The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-08-07

ment believed he was sufficiently infatu-
ated and presumptuouS to ask me to marry
him. He not only asked me to be his wife,
however, but seemed astounded by my
refusal. l laughed at him, ridiculing to
scorn proposal from a man so Young.
unknown, and above all penniless. we
parted in bitterest anger; for he was proud
high-sprited, passionate as myself. But
as time went by, found, too late, alas
that l loved this proud young artist whom
l had scorned in Rome-loved him with
love your girlish heart could
not understand. | said too late;' l
thought SO then; but now, thank
heaven, have seen him once again. He is
coming here tonight and 1 will tell
him -" Bending over me once more
she kissed my forehead. speaking the last
words in whisper: 'Can you guess, my
child, what | will tell himl'
"Ihat-you love him!"
"Yesw
But Mrs. Dalyel, forgive me, are you
quite sure that he-that he still loves your
l asked, trembling, surprised at my pre-
sumption; for, could anyone who had once
loved her, fail to love her all his hfe'
do you suppose, Lucy, that having on ce
ioyed me -"
Hal 1t was an answer to my thoughts
She broke off suddenly; then continued in
different tone.
after all, this is only leading, my child,
is as interesting to me now as is my own. l
have found husband for you. The man
to whom, il marry again, my fortune
goes is coming here. have correspondent
with him through my solicitor, and this
letter, concerning the affair reached me to-
day. l took it this morning to the Roman
Bath, to read to you, but we missed each
other somehow, and since then other
thoughts have filled my mind. He says: i
am ready to marry your protegee as soQp
as she will have me, and will call upon y&t
on the evening of the day you receive thfs'
letter 1t is short and to the point. He has
plenty of strong, good sense, this dear
stockbroker cousin, you may be sure!
NY solicitor tells me he is not rich. Stock
broking has not flourished with him it
seems. But with my fortune-mine that
shall forfeit to marry the man | love-you
will make quite a grand match, my child.
Stand up and let me look at you, little
bride elect
Mechanically, at her bidding stood up
What else was there for me but to obeys
What poor little trembling mouse it
is How white and scared you look Oh,
but you will be very happy with your
stockbroker-far happier than painting
pots and plates, my dear He will be here
to-night-and my lover too"
was still standing in front of her aud
she was looking at me with her beautiful
eyes and smiling red lips. l tried to speak
but knew not what to say. In my agony,
my right hand clutched little cord about
my throaS So strong was the grasp that
the thread snapped suddenly, and large
medallion, till then concealed, fell to the
ground at Mrs. Dalyers feet. She saw at
glance it was miniature of Horace, and
looked at it closely as she took it in her
hands, then from it to me.
How came you by this?n she asked in
tone in which pride was strangely mingled
| with surprise.
Mrs. Dalyel, Ipainted it from memory
"You! Is it possible you know Mr..
Lorenzol Why are you SO slow in an
| swering. Speak, Lucy
Il knew him many years ago. replied
IN q voice did not recognize as my own.
| HE lodged in our house. We were always
| poor, you know. He lodged with US in
| London before he went to Rome. l was q
| child Them
But this is a picture of him as he is now.
| 1t is like, wonderfully like" she said, look
| ing at 1t abSently. then suddenly up at me.
But, child, child why do you look like
| that: There is something more. Tell me,
| for heavens sake tell me- She caught
my hands and held them so tightly that
| she hurt, while her eyes seemed to burn like
| fire into mine. Tell me-what is this man
| to youE
ITO me! To me," Igasped, all the sup
| pressed passion in me rising at her words
| Mrs. Dalyel thow can YOU suppose that
! he is any thing to me: Have you not said
he is-your loyer.''
And snatching my hand away, 1 fled
| swiftly to my room. On reaching my own
| little chamber | sat down at the toilet-table
| dazed and helpless a long time must have
| passed for it was dark when some one
| Knocked at my bedroom door, Ii was Mrs
| Dalyecs maid.
will you please go to the sitting-room,
| Miss Nane," she said. And the next moment,
without pause for thought was turning
| the handle of that door
| The bright light daZzled me at first, but |
| was able to perceive that there were two
| persons in the room-Mrs. Dalyel and a
| gentleman. He had his face turned from
me; he was partly hidden by the window
| curtains
Mrs. Dalyel rose. She was deadly pale
| her lips compressed and bloodless her head
was thrown back proudly. She scarcely
seemed to see me, but the look in her eyes
| was terrible.
Lucy Vane," she said in hard, set
voice, out of which all the old music had
| departed: Il told you that was interested
| in your welfare, and that, in accordance
| with the custom of my country, | was ar
| ranging marriage for you. You are
aware that my late husbands cousin is
ready to marry you He is here, and de-
sires that present him to you Miss Vane
Mr.. Horace Dalyel."
| So saying and drawing herself up to her
| full height she swept proudly from the
| room. Horace! | started at the name,
then raised my eyes to the man who, after
| she had pronounced his name-and not be-
| fore-turned and came few steps towards
| me. My heart gave a bound anG then stood
still at sight of him.
"Ah, what a charming little comedy this
has beenn' he exclaimed, laughing, as he
came forward eagerly with outstretched
hands; but | clasped mine behind me and
drew back.
Lucy won't you speak to me till l ex-
| plain! Well, then, my darling, sit down
| here while | tell you my story as short as ]
| can make it, for | want to see you your
own dear, smiling self again"
| sank mechanically into the chair he
| placed for me, and he continued:
you know when l lodged with you that
l was bent upon being an artist, but | did
not tell you my real name. or that my
| cousin-many years my senior and my
guardian-did all he could to dissuade me
| from my intention. determined to be the
master of imy own destiny, however, and
without informing anyone except your
! father. went to Rome and studied there
under the name you know me by-Lorenzo
In order to enjoy my freedom to the fullest
and to snap all links of habit l gave out
that had gone upon the Stock Exchange
| 1t was happy thought for by that means
l completely ostracised myself from my
cousin and his set"
He paused moment, then went on more
rapidly;
| Sin Rome, many wears afterwards, by a