Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-10

| t., yCII WOI-iobtkhoeOAys
answered with touch of malice.
..Intimatelyt" repeated Mrs. Van Du-
rem, biting her lips. That is to say
you to marry him."
..And that declined his offer?" asked
Celine.
Eyes; but feared"
you feared / did not mean that!"
exclaimed Celine, hardly knowing wheth-
er to be irritated or amused.
Naturally. You are both young. and
q marriage with my grandson would. you
must know. bring distinction to any
woman. cannot suppose gou prefer the
stage to such an opportunity. In fact. /
could not blame you for accepting Walters
proposal"
II appreciate the honor" said Celine,
lightly. Struggling her shoulders.
II was surprised" Mrs. Van Duren
continued, .sto learn that Walter had been
so indiscreet l had expected, hoped that
he would marry some day, but not-not
-" She stopped in embarrassment.
Not an actress" Celine added.
.'Pehaps am prejudiced, but | should
not like him to marry an actress"
"Did you come here to tell me this p"
asked Celine with frank irony.
Pardon me. did not mean to wound
your feelings. Still, l must be honest
with you It would be great misfortune.
think. if Walter married YOU Mrs
Van Duren had already forgotten her err
rand of mercy.
But | have told you," Celine rejoined
rather sharply, THAT declined Mr..
Northrup's offer. Moreover. | meant
what said'
Mrs. Van Duren was still incredulous.
"Do-do you not love Walter?" she
asked.
THAT is my affair" Celine replied
laughing little. Perhaps | do-per.
haps | might. regard him. at any rate
with admiration He is very charming
and very clever, and if wanted husband
don't want husband"
You will not marry Walter?" Mrs.
Van Duren exclaimed, now thoroughly
astonished.
mot Walter-nor any other man. +"
Celine replied. II was married once.
That was enough You need not be
afraid of me. | shall 60 back to the
stage where l belong"
Mrs. Van Duren was now convinced
that she had jumped too quickly at conclu-
sions. She had not counted upon meet
ing a woman like Celine. Then the pale,
sad face of Walter came back to her
memory, and she felt that she had not
fulfilled her promise to him. Instead of
thinking of his happiness she had given
thought to her own pride. She was con-
science stricken
81 fear have made a mistake" she
faltered. She gazed at Celine earnestly
and added: Forgive me il | have used
harsh and unkind words. l said more
than meant to say. 1t was shock, you
know, Walters loving you. Yet he does
love you. and his happiness is worth ev-
erythlng else. 1t was he who asked me
to visit you-to speak to you"
"He!" exclaimed Celine. startled by
this admission and by Mrs. Van Duren's
changed manner. "He asked you to come
here, to induce me not to marry him ~
Her eyes glowed with anger.
mo, no." replied Mrs. Van Duren, has
tily. "You don't understand. You had
let him 90 and be is wretched. 1t breaks
my heart to see him so
The truth flashed upon Celine at once.
herself, had attempted to crush the preju-
dices OF lite time, for the sake of her
grandson.
81 understand you now" she said gently.
II am sincere when | tell you that
ought not to marry Walter. am not the
sort of woman for a wife-especially tor
Walters wife. | have studied myself,
you see. l was weak enough to fancy
once or twice that might be happy with
him, that | might make him happy But
should sacrifice him, and. perhaps,
myself. if | gave way to this weakness.
No. Assure him for me that--that- Il
like him better than any other man, though
| can't marry him."
Mrs. Van Duren was deeply moved by
Celine's words.
MY child" she said, in her old sweet
manner, II have wronged you. l can
only beg you to forgive me. | did not
suppose you were-what you are But
now that know you, want you to listen
to me. Walters love is solemn thing.
! believe that his future depends upon you.
For his sake, renounce my preludices-
for his sake, | entreat you to consider his
offer"
you entreat met" exclaimed Celine.
Eyes, do, with all nv heart"
Celine regarded her visitor with intense
sympathy. The courageous honesty, the
unworldliness of Mrs. Van Duren awed
her. When she spoke again her voice
trembled with emotion.
Dear Mrs. Van Duren," she said. sit
is | that should beg; not you. The
strange fate that has brought US together
has, | feel sure, given me the power and
the instinct to resist great temptation.
II | listened to my heart alone. | might
not struggle any longer. but my knowl-
edge of the world teaches me that | am
right this time, and that / must be faith.
,, full to my conviction. After a year OF
! two you will think of me-the poor actress
|, gratefully, and you will say. She was
!, just owe her much Trust me wher
| tell You that Walters future does mo-
depend upon me. He is man enough t.
rise above appointmeat-an there i.
some sweet girl of his own class whom he
will learn to love better than he loves me ;
Celine bent her head for there were
, tears in her eyes. and she did not want tC
exhibit her weakness to Mrs. Van Duren
After little pause Mrs Van Duren cam,
close to Celine, and, :aking one of tn,
young woman's hands, pressed it ane
, said
You are unselfish. noble-and | tee
that in wronging YOU | have wronget
many others. Perhaps you are right