The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-02-09
DEARER THAN LIFE.

own mind, surely. 1 had always prided
myself upon a certain steadiness of pur-
pose and firmness of resolution, which
| called "strength of character.
1 believed that I had no part nor
share in the proverbial fickleness of my
sex, and when my inclinations and
judgement approached each other in
the selection of my partner for life
never doubted but that my choice was
fixed and settled once for all.
She was a gentle, loving creature ;
not SO pretty as good, but endeared
for her many amiable qualities to all
who knew her. Not very young either.
What does a staid man of thirty want
with foolish, trihing girl?
Milly was ive-and-twenty, probably,
and I thought that the most satisfactory
age possible.
was foreman in large factory where
many girls and women are employed,
and Milly Gray was the 'matron" who
had charge of them.
She earned a good salary. I was a
prudent man, and 1 am not sure but
what that consideration had full weight
with me. Not that 1 would have hesi-
tated about marrying Milly anyway, but
it is good, surely, for workingman to
have wife who can be practically a
helpmate to him.
People fancied she had little money
laid by, but l knew better. Not Out
what she could have had, having work.
ed in the factory steadily these ten years
and earned a good deal; but she had
told me of the use to which she had
put her earnings.
They had gone to educate her half
sister, May Ellis.
"Mother left her to my care" she
said, cat only six years old. I am nine
years her senior, and I have been to
her a second mother. Her beauty-she
is lovely, George-has been my constant
pleasure and pride, and her education
has formed my one ambition and care.
Until knew you, dear''-she nestled
shyly to my side as we walked along-"l
had never known love so strong as my
love for May. I am sure that when you
see her, you will acknowledge she is
something to be proud Of"
thought the little woman who had
so generously devoted her life to this
young girl was much more to be ad-
mired and valued.
drew her little hand-somewhai
Drowned and hardened by its years oi
toil-more closely within my arm, and
pressed it tenderly.
81 am proud of you'll" told her,
"Mere beauty or education can never
for moment hold comparison with
natural goodness like yours. I would
not change my little, sober Milly fol
the brightest beauty in the world!"
Heaven help us! meant it then.
every word, and supposed that l should
never change!
Her soft eyes frightened as I spoke
81 am glad you love me SO, she said
I thank God for it,"
"And you Milly-you love me as
dearly?"
GAS dearly?"
Her tones thrilled with new inten.
sity, her quiet features glowed and
flushed into new and sudden lowell.
ness.
CT love you dearer than my life!
am not eloquent and educated, George,
and-and l think I feel too deeply tc
talk about it. But though 1 seem to
you quiet and shy and dull, under II
all, all the time my heart speaks-and
it says, Il love you dearer than my life u
was delighted with her little inno-
cent outburst. I supposed it fattered
my vanity, for l realized fully how
much it meant from one who was rather
reticent and reserved; she had looked
so pretty, too, when her cheeks flushed
and her eyes sparkled-I liked to think
that could call this glow of beauty in
to life.
'sShe will look so always when she is
a loved and happy wife," 1 thought.
and I began to feel quite sure that wa:
really and truly in love with her.
Alas! poor Milly!
May Ellis was now sixteen, and had
finished her time at school. Milly haC
talked of giving her another year, but
opposed that earestly.
What? would she sacrifice me, a.
we'll as herself to May? and SO the
gentle creature yielded to my wish
which was the young girls also-fol
she wrote that her education was quite
sufficient, now, to enable her to get hel
own living, and relieve her sister of the
burden she had borne SO long and loving
ly.
GA very proper sentiment" | declar
ed, approvingly, and some of the unjus
prejudice which had conceived agains
the unconscious girl began to pass away
from my mind. 1t was settled tha
May should come home for the holidays
and as soon as she could secure a posi-
ton as governess, Milly and l shoult
Il ho ,,,orr,a1