Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-13
HIS LITE LOVE.
A snowy January afternoon.

the snow blowing across the whitened
fields, and heard the sweep OF the wind
among the leatiess branches and against
the window-panes.
A gentleman of about thirty stood by
the window, one arm resting on little
shelf, and eyes bent on the girlish face
beside him. He was not handsome, vet
his was face one would look at with
as much or with more interest than if
the features were as perfect as Apollo's
own.
The eyes and mouth were full of pow
er, the former especially, wonderfully
expressive. and. as he spoke now, full
of easy. quizzical regard.
..Are you afraid of me Miss Marion?
Do you think shall prove tyrannical
or lenient guardian?"
Il am not the least bit afraid of you,
sirv' the young lady called Marion an
swered, in q cold business-like voice,
looking him in the eye.
Not afraid? How strange" he
said. the smile around his mouth deep
ening.
do you generally inspire those who
meet you with awe, Mr.. Vann?"
II am q lawyer" he replied, "there-
fore blessed with second sight. of course
Not only do we judge by the outward
evidence of the thoughts in a clients
heart. but the inner working Of the Vi
tai organ is an open book to US. Your
thoughts now"
He paused.
"Well?" she asked impatiently.
'Are not flattering to me. You con-
slider me an unmitigated bore. very cold
and professionalism good looking.
You long for the school left behind in
the South, where days like this were
unheard of and where the college stu
dents dedicated fowers sonnetsto your
beauty"
The girl flushed and darted a quick,
angry glance at him from the dark eyes
under the little tissue veil strapped
across her nose.
"You are pleased to be sarcastic"
she said, with little sneer and shrug;
but of what matter is it? If it amuses
you, sir, it amuses me infinitely more.
am not afraid of your satire-neither
do l like your
Jerome Vann raised his brows in un-
feigned surprise.
She was so petite, so childish in ap-
pearance, despite her Is years. and the
open animosity she expressed was so
novel. 1t was all refreshing, and he
watched her amusedly as she went to
distant corner and buried herself in
novel, to the complete exclusion of HIM
self
All he could see beneath the book was
a pair of extremely lovely red lips, and
those he wat, he'd steadily, scarcely
ed slowly off by the clock in the empty
waiting room, and a brown curl appear
ed above the rim of the book, then one
curious and brightly angry eye, which
met his and disappeared like flash.
Jerome laughed. He knew that. by
that outburst of mirth, he totally lost
all vantage ground with her. but he
could not help it.
Still smiling, he walked slowly to her
side.
.Do not freeze mel" he said pathet-
ically, holding out his hand; 1--WE must
be friends you know"
Not at air. she said coldly. 81 am
absolutely sure we shall never agree!
Better begin as we shall surely end!'
you dislike meP'
ing the leaf
.And why? Because l have been I'M
fortunate enough to have unwittingly
offended you?"
You have laughed at me. do not
know what name they give that in the
North; but, in Virginia, we should call
that unmannerly."
IF l have been so, Miss Romero, l
sincerely beg your pardon" Jerome
said, stiffiy, and retired to the window,
to whistle the Exile of Erin" in most
distracting discords, until the train
pulled in.
Jerome sat by the library fire. cigar
between his lips, his hands clasped idly.
his eyes almost closed.
He was listening to a story which in
terested him.
A younger man was also sitting by
the fire, a cane in his hand, and his
chm resting on the top of it. He was
a very handsome young fellow. and the
freight playing on his head. turned
his hair to gold. and made the intense.
earnest blue ewes seem black.
Il have loved her from the begin
ming" he said, slowly. Through all
the past months have loved Marion
silently; now / will tell her of it, with |
your permission. and learn my fate
Better ultimate rejection than this suS-
pense."
Med Burlington, you love my
ward? Jerome asked, calmly, and no |
evidence that his heart was beating like
boys could be seen in his face You
love her truly. you say?"
Il do! Upon my honorr' Ned re-
piled. THAT surely is not strange. |
Could a man, seeing her constantly, as
have done, not lose his heart to her?"
"You know. of course, that she was
left a fortune?" Jerome asked again,
in the same quiet way.
81 have heard so. Perhaps, indeed,
it is the on ~ thing to be regretted, for
l love her, and have abundance for
both," Ned answered regretfully.
Her guardian stood up, and his face
was very pale.
ut is no longer to be regretted. Mar
ion has nothing! In the recent failure
she lost it air.
"All!' the young fellow echoed. and
there was silence.
Marion is very proud" Jerome con-
t 'nued. If she knew that she was not
absolutely in ependent of my bounty
she would not stay an hour longer be-
n ath this roof. But. poor child, she
need never know; at least, until after
she has been married."
The deep, expressive voice ceased
with regretful ring, and then he con-
cluded, more cheerfully.
Go, and wish you success in your
Ned wrung his hand and left the
room, and in few moments jerome
followed.
For while the fire glowed on noisily
in the CRATE, the wind hOwled, and the
quiet remained unbroken; then the
hoary valvof foi q Il 20 hoob |