Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-08-23
The Sweetheart.

at him with defiance.
Uncle Gerald and had always been
on the best of terms since. at the age
vi eight years, l had been bequeathed
4 helpless orphan, to his care, by the
dead father who had nothing else to
leave. unless we except an accumula-
ton of debt which took my unclo
the best part of ten years to settle Off
loved him dearly and he has always
made Il pet of me- clothed me- so to
speak. in purple and fine linens, and
horne with my childish faults and
feelings with a patience which certain
ly was eXceptiOnable in the case of
middle-aged bachelor But now on
my noteenth birthday, we had come
to an open rupture.
NO. Uncle Gerald. WON'T" said ].
'Iherc's some subjects upon which no
one could decide as well as a girl her.
self and this is one of them. -
Viva, said he, you are making
N stake.
Uncle Gerald" retorted l, 'I'm
willing 10 risk that
'fle is too retcent, Viva-too dark
browed and mysterious"
Il don't object to that uncle" said
% saucly.
And |. for one" he answered,
"shaIl never consent to bestow my
niece upon man who is not ready
and willing TO explain his whole life,
past and present to me, and If nothing
more give mo some sort of reference
rs to his character, standing and abli-
ty to maintain a wife.
My eyes fairly flashed with indigna-
ton.
Uncle Gerald" cried !, II have far
too much confidence in Alan Fair
broOkc-too much respect for him-to
GO prying into his antecedents, and de-
mamdmg n reference as if he were q
discharged coachman!"
But. Viva, he should himself mem
tion these matters. without waiting to
DO questioned, urged my uncle.
And so he would uncle, did he
suspect that such unwarrantable
doubts were entertained in regard to
him"
Take my advice, Viva" said Uncle
Gerald. shaking his head. "Wait lit
tie. Do not give your whole life into
his keeping until you know something
more OF him. Remember what you are
riskiug."
Il know that love him and that he
loves me, and this is sufficient" said ],
W In the buoyant confidence of girl
hCOl.
Uncle Gerald said nothing more; it
Of
tripped away to arrange the apron full
of roses that l had been holding all of
this time in the great old fashioned
china vases in the parlor.
"'Il marry Alan FairbrooKe in spite
of all the world" said |, triumphantly
to myself.
MIR. Fairbrooke had come to Welland
viInge Il stranger. He never exactly
made the statement in so many words
but the impression had in some way
gained ground that he was an engineer
come to survey the ground for newly
projected line of railway. He lived
luxur Ouslv ut our unpretending little
hotel. dressed in black broadcloth,
with diamond studs, posed himself in
rs many Hamlet like attitudes, as il he
had made study of Edwin Booth,
and took all the feminine hearts in the
village by storm. And when one
evening walking by the ravine, where
tho Welland II yer made it's way
through precipices of vine-draped
rocks, he told me. after the prettiest
and most romantic fashion that he
loved me me. penniless orphan, with
nothing in the world to recommend
a al nj in
nut brown ha +, and two porcelain
eyes / could hardly believe in my
own marvellous good fortune.
And so we were engaged and Uncle
Gerald's d sapproval was the only
drop OF bitterness in my overlooking
cup Of bliss
You shall never marry him with
nv consent" said Uncle Gerald.
Then I'll marry him without" said
]. audaciously. "And what is more,
Uncle Gerald. l will not stay here and
hear my future husband Il couldn' t
help blushing little as | spoke the
words) ABUSED and slandered even BY
you"
Where will you go?" he asked.
10 Clara ElliOPs. She has often
asked me to visit her. l could be her
gust now until l go to home of my
own"
Uncle Gerald held out both his hands
with an involuntary gesture of plead
ing affection.
And are all the years that we have
been like father and daughter to go
for nothing? sa he. sorrowfully.
''Of course. / m very grateful and all
that sort of thing" said pouting and
defiant. but nothing can weigh against
the impulse of the heart"
! went away. knew perfectly well
that was cutting Uncle Gerald to the
heart. but | cared little for that Alan
Fairbrooke was all in all to me now.
Clara Elliott received me joyously.
I'm so glad you We come, DEAR
said She Il had so much to say t.
you. ard / was just going to send fol
you. I'm going to be married, Viva
so am l." cried /. Clara and
Rugged each other.
Show me his photograph, dear, v
said Clara eagerly.
''Of course / will if you'll show m,
his"
drew scented envelope from m,
pocket Clara took from her writing
desk a crimson velvet case.
Clara uttered shrek the instant she
saw my treasured carte dc yisite, whose
seuseless pictured lips | had kissed SC
many times.
''lt's bel" cried she. "My Alanr
ITS my Alanw retorted l indignant
~.
'Lookr declared Clara, opening hel
picture.
did look. aud preceived that the
two plctures were identically the same.
Its mistake!' said l growint
pale.
"a mistake! Nothing of the sortp
said Ms Elliot. bridling up. He gave
il 10 me himselfr'
ALAN Fairbrooke."
Yes, Alan Fairbrookel''
lit cant be possiblep" said l. hys
terieally. "Because he's engaged u
ma"
Viva Maurice. you are Graz! sale
Clara
No" said |. beginning to compre