Daily Republican., 1888-11-07
THE ELEvENFa HoUR.
ny GUIREvKRE,
"That man agalnp'

wrapped about In her loose morning
robe OF eiel blue and snowy chenille
scarf, sat near the open window
crept.
"Of whom are you speakinRV" said
naughty, proud-featured woman who
sat opposite.
"See, Aunt Laura, he has followed
me even here" and she tossed card
to the elder lady, a square of white
bearing the name of "Greyson Hale. /"
"Ah, he proves his devotion, !" said
the elder lady, with CLEAN of pleas
ure fiashi 6 from under her lowered
Ilds. you are not appreclatlve,
"Beeause do not want to see him.
came here TO this quiet village 10
avoid him as we'll as TO find rest'n
why do you hate him soY He is
wealthy, not Ill looking, and he adores
you"
- Is just that. would like him
well enough, did he not insist upon
Offering me lover like attentions
which Sre dislastelul 10 me. Why
Goes he do so, Aunt Laura, when he
knows | have no heart TO give himP"
Tut tut; that Is folly. You arc
thinking Of Wayne Norton, now; and
are you so lacking in dellcacy, Flea
nor, 10 avow affection for a man who
deliberately deserted ynuYp
The girl looked down, with a bright
spot burning upon either cheek, her
mobile lips qulverGd, and her lovely
eyes grew dim with unshed tears.
Eleanor, l lose PATIENCE said
MIS- harley. "Slnco your fathers
death have cared for you, though
my income ia not as buuntilul az one
might desire, but hoped you would
requite my care and kindness by mar
rylng some good man who was not
deficient the worlds goods, even
though he had not the poetic features
aad sllvery tongue of your recreant
Wayne Norton"
The last words were snitefnlIv
spoken, and Eleanor WINGED
~ do not want 10 seem ungratehtl,n
she said, lowly; "but how can | give
my hand TO one man while nv heart
follows another cannot deny it TO
you, Aunt Laura. | know j may
never see Wayne again, that he has
appeared to show NE cruel neglect, |
but ! can never love another"
Then why not marry Greyson |
hRleP 1t may as well be he as another,
and you cannot always depend upon
your friends You are not fit TO cone |
with the world alone, Eleanor; your /
only chance lies with this man, who
now awaits your will
The girl glanced up quickly, and
read In the set face before her a con
hrmatiOn of the doubts her aunt's
words had aroused.
Mrs. Harley was bent upon seeing
her the wife Of Grcyson Hale; She
would force her into acceptance by
threatening to Withdraw her protec
ton, and Eleanor well knew that she
was totally unfit to seek livelihood In
the world, unaided and alone. After
all, was not her aunt wiser Why NOT
this man rs well as another, since
Wayne Norton had forgotten herY
II will see him." she said, rising.
and bTiei while later was listening 70
the imprisoned plea of her unwelCome
suitOr.
Pale as a snowdrop, she rose and
faced him.
81 will be frank with yoa," she
said. 81 do not love you you must
have guessed that long ago: 1 would
rather you had not sought me here
for 1t has alienated my cunts affections
from me-"
Then be my wife, Eleanor" he
pleaded.
Would you have an unwilling
bridel" she asked, shrinking a little
from his outstTetched banda and pas
sion-aushed face.
II would have you at any cost. " he
"Only consent-the rest
will be easy. / will teach you to love
me; l will shower gifts upon you, and
surround you with every luxury
Eyes, that ia the kind of man you
are, to think a womsns love can be
bought" thought Eleanor.
just then her aunt came in with
little deprecat0ry movement.
''Am de trOpP" she asked, with
greeting TO the man.
ION the contrary" said Hale. II
have asked your niece to marry me,
and now beg your voice to persuade
her that"
"oh, it needs no persuasion of mine, ,
am sure" she broke in. Eleanor !
mas always thought much of you, 1
hough 1t is natural she should hesitate
lowi yet she knows the course she
will pursue"
There WAS quiet menace in her !
zones, and poor Eleanor felt like an .
snimg. at bay-these two were surely /
hunting her down Why, oh, why .
must they be so cruel7
''I-I will accept" she faltered, and 3
hen ike one in a dream she heard 4
heir planning for the further execu-
ion of the affair into which they had
iTiven her.
Groyson Hale was to be called away 4
Don for several weeks; why could not
no ceremony take place at an early
.a1e 10 morrow evening" Mrs. Harley
aid, fearing lgst her niece would utter II
Ter decision. Il
Sac knew minister in the next Is
own, a Dir. Nash, who had recently p
ONE ihere from the city; they would .
.ayo O quiet wedding, and then Flea :
.ur would stty With her until her hus !,
aul's return !,
Poor Eleanor, thinking il did not i
natter what happened now, acqui- y
seed 10 all, 3ul her face told the story b
San aching neart. 1