The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-08-25
SEVEN DAYS.


eager, and his greenish- gray eyes flashed
their dull light full into my own, while one
hand was extended to grasp mine-tired,
| Oh so tired, after the hard toll of the dav.
Rslph Van Dorn--a millionaire Louise
Clyde-a beggarl
Did he mean it? l believe that / asked
him something of the sort, for a smile parted
his bearded lips, and his hand closed ovti
mine with tenacious grip which sent a
cold chill over me. l drew my hand away
with shudder. Everything grew dark
before my eyes; a strange horror took pos
session of me; thought that was dying,
AMI for the moment 1 was glad. Then |
Van Dorm was speaking.
:" have learned to love you, Louise, he
was saying slowly and impressively "yom
| brave, celf-reliant spirit and quiet suffering
in your poverty touched my heart ut first
After that / admired and respected you
above all women; and now-I will not
without you, Louise Clyde, Answer me
will you be my wife 2"
The blood surged back to my heart once
| more. and turned to meet his ewes ma I
| made answer firmly:
:" do not love you, Mr.. Van Dorm :"
!" do not expect you to love me !" he
| cried eagerly. 90 With you romantic women
owe is all ask you to be my wife be-
cause you suit me in every respect You
are young and beautiful, well-born and
lady. You are
"a poor seamstress !" I interviewed.
hastily, arising to my feet, and confronting
him, pale and still. He glanced significantly
around the shabby parlor with its faded and
worn carpet, its patched and darned cur
tains, and threadbare furniture That one
glance spoke volumes, / felt that angry
blood rush to my face in crimson tide.
g You are generous, to remind me of my
poverty |" pouted, wrathfully. Mr.. Van
Dorm If give you an affirmative answer,
remember this: do not love you, and do
not court your wealth for myself. II is for
her--httle Bessie OF course, if you MARI,
me, it Is understood that Bessie shall never
leave me ?"
His face darkened for moment then the
shadow disappeared.
"Of course not !" he made answer.
tersely. Bessie shall live with us. How
long has she been lame-the little sister OF
yours p
Since her birth, " l returned, sadly.
Poor little winsome Bessie It was the
hardest burden of my life to see her suffer-
ing, and daily growing weaker. and to know
that was powerless to aid; that l could
not procure for her the proper medical
advice, and furnish her the comforts and
Injuries that alone would keep life in her
trail body; for, alas we were so very
poor Fatherless, motherless and paupers.
That was Bessie's fate, and mine. Like a
flash it all came to me, this evening, stand
ing there in the presence of this rich man
who had asked me to be his wife, Marriage
with Ralph Van Dorm meant life for Bessie
But for me, ah, Heaven it was worse than
death. Before my min there arose vision
of pale, grave face, Lit up with great, dark,
sorrowful eyes; mass of brown hair wav-
ing over o broad, white brow, sweet,
mobile mouth Arthur Dale, poor artist
A man whom had known for six short
months, but long enough to feel the deepest
interest in his work-in his ambitions, in
himself.
We had been almost constant companions
He had fallen into the habit of dropping in
every evening to read aloud to me while I
piled the needles; for I was only poor
sewing girl, who did the delicate embroidery
for large establishment. What those hours
of companionship had been to him, could
aot tell to me, they had been tho very
vine and elixer of life.
Somehow, thinking of Arthur Dale now
made me tremble, strange sensation stole
over me; it was as though were struggling
in deep waters and there was no hand TO
save. 1 glanced up desperately, to find
Van Dorn's little eyes glazing greedily into
mine.
Col" found courage to say" give
me-timei Come back in week, Mr.. Van
Dorm, and then / will. give you my an
swerI" t
He smiled significantly. Probably he was
rejecting that there could be but one an
swer. When he was gone I breathed
freely.
"God help me !" cried. ~ hate him
Yet--for my little sisters sake, will con.
slider the question: Dear little Bessie !"
She lay upon shabby sofa in the adjoin-
ing room, pale, delicate, large-eyed child
of ten, ethereal as flower, and alas like
flower soon to fade. bent over the waxen
face the great, eager eyes fared open and
met mine with long, loving gaze.
"Lou !" she said, softly, I have had
irean, Oh, I thought I was at the seaside,
and could hear tine waves singing all day
long; and the sky was so blue and fair
and there were white birds and Why,
Lou, darling, you are crying What is the
matter ~
brushed away the tears surreptitiously
and forced smile.
"Crying9 No, no." made answer,
bravely. Bessie, how would You like TO
60 TO the seaside for sure p 1hf
She stared at me as though she did not
comprehend
We have little money, darIing,r E
explained. 1--WE win go to the beach, and
remain for week--one whole blssful week
Bessie, and then---"~
choked down sob. I hated to tell her
how, that very day, had been discharged
from employment. The dull season had
come there would be no more work before
September, my employer had informed me-
And before September Bessie and would
starve to death, unless--I caught my breath