The Osceola times., 1884-03-08

the banisters OF the stairway and soDDed
like weary child.
Mr.. Blake leaned back in his chair,
looking out of the wind Nv, but seeing
nothing of the wide stretch of delightful
scenery. He pressed his hands to his
brow and muttered
at was a mere dream, but il envel-
oped every fiber Of my being. 1t is gone
now-and it IS better so. What right
had | to indulge in such dreams? 1t
was inviolat,on Of my trust, My hair is
gray, my eyer are cavernous. Bah! am
no school-bol =
Soon the pen was dashins over the
fools.cap, and the eyes searching those
learned volumes for succnct and pointed
extracts.
At noon letter was handed to him.
II was from his ward. lie opened it aud
read it, his hands trembling and his face
ashy white. 1t ran as follows;
Ny DEAR GUARDIAN:
| ! have had my answer to Mr.. Glenroy
under careful advisement. At first ]
thought | would accept HIM, to please
You alone, though | should carry stone
in my heart through life. But | have
concluded to refuse him. Furthermore,
have concluded to leave this house al
once. II will be in vain to look for me
my oblivion will be too deep for that
You may ask, I'm view of all her protes
tations and my inyariable kindness tt
her, how can she do this?" | will ans
wer you.
Robert Blake love you'll worship
your very presence. This knowledge has
been present with Inc for year, afford
ing me a calm abiding happiness. Bu
| now see the brink upon which stood
and how delusive have bken my dreams
/ would not write more If could per
haps | should not have written this onl,
| thought that the seeming incOnsistenc,
in my conduct required it. Farewell
dear kind sir, and may Gods choices
blessings always be with YOU.
GRACE
Robert Blake rose to his feet catchin,
AZ his chair To steady himself 4 beau
tiful light came into his eyes, and hi
lips murmured
"How blind have beenl How offer
we men who think we know so muct
find out that we know so little. Dear
dear girl Why should we not both b,
supreTely happy? | will seek you on
at oncew
But the seeking out was in vain. n,
trace of Grace could be found. He con
trolled his grief and disappointment witt
a powerful effort, and plodded on in hi
world of books.
When Glenroy came for his answer
Mr.. Blake informed him of the refusal
and of the unexpected disappearance o
his ward; but he did not tell what he
motive had been. That he kept to him
self 1t was too sacred to repeat to ano
ther, and hlled his heart with preciou
memories.
Three years had passed He was SUN
mering" at Nahant. While strollin,
along the beach one morning he saw
boat overturned in the surf and wo
man struggling in the waves Witt
characteristic bravery he plunged in an,
rescued her.
He was almost exhausted when h,
reached the beach, but his heart throb
bed with tumultuous JOY upon discover
ing that the lif,.less burden he bore wa
none other than his Young ward. NOR
inetlably lovely than ever in the bloom
of womanhood.
He pushed back the damp locks an,
covered her face with kisses. The
seemed to win her back to life, for sh
opened her eyes, and as they rested OF
his face radiance flooded them tina
thrilled every vein.
Grace my darling have found vo
at last" he cried.
"You hav",' she whispered--"and vo,
have saved my life"
You blessed, blessed girl! And yol
have been waiting on ne all these lon
years? You are an angel have you
letter in my pocket. have read it
thousand time. Grace love v1u hay
loved GA fOi 70 :. But | was blind
Oh, SO blind Then the difference il
our years
They are not so many Robert"
"My hair is quite gray
Gray hairs are honorable"
"Gou would not marry me?'
Pray ask me"
God has been too good to me. I vii
be your guardian for life"
And so it was that Mr.. Blake found hi
hgppinpss at last