The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-01-15
A Surprise.

|
1.-THE was tall and pretty, witt
~ deep hazel eyes and heavy
| NB glossy braids of dark brow
Geo hair, and her complexion wa
like that of 4-year old chil3, a
she stood in the window, with tn
afternoon sunshine upon her fac
and form. Mr.. Frrol sat opposite
watching her with qniet, observan
eyes, in which lurked q shade of an
noyance.
sAre you in earnest, Oliver"
Eyes, quite IN earnest, George?
"And for the sake of your cousir
Sarah Evelyn's children, you ar
willing to give up your future-ou
future, Olive, as I may call it,"
George, you misinterpret me,
she said, pleadingly. 81 love yol
as dearly as ever did"
"How can l credit your words
Olive, when for the sake Of two mis-
erable children. who are really
nothing to you, you are willing tC
over-run all our bright visions of s
happy, mutual homer
They are orphans, George, and
destitute"
"Then let them be sent to an or
phan asylum"
"Oh, George" the color mounted
rapidly to Olive Merton's cheek
''you ulely would rot have me de
prive my cousins little ones of the
sweet influences of home of theil
ownAyou would never condemn
them to the harsh, sunless life oI
q charitable institutionY
"That's all'sentimental nonsense,
said Mr.. Enrol, coldly. "The up
shot of the matter is that you
don't love me-"
George
"Yes," the embittered lover
went on, almost rudely; fine words
and fearful looks are all very elo
quent, 1 don't doubt, but prefer
to Judge by actions only. at isn't
particularly fattering to me thai
you prefer these orphans to my
love"
George, you know it is not thai
but ought shrink from my man
ifest duty?"
"Just as you choose" he answer
ed coldly; ''but has it ever occurred
to you how you are to support
these two precious proteges OF
yours? 1 believe you have an in
dependent fortune of your own"
Olives eyes fell, and a troubled
expression came over her face.
II must try to obtain a situation
as teacher" she said softly.
"That will be pleasant" remark
ed Mr.. Enrol ironically.
"Our duty should always be
pleasant, George"
The voice was subdued and pain
ed. Mr.. Enrol rose.
'-Since you have chosen your
path l know of nothing that is left
me save to bid you good bye"
Goodbye, George; try to think
kindly of me-" She faltered, and
her little haud trembling in his
palm as frightened bird futters
sometimes beneath the human
grasp.
And so they parted, these lovers
who brief while ago had been all
in all to each other. And Olive
Merton dropped into chair, burying
her face in her hands as sOon
as he was gone.
She had hoped, she had fancied
she knew not what-perhaps thai
George would approve her self i'm
posed duty, and cheer her with his
love in its performance; nay, 1T haG
even crossed her mind, as a remote
possibility, that he might even take
the poor little orphans as well a:
herself to his heart.
Yet she checked herself, even in
the thought. What right had she
toi expect him 10 burden himself
with those little cares and trials
simply because they came to her as
a charge which it was impossible
for her to put away. No; it was
folly, and worse than folly, for hei
TO sit brooding here when the mat
ter was fully decided. The briet
glimpse of sunshine which had
frightened her life in the prospect
of George Errors love and a home
of her own should shine no more
for her; there was no use in turning
away from the leaden-gray path
way which stretched out before hel
girl footsteps. There was one com
fort; the poor little orphans should
never feel the loss of a mother s
love while she lived to toll and
cherish them.
Duty Is often a bitter cup to
drink, but it seldom comes in quite
so uninviting a guise as now held
to poor Olive Merton's lips.
Miss Agatha Enrol, her former
fiance's sister, dropped in a few
days afterward-a stout, bustling
maiden of 20, who kept house for
George, scolded him, mended his
stockings and put all the loose but
tons on his shirts.
Packing your trunk, eh?' said
Miss Agatha. "Going to mover"
''Ot course; l cannot continue TO
board in so expensive a place. "
said Miss Merton, sadly. 81 shall
soon have to maintain the children
as well as myself"
"Humphp' said Miss Agatha; $50
you still persist in setting up an er-
phan asylum on a small scale.
Rather a quixotic business, 1
think"
Olive was silent
when do you expect 'em from
the westF' pursued Miss Enrol.
Son Tuesday of next week"
'Fhat train?"
NJ