rendering his words
an assertion. She was startled, but re-
pliedtquietly + aDo youthinks 500" !
81 must be blind if Z: could think
otherwise, he continued, with sudden
energy: May Warren you know that
you hate me-that you would rather die
than become my wife, were it not for
your fathers sake"
Before she realized what she was do
ing the monosyllable eyes" slipped
from her lips.
''And in doing this do you realize
how you would wrong us both?''
She was silent.
"It shall never be Ishal never call
you my wife, knowing that you do not
love me--that your heart is not in my
keeping.,eI Will NOT tell you of my
hopes, how have dreamed that my last
days would, *bea my happiest ones-it
would not interest you. Now l. have
only to say that you are as free as if I
had never seen your sweet face"
He paused fora reply, but she made
none, Bewildered by her position, she
did not know what to say:
II know that have only myself to
reproach," he went on. my motive in
offering your father my assistance was
apurely selfish. one. Theconsequences
are only what I deserve. T had nc
thought Of the long years during which
he had been my true and faithful friend,
but took advantage of his position to
gain my own ends. Yes, lam properly
punished"
There vas bitterness in his tone, a
dependency in his attitude, that great.
1y changed'e his accustomed digpifed
compos1res of. manner. Half uncon.
scious of what she did, only sensible Of
the pity she felt for him, the young girl
put her hand upon his arm and then
said, softly: -
"Forgive me-"
+ "Forgive me, rather, my child" he
said, gently, taking the little hand in
one of his, for the misery I have caused
you. I should have known that ou1
paths, in life could never be one. But
goodnight, will not detain YOU"
| She did not shrink from him as he
bent down to kiss her forehead with his
last words. He stepped aside to allow
her free passage to the house, but she
did not move.
,"You are thinking of your father, he
said. 'Do not be distressed on his &C
count. Remember me in your prayers
tonight, and sleep sweetly. It is all
ask"
He did not wait to hear her fervent
"God bless your or witness her burst
Of joyful tears, but quickly lefthe
| The morning sunshine streamed bold
lyinto the apartment of oldMr. Warren
| where he lay in the heavy sleep of men
tai and physica Exhaustion. The fore
noon was far advanced when a servant
reused him, informing him that Colonel
Leighton waited him in the library
Making a hasty toilet, the old man left
| his chamber and went to join his friend
The gentlemen, met cordially, and Col
onel Leighton Immediately suggested
chat May might be sent for. They
waited but o few minutes before the
door swung noislessly open, and wear
ling a white morning robe, the young
girl entered. At a motion from he1
father she sat down upon low seat at
his feet and then glanced up with a con-
fiding smile at Colonel Leighton, who
stood leaning against the mantlepiece
with an expression of face half-sad, half
admiringly.
ave are waiting for your answer,
May" said Mr.. Warren, quietly.
II will leave the matter; entirely in
Colonel Leighton's hands," she replied.
The old man glanced perplexedly
from her to his friend. Colonel Leigh
ton stepped forward.
"My old friend, James Warren" he
said, II met your daughter last night
and talked with her. discovered with
what feelings she regarded a marriage
with me, and cannot allow the sacrifice
she would make. for your sake. 1 will
never marry her she is free. And now
I have to ask your pardon for the un-
manly way in which I have
taken advantage of your en-
barrassments and have =" come
so near to destroying the happiness OF
your child. Every power of mine shall
be exerted to its utmost to relieve you,
and all the reward I ask is thaty you and
May do not despise me: Nay, nay, no
thanks. Ideserve rather to be scorned
for the part I have acted. I have one
favor to ask, old friend. Will you al
low me to choose a husband for your
daughter?" =.
+stYou have my full and free permits
sion," replied Mr. Warren, smiling
through his tears. "But I hope you
will Be more successful in your choice
than have BEEN" =.
"Never fear," said Colonel, with q
glance at May, Flinging open door
that led to another apartment, he called
CHOW my boyp and Mark Winchester
sprang into the room.
behold your future son-in-law, !" said
!. Colonel leighton, and ere the old man