Connecticut western news. [volume] (Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.) 1871-1970, 1885-04-08


with a hoarse, sullen cry. The sail
mist drenched my hair, the winds tore
and shrieked around me, and overhead
hung the pitch black sky.
Suddenly I heard step and, looking
up, saw Herbert himself. I started with
surprise.
ST have been lowering about all day, u
he said. 81 had given up hope of see.
ing you. But still could not tear my.
self away"
"You did not doubt me ?" I cried.
ooh, Herbert p
My look, my tone, even more than my
words, treasured him.
t'Thank God r. he said, drawing q
deep breath. "Thank Godl 1t is not
true, then, what I hear. You are not
| going to betray me ?"
''Betray your"
II was told you were to be disinherit-
ed unless you married Randolph Heath,
and that the temptation has been too
great for you. I did not believe it. And
yet, and yet-forgive me, darling, see
I was wrong-I was fearfully afraid"
"Be afraid no longer" I whispered,
Nesting to his broad breast "What are
broad acres and cleaning jewels to your
dear love? I am yours and yours
only" ., - 49,. =... es-. g..
He bent and kissed me. After while
he said, 81 do not fear for your fidelity,
but / do fear for the persecution you
may suffer. It is, but short walk to
the little church. / know the rector
he was, I find, one of my old school.
mates. Be mine tonight and will &c
away content. Not till you permit il
shall the marriage be made public
81 am yours" I said, "but let it be
tomorrow evening. will tell my aunt
in day or two afterward. Poor aunt,
it will need that time to prepare her."
It was arranged, therefore, that ]
should meet my lover al the same houl
next evening, and with parting EN-.
brace 1 hurried in, lest 1 should be
! missed.
Aunt Mordaunt was in futter OF ex-
element the next morning. She had
just received letter saying that Ran
dolph Heath had returned and would be
at Delmar Hall by sunset.
! ''Now, Charlotte, my love-" she said
busting into my chamber before I was
awake, "do try and look your best to-
night. You are beauty, I know, but q
charming tbilet sets you off amazingly.
Lay off your heavy Grape just for to-
night and wear that white silk with the
lily-of-the-valley trimmings. You must
fascinate this Randolph Heath at the
outset; it will be quite comfortable to
have him at your feet, for you must
marry him, my dear; you are too sensi-
BILE girl to make beggar of yourself. ="
l only smiled in answer, and I suf-
fered my maid to array me in the
dainty silk. But at set of sun, instead
of receiving Randolph Heath in the
grand parlors of the hall was speeding
away with my lover toward the old
ivy covered church, built of bricks i'm
ported from England a century and a
half before; the church where the Del
mars for five generations had been
married. In the soft glitter of the early
starlight we were welded. An hour
after i was home again. But as I as
cended to my room remembered that
] had looked my last upon the blinking
Delmar diamonds and on the broad
lands of the hall.
I had hardly closed the door behind
me when my aunt entered.
Charlotte, you must come down at
once; you must indeed" she said.
Randolph is in the drawing-room and
asks to see you. Don't be odd. Here,
Lucille, do your young lady's hair.
1 stood uncertain. .....r...# d. g
"And now, my dear, do put on your
diamonds" continued poor auntie, fut'
tering round me; "you should always
wear gems. they become you"
''But, auntie, the diamonds are moi
mine," began, wishing time to think
I was almost ready, then and there
to tell the truth. But I pitied auntie
and hesitated.
"But they will be, my love, as soor
as you marry Randolph HEATH" she
urged.
ST shall never marry him." I an
, swered.
"We shall see, my love. At any rate
come down and welcome him. Tha
much is due, at the least"
} This decided me. It was his due
. AS We descended to the grand drawing
room where my grandfather's adopte,
son awaited us, I stopped for momen
on the stairs and gazed around me witt
almost d sigh of regret. In few day
/ must go out from the dear old plac
disowned and disinherited. Poor auntie
> the blow will fall heavily on her.
Shutting my hand involuntarily owe
! the marriage ring upon my finger, I TO
l lowed my aunt, my heart in my mouth
A tall figure arose as we entered and &C
i vanced to meet us. heard my aunt
warm word of welcome, and then fel
my own hands grasped, and looked ur
I cried out in amazement, for tn
|. stranger was Herbert Stanley, my new
u ly-wedded husband.
"Can I hope that you will ever fol
o give me?" he said, with smile. 81 al
o Randolph Heath. have known of ii
proviso to your grandfather's will &c
2 years. But as I wanted you to love m
for myself, if you could, I planned
Q meet you last summer. Can you forgiv
me 2" ..--.1. ,
l. ]. looked up into his dear, kind faS
J. HNp matter who you ares or what 70
2 platnied.n I answered, putting my han