Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-02-05

"She took my hand in both hers, and
pressed her face on it, then looked up
with smile.
"s wish Harry were here, she said
He would help me to convince you. He
always took my side
81 ought not to have told you that,
my poor boy. but it was so fresh in my
mind, as it struck me forcibly at the
time, knowing as l did that you loved
her. Forgive me my want of tact.
" She was not given to shedding tears
like some women or she would have
cried then. Her cheeks were hot and
burning as they touched my hand, while
her eyes were feverishlv bright. She
used every argument she could find to
induce me to consent to her engagement,
and as remained silent she drew nearer
and gazed up eagerly in my face.
- You relent, uncle2 she whispered
in an agitated way. You will let me
be happyp
In that way, never I told her,
sadly and sternly, and I tried to draw
away my fingers; but she clung to them
tightly, while her lips quivered.
".Don't say that; unclep she cried,
hoarsely. Dear uncle, oh, what can
I say-what can say to move YOU?
You think was very hard, Harry, |
see; but thought it best.
80 Hush. child I said. Nothing
will influence me. am resolved
@ sAnd SO am /, she said, sorrowfully,
dropping my hand and rising to her feet.
Z should always have wished to please
you; but now that you are harsh and
unjust, and will not listen to reason, what
can do?"
eShe waited for me to speak; but l
had no words at hand. was too hurt
and angry. She went toward the door,
then came back and stood behind me,
resting her hands lightly on my shoul-
ders.
"sTry and forgive me, uncle. love
him SOL love his faults that make you
despise him, and his virtues that you do
not know. Won't you kiss me, uncle?'
& I was half inclined to take her in my
arms and tell her she should do what
she would; but did not After few
minutes Of dead silence I heard her
catch her breath in half sob, and then
the door closed upon her, and l was
alone.
The next day she did not ccme down
before | went to the city. and when l
came home she was gone. have for
given her now, Harry; but it was cruel
blow After all my love and care did
not think she could have left me like
thatl
"Why, Trot, you look quite fright
ened I'm not cross, my pet.
"Yes, yes, my boy, I'm going on; but
you are SO impatient. Well, some time
aiter--a year, or two years perhaps, I
can't remember exactly was coming
home at dusk-in the Strand l think it
was, met woman in shabby black
dress, with child on her arm; our eyes
met, and then somehow or other we were
the center of crowd, and I was raising
Violet's head from the hard pavement.
She had tainted on seeing me, and | had
just contrived to save her and the little
one from a severe fall.
g brought her home in cab, and my
housekeeper helped her into bed. Harry,
she was next door to starvation, when
that accidental meeting gave her back to
me-for only three days. | was too late
to save her.
you hare forgiven me2' she asked
that evening, as sat by her bed,
g I forgave you, my chill, long since
but not him who has brought you to this.
Where is he?'
!" Dead, sald the poor girl, in faint
whisper. Don't speak i'll of him. can't
bear it,
II asked her why she had not let me
know she was in distress she had
not come home.
+" i was ashamed TO come, she said.
7 knew you would not turn from me;
but was too much ashamed.
"The next day but one the doctor told
me-what to expect. I promised the
poor child that Trot should take her
place with me. I held the little one for
her to kiss, and had it taken away; and
then
ATrot, my darling, run upstairs to
nurse for awhile; I'll call you down again
| by and by.
'sAnd then, as I said, Violet bade me
goodbye. Her last words They were,
Give my love to Harry
These incessant fogs have very bad
effect on my throat. can't talk for a
length of time without getting like I did
just now, 50 that can't croak out a
word.
ssThere isn't much more to tell, for
tunately, for I'm getting as hoarse as 4
raven.
7 was out, with Trot by my SIDE, one
f-