The Irish standard., 1888-02-18

teen valued ten times more than the Cal
edon estate, and you have robbed me OF
both.''
She paused with Il dry sob, but went ON III
moment ssYou offer me friendship, as Il
all the friendship in the world could com-
pensate me for my love. do not want your
friendship or your money, for sooner than
touch a cent Of it / would starve in the
street. You are mistress Of Caledon now.
Oliver Dudley is your devoted slave. May
you be very happy"
She paused. I knew not what to say. Her
wild, impassioned words showed INC the
depth of her passionate, wllful nature, ano
her bold allusion to Oliver Dudley made my
check crimson, yet my heart swel,ed with
pity for her. Once moro endeayored to
comfort her.
s'You speak wildly, lrna," said. "Mr.
Dudley is nothing to me except friend"
I blushed the next instant, though, re-
membering that l did regard him in q diff
ferent light, though thai he had aught ex-
cept q friendly feeling lor me remained to-
be seen.
"And you refuse my offer Of friendship
Miss Barrett" / said, rising, She bowed
her head.
:sYou are wrong, fcarfully wrongs"
cried. s;Believe me, Oliver Dudley is only
friend to 1ne.''
She raised her eyes, hard and stony, TO-
mine Never shall forget their cold, hope
less look
ssYou waste your words, Miss Caledoo,f
was all she said, and I walked away, lcay-
ing her, as had found her, sitting idly by
the window, her w:sxen hands folded in her
lap
s'Oh! the wickedness of this world ~
cried, as went homeward.
sBut for her mothers wicked scheme Of
def,sauding helpless orphan, Ir1na would
to-day have been happy girl, and we
should have been as dear sisters TO-
gether.''
''I had been at Caledon Heights q year
when Mr.. Dudley, returning from The
North where he had been attending the
settling OF his fathers estate, 1nado me 81.
formal offer of his hand and heart.
s:I have always loved you, Dorcas," he
said. You are the one woman in tho world
would choose for my wife. Without your
love am miserable indeed. Surely you
will not send me away, Dorcas. Only give
me the smallest share Of your love and
shall be content''
It is needless to record my answer. Suf-
fee to say that Mr.. Dudley did not leave,
and that he confessed the share granted
him OF my love proved quite sufficient
We were married quietly, only the dear
friends had known in the years of my ad-
versity being present. Among these were
Bertie Clayton, whose congratulations were
as warm and hearty as one would wish.
My honorcd grandparents, in whose
good graces / am happy to say at once
found myself, Immediately took up their
residence at the Heights at my earnest solic~
itation. Alsoamy dear adopted mother be-
nnEx, fc,.T
bear to be separated from her who had
been to me mother, friend and sister in the
time when friendly hands were rare.
A few words more, and will close. Irrna
Barrett ever refused stubbornly to accept
! my friendship or my love; she married a
wealthy planter in after years, but I fear
was never happy Or contentcd. Irving
| profitcd by the lesson taught him, for there
is to-day no more upright or honest man or
one moro respected in the community in
which he lives. BERTHE Clayton is talented
young lawyer and loved by all who know
him. Mr.. and Mrs. Clayton are both sleep.
ing quietly in Rose Hill Cemetery and have
been for many years. Near their graves is
that of Agnes Armund; let US hope after
life's fitful fever their sleep is sweet.
| So closes this short and simple story ot
my life. After all the darkc louds were
swept away and the sun shone brighter
than ever, there is only one regret, one sor~
row over which can never feel quite rec
onciled, that is thatmy dear kind, fathers
dying wish and prayer for one more sight
of his child could not have been granted
But after all what matters it2 Will there
not be sufficient time in all eternity, when
we shall meet to compensate for all tho
| little trials here.
And SO, dear reader, ends the story of
Dorcas Caledon, the last heiress Of Caledon
Heights.