The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-07-22
a new song to sing you to- night, think

a new song to sing you TO- night, think,
she expects you.'
1T will pain me very muct to disap-
point Miss Lawson the yourz man
said, his tones slightly sarcastic, ''but
I have come tonight to have an inter-
view with you; nay as she drew from
him in surprise not unmixed with in
dignation; may my darling, you shall
hear what 1 have come to say: you
have avoided me long enough. ami left
me so completely to the tender mer-
cies of YOUR cousin that she must be
heartily tired of me; at least, I am tired
of such treatment and want to know
why you are so anxious to fly at my
approach. Is it that my face is disa-
greeab1e to you, nv presence & trial?
Or what is it, Beatrix? l am weary of
being left for the amusement of-par-
don me, dear, since she is your cousin,
amusement OF f'irt, evening after
evening"
chow strangely you talk for a low
er:'' Beatrix exclaimed, trembling !.
little, but trying to be calm. Il am
going in. Why do you linger here
when lone is waiting for your
''Because'-and he took her hands
in clasp from which she could not
free -''because Pwant to tell you
something-to tell yor how dear you
are to me; how it is your brown eyes
that lure me here, not the blue ones
of Your cousin; to tell you that ! want
such love from You as you can give, or
l come no more to the farm! Nay.
VOW never again to put faith in the
| smile of woman! Beatrix, l am
waiting. Can you love me, dear. or
was deceiving myself when l fancied
you cared for me? 1have been mistak-
| en-once, three years ago, when laid
my heart at a woman's feet, anu she
rejected it because I could give her
nothing more. Tell me I am not to
drain the same bitter cup tonight,
Beatrix. Oh, my love, say you do care
for me!''
II d." came 4 low. soft whisper,
and Beatrix found herself clasped in
stantly in the young mans arms and
held closely &c his bosom. my
darling.' he whispered softly: my
brown-eyed, warm-hearted darling! l
will make you very. very happy"'
II have not been very happy of
late." Beatrix said smiling up at him
in the moonlight, her brown head on
his breast. ::Why did you seem TO
care so much for my cousin? 1t was
cruel of ycu-to me, to her?''
''To you, my sweet?' STOPPING to
kiss the ripe lips tenderly. Il watched
for a single sign By which I could
know you cared: At the very first the
farce would have been over. But you
were careless and smiling, seeming
| very well content 70 resign nc to your
cousin. There were times when |
fancied you were rather glad TO get
free of my society,"
Il would not struggle for your love-
| the girl said proudly; "but | loved you
my wishes. wanted to be inditfer-
ent.'
THANK you; am SO grateful to YOU
for such unwillingness to care for me.
But I'm glad you had to, whether you
would or not,'' with low amused
| laugh; ''for your cousin-she is vely
fair to look upon, but there is more to
be desired than a fair face, sweet
voice and graceful form arrayed in
tasteful tinery. My darling, your beau
tiful cousin has no more heart than a
hummingbird, and when love and gold
are in the balance with her love never
weighs more than feather. fell in
love with her dainty face three years
ago. But you need never be jealous of
her on that account. my pet. To-day
l regard her as a beautiful picture-no
more a tress Of your brown hair
is more to me than anything else on
earth. Now; kiss me, my darling.'
AS he lifted his head moment
later he half started, for vision of
white-robed beauty stood before him,
fair and dainty enough for a dream of
poet; girl with waving, golden
hair, eyes like spring violets, and
dainty. crimson lips, arrayed in SHIN
merng, floating white, her cheek just
now as co]orless.
''Ah, Miss Lawsen.' he said quietly
while Beatrix drew from his embrace
with a start. you are IN time to offer
me congratulations; | am to be your
cousin; hope the idea is pleasant
one to You?
VERY plea: att indeed,' lone
managed to say. in calm, measured
tones, that had hint OF wavcring,
''and give You my very best wishes
! Then she turned and went slowly
along the bloomiincd walk, her white
draperies floating about her, her fair
beauty dover many women had
envied her: and Yet, on her life lay
sense of loss. of treary desolation, of
which she had not dreamed one month
before, when she so proudly claimed
the unchanGing Low: of Leon Vincent.