The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-12-20
thousand demands and forms Of society, but

thousand demands and forms Of society, bu
they weary her infinitely.
Not one word since their parting has she
heard from her lover; but, as she had truly
told him, neither time nor place can change
her heart" and deep down in its pure re
cesses Is still enshrined one handsome, darl
face, with grave brow and speaking eyes.
what do you think Renie Andrews tOl(
me this morning." Ida says month later
'Pm sure do not know" ITALIA replies
looking up from the book she is reading.
"Well, what would you say II my cor
oneted destiny were even now on his way
TO England? Renie tells me that her cOusiI
from Ireland Is to arrive In time for hel
fete, and that with him is to come verita
BILE Cresus and heir to prospective title.
Renie says that he Is handsome, too, for she
has seen his picture. tell you what
Thaiia, feel II in my bOnes-as nurse uset
70 say-that this young stranger will not re
turn to his ancestral acres as unencumberef
Is he comes. Some English girl will Ger
tainly captivate him; and why should il moi
be your humble SERVANT"
BY the time her cousin finishes, ITALIA!
face is full Of the amusement she cannot re
press; but Ida is too much engrossed with
her pleasant fancies TO notice or be Offend
ed. That same afternoon the pOstman
brings letter TO Thalia, addressed In bold,
manly characters. She has never seen Har'
rvs writing, and yet her fingers tremble,
and her soft cheek Pushes, as she opens the
envelope; for something tells her whose
ka hnr n ~
few lines:
you so)-Ths day in which l write brings
YOU your twenty-first birthday, and the end
OF the period Of our probation. IL you re-
member and still adhere to the words you
said as we parted, send to me a cluster OF
lowers like TO those | took from you as q
remembrance, and which have worn ever
since close to the heart that beats now as
fervently for you, and you only, as 1t DID
then, three years ago.
An address follows. The next mail bears
with it Thalia's answer What it is the
reader may surmse.
The weeks glide by, and at length, to lda's
great delight, the day OF the lOoked-fOr.
ward-to garden fete dawns. Ida looks re
gally handsome. Thalia's quaint simplicity
of dress suits the girlish style well. The
afternoon is waning, and as yet no diStin'
guished stranger has made his appearance.
1t is warm, and, little tired by game
Of lawn-tennis, Thalia strolls of to rustic
seat. TnrOwing aside her hat, she leans heI
head upon her hand, and for awhile loses
herself in happy day-dream. Suddenly q
step approaches, and well-remembered
voice speaks her name.
With startled eyes, Thalia springs to hel
feet to find herself drawn 10 warmly-beat.
ing heart.
DO you know me, Thalia?'
/ YES" she whispered; "it is my lover
come back to me-"
He laughs-a joyous laugh.
my constant darling!' he murmured
"And you are still ready and willing t.
poor mans wife?"
I'VE will not be poor, Harry, for we shall
be rich in love-"
A look of almost adoring affection fills the
young mans earnest eyes as they rest upon
the sweet, dOwncast face.
II have something to tell you, little one, u
he said, that will surprise you. l went &c
Ireland expecting to find a relative, old
poor and needy; found an uncle, titled
and the sole representative of rich and
powerful family. His letter had been word
ed thus to try me. He was In need, he said
of affection. found him waiting and long
ing to extend to me the fathers love
had never known, and | stand here to-day
as his heir, waiting to claim the wife wht
loved me when poor and obscure, and who
l trust, will care for me just as much in my
changed circumstances"
you are lucky little thing!' Ida says
when the truth is made known to her, land
/ think your case proves that after all it doe:
pay to be constant and true"
And much to her worldly mothers cha
grin year later, instead of waiting for thu
often-,alked of cOronet, Ida gives her hand
some self, indifference and listlessness left
behind, to poor young bank clerk whose
only claim to consideration is an honest
loving ear.-Erchdnge.