The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-05-01

Of thnt sort, TO marry woman for tho
sake Of her money. No, hum! Won
ders will never cease in this world.
wonder ii my news had anything to
| do with his sudden illess. / wish / was
In lis place, though, as regards M IS
Hettie; what lucky dog he IS. And
having arrived ut his destination his
thoughts turned into another channel.
CHAPTER III.
| coScLusION.
Three days after the opening Of onr
story, SO uncertain il the disease called
consumption, Aunt Cynthia was taken
much worse. She ordered her LAWYER
to he sent for without delay. And
the parrot which shc had been very
particular about, and which was placed
in the most conspicuous place in tho
room (pcrchcd on the high mantcl-shelf
just in range with her own bed,
whera she could feast her eyes OH il
constantly, looked down from its lofty
perch with those wonderful glass eyes,
(which seemed to 1link and wink, !" tho
old lady said, with its accustomed
affection at her.
She badc her nieces good-by, lingcr-
ing longest over the bowed head and
fast falling tears Of Hettie, whom sho
impnlsively kissed, then said family:
"You have been good girl, niece,
and leave you oil ] have. But, Me-
hitable, grant me dying request, will
you2"
'Oh, anything, auntie!' replied the
sobbing Hctt;e.
1T will be harder than you think for,
/ fear, niece, SO prepare. Promise me.
Oh this, my teath-bcd, that you will
never marry Gordon Lyle"
"Oh, auntie, is it really necessary?
/ Must sacrifice my love----?"
Enough, Mehitable! II you wish to
rec mo die happy you will not hesitate.
It is for your own good, believe me.
He is not worthy your pure love, and
some day You may remember my words.
Am 20 ing, niecel BE Quick,
| OF it -ba--toU-late--"
"Oh, yes, auntie, 1 promise!" said
the poor girl, cbokingly; "only bless
me before you leave mo.
The dying woman placed her hand
on the bowed head Of tho weeping girl,
and, in faint, quavering tones, said: !:
Bless yon, my darling Mchitab!e! !!
May God be good To-"
Her breath grew fainter, and she
was no more.
The next day as Hettie and Marion
were making some preparations for the
| funeral, nptc was brought by tho
postboy for Miss ryder. Wondcringly
Hettic opened it, read it, then, with
pale face and flashing eyes, mechanic
ally handed it to Marion.
"Read that" size said.
did l not read him Alright? The
wrctch!" exclaimed Marion, angrily.
"How dare he:"
The note was from Gordon Lyle, and
ran thus:
MISS RYDER-Mr DEAR HETrIE: I scarcely
| knew Row to begin. ! esteem you very
highly: nay, love You as brother loves a
sister. but fear have made mistake in
| asking you to marry me- under the circum-
STANCES. In fact, care for some ono elsc,
| write yoa nj once. Lo2c you will not mind
this much. but, rather, think OF me rs one
not worthy OF your true, loving heart
Yours, rcgretfuly, GORDON LYLE.
"The faithless-"
"Stay, Marion. Perhaps, after all,
have been very fortunate to escape
him. This note saves me the trouble of
acluainting him with my promise to the
dead. How dreaded it! It seemed
so hard to give him up. But now, 10
not know but my love for him may turn
to contempt. That note is cruel, heart
less in the extreme"
The funeral over, the will was read,
which helueathed to Mehitable Ryder
Precious Poll, ard the house and lot to
Marion Gray. few articles Of we'll
worn clothing to her servant, and tho
vast property was disposed Of.
| A few days after the events recorded,
tho following conversation took place
between Marion and Hettie Ryder:
poor aunt" exclaimed Hettie. Il
think l will remove my legacy to my
room to-day, Marion! It will remind
me so much of the giver. That is. il
You will allow me to remain here with
you, coz?'
"You foolish girl to ask such ridic-
ulous question: exclaimed Marion,
while her eyes filled with tears. "Oi
course, this home is as much yours as
mine; at least Just as long as either. or
both of us, remain SINGLE" said the no.
BILE girl.
@But how am l to reach his perch?
never was good at climbing! A ring at
the door! Who can it be. May?"
a gentleman to see Miss Ryder!"
announced the girl at the same moment.
"Show him up, Jane; Twill receive him
in my boudoir."
@Ah! Mr.. Sydney; glad to see you!"
Hettie was heard to say, in her clear.
dulcct tones. As it is you, an old
friend, would YOU think it prcsump-
tuous in mo if ! requested You to assis,
me little"
@Most certainly not. Miss Ryder.
Please step this way"
"Ah, Miss Marion. you're as bloom.
ing as ever. Icame in to help to cast
away some of the recent gloom, il pos.
sihle,' he said, real sympathy in his
look and tone. "How lonely you tive
must be"
"Yes, we have been since the death
of our aunt" candidly avowcl Marion
-We came up here to search for val
liable gold pin which Hettic has hai
the misfortune to lose; and while here
she thought she would remove her bird
to her own room. but cannot climb 81
high very well. The stepladdcr is here
and that was the request she was about
, to ask of you, Mr.. Sydney"
Il am at your command, Miss Ry.
der" the young man z llantly said, a.
he moved the ladder from its resting
place to spot directly under the glass
, eyed parrot. HAS Gordon Lyle beer
here Of late? / met him to-day, and
he looked extremely blue, thought"
Il think you will require some rest
, after you descend from TINT high pin
nacle." Hettie said, as she moved to
ward the door. Marion, l have lef
my duster down stairs. and will be bael
directly" and she walked quickly from
the room, glad Of any excuse to coneea
, the emotion which the mention o
! Gordon Lyle had power to oeca ion.
"Spealinp about Gordon I.ylen sal,