National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-09-20

10 warn, TO comfort, aud command"
Wordsworth.
"Why, Cyrus Dudley, how you frighten
me-" Patience Ware, the minister's
daughter, coming along through the river
woods, looked up with half-scared
glance in her pretty blue eyes, and could
not suppress certain involuntary shrink
ing, as Cyrus Dudley bounded down tho
steep bank by the roadside, where he had
been ensconced behind tree, and placed
himself in the path directly in front of
her.
The man who had thus thrown himself
in her way laughed, and held out his
hand in nervous attempt to appear
easy. Surely, Patience, you are not
afraid of me-" he said. He was broad
shouldered, handsome fellow, despite the
traces of dissipation which his face ex-
hibited.
NO" said Patience, trying vainly to
look unconcerned, "but you took such an
unusual way of announcing your presence
that / was startled for a moment" She
gave him her hand, but when she would
have withdrawn it he detained 1t in his
grasp. patience" he said, you thought
/ had gone away, cleared out for good,
didn't you? But those blue eyes of yours
played the mischief with me and here
am again. Shall / tell you that / watched
you when you set out to go to the Corners
this afternoon, and followed you clear
through the woods? hadn't the heart
to speak then, after what had passed be-
tween u.s. but l have grown Drawer now.
Patience, you were cruel with me. No
man can ever love you as | do. Take
back the words you spoke, beg of you"
forced to stand and listen to him, the
blue eyes, after one glance into his black
passionate orbs, sought the ground, and
one little foot peeping out from beneath
the skirt of her gown, worked nervously
in the sand. AS he finished, she looked up
with determined effort and said, II don't
know why you persist in forcing upon me
attentions which you know are distaste-
full. / don't know why you pursue a
course which leaves me no alternative but
repeating what / have said to you before.
Cyrus Dudley, / never loved you; never
can, and never will be your wife. l will
be your friend, if you will let me, and
will case to prosecute me, but do not
blanc me for saying that no gentleman
ever presses his suit in such rude way
as this,
Ho dropped her hand. at was the only
way left me, Patience; you will do me the
Justice to admit that. For the rest, my
love must plead with you for my seeming
abruptness. ! can't accept your answer
rs final. Girl, do you know that yor
stand between me and ruin? With yor
by my side / should be man; without
you the fiend in my nature overpowers
me. Think of your creed, Patience
Arc you willing to take upon your sou
the responsibility of casting me adrift?
The blue eyes are not bent upon thu
ground now, but looking straight into tn
swarthy face of the man who addressed
her. The color burns in her fair cheek
and an expression of scorn shows in he
features Cyrus Dudley, this is infa
nous. For shame! Where is your sens
of honor How do you expect me eve
again to respect you; ever to think of yo'
again save with contempt, after such
pitiful appeal? CO. Leave me, an
never show your face to me again, unit
you have thoroughly repented of sue
baseness."
The indignation in her tones forced tn
man to cover at first, but as Pauenc
darted forward TO pass him. he thrust on
his hand and grasped her arm. At tina
moment the sound of approaching wheel
caught his ear. As she glanced up a
him his face was livid with passion, an
his eyes cleaned like Goals AS he said /
quick, kissing words you have scorne
my love. and cast me off as though weT
of no more account than dog. PatienC
Ware, mark my words, you will live
roget this day. If you will not be IN
wife, rest assured no other soul shall eve
claim you i am not blind. i know fc
whom | am rejected. My fortunes ar
down; his the people say, are climbin
up, but they'll never reach the height 9
which he aims"
He was gone; and Patience, nearl
fainting from excitement, leaned u
against friendly tree for support. In
moment horse and carriage came
view down the road, and as it neared til
spot she recognized the occupant of ii
vehicle as Mark Sherwood, the youu
schoolmaster.
why, Patience" exclaimed this pc
son as he drew rein beside her an
leaped lightly to the ground, 'how pa
you are; are you ill; has anything ha
penedW Without waiting for his que
lions to be answered, seeing how di
tressed she was, he assisted her into q
carriage, and getting up, supported b
with his arm, while he drove slow
away. As soon as she had recovered h
self command Patience explained q
nature of the interview she had just hi
with Cyrus Dudley, and his violent spec
at its close. Marks cheeks flushed at t
recital THE coWardly miscreant,"
said, ITO threatep aladyi II Ia well