Weston weekly leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 1878-189?, 1885-06-19
A SAB FATE.

A SAD FATE.
Through the twilight shadows Mlllie
crept to my side, and seatiRg herself on
an ottoman, pillowed her curly head up.
on my knee.
| knew that some confidence was
about to be reposed in me, for was her
only living relative-Millie Beresford's s
best friend.
"What is it. child?" I asked, laying
my hand upon the nut-brown locks.
She glanced up with shy eyes, her
sweet face flushing little under my
gaze.
Edgar has-has-" she hesitated.
81 know, DEAR" I whispered; she
loves you and has asked you to be his
wife,
The brown eyes dropped.
''He is SO good, Aunt Rachel" she
said softly, 'and l love him so! You
are satisfied with my choice, are you
not?'
| kissed her tenderly. I was all alone
in the world and Millie was like an own
child to me.
sQuite satisfied" I returned. ftBut,
dear, you have been out in the evening
air SO long, and you are not strong, you
know; I fear you will be ILL.,"
For the taint of hereditary consump-
ton was in her blood, and l was always
very tender OF my one eve lamb. Even
as I spoke saw a slight shiver creep
over her delicate form, the red flush fad
ed from her checks, and | heard sound
which was daily growing more familiar
to Iny ears-a slight, hacking cough.
1t was like knell of doom to ME, and
my heart sank like lead in my bosom.
There was a quick ringing step upon
the walk outside my window, and n.o-
ment later Edgar Devereaux had enter
ed the room.
Edgar Devereaux-tall. handsome,
manly, and evidently very much In
love with my darling. He was wealthy
aud very popular; Mile was poor-he
could take care Of her. The match WIS
in every way desirable. 1 was glad to
see the child's future provided for, and
gave my consent freely when Edgar
spoke, as he proceeded to do, in an ear
nest, straightforward way.
| So the matter was settled then and
there and the two were betrothed
The days that came and went to Ed
/ gar and Millie were SO full of perfect
, happiness that began to believe thai
in this case at least the course of true
love does sometimes run smooth. He
!. was perfectly devoted to her, and they
t were never happy apart.
So the time flew ly on rose.colerei
!. wings; winter was half gone now ane
. they were to be married in June.
c 1t was early springtime that we frs
u met Mr.. Hosmer, an elderly man-s
: widower and very weathy-far more 81
e than Edgar Devereaux. Mr.. Hosme
It was presented to Millie and proceede.
= :, forthwith to fall desperately IN low
n with her. 1t being his nature to settl
e all important questions at issue speed
l. ly, he sought ME and asked for Mile
hand in marriage.
o OF course l told him of the engage
8 ment existing between the girl and MI
> Devereaux; he was gr atty disappoipte
and chagrined, but withdrew with a
much grace as possible. which was al
l that was left for him to do.
= In che meantime I was watching Mi
- lie with tender solicitude. The inclem
II ent season was always trial to he
Is weak lungs; now l could net fail to sc
s. her growing weakness, nor hide tn
i truth from my own heart-she was fai
le ing rapidly.
1t OEe day in March--a clustering, un
$ pleasant season. shall never forge
=. that day, though l liye a century
$ was passing through the wide hall, jus
II outside the parlor door, which wa
:. standing slightly ajar. was about
7 close it, when 1 heard the sound {
t, voices within the pretty parlor; and ac
10 ing on tie impulse of the moment,
: = glanced into the room
% was quite unebserved by its occt
II pants Mile sat in a big armchair b,
n side the glowing crate, looking fragi
=, as snow-drop in her neat costume (
le pale-blue cashmere, with white lace 1
t throat aud wrists, and white resebu
e nesting amid her brown curly lock
j At her side, leaning against the marb
id mantel, pale and troubled, stood Edga
,s his dark eyes fixed upon vacancy;
n seemed te me almost as if he dared nj
: look her full in the face.
l st is true" he was saying in 10
as and constrained tone; l''we may as we
face the truth now, Millie, and be bra,
y over it. Your health is failing evel
e day-oh, my darling! my darling:
II He caught the slim figure in his arm
;e and held her close to his heart tor
II moment. Surely there could be +
u doubt of his love for her!
70 70 Then he released her. and as she san
"A back into her chair. l saw her press Oh
i'd thin hand TO her aide as though in acu