Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-09-13
mo BE Continued
FOR LOVES SAKE.

II was more for her mothers sake than
her own that Meta Crossdale consented 10
be Leon Parker wife, He was old
enough to be her father. but owned con
siderable property, and as she respected
him, she thought in time she might learn
TO love him.
Mrs. Crossdalc's death gave Meta a
chance to postpone the wedding, for she
was not satisfied that she loved hcr elderly
admirer enough yet to become his wife.
In The meantime she went TO live with a
maiden aunt in the city, who was the
leader of an interesting literary aud ar
tistic circle.
Here, for the first time in her life. Meta
had an opportunity OF mingling with some
Of the brightest minds Of the metropolis,
AMI she made many. c%ongcnial acquant.
ances during the winter.
The year of mourning was nearly over,
and Miss CrOssdale was thinkingOf Meta's
trousSeau, when disastrous news came
from some property in which Leo Parker
had invested heavily. ! have not space to
enter into all Of the details, but the result
was given in his own words to Miss Cross
dale:
"When my just liabilities are all paid
| shall be a poor man, and must com
mence the world over anew. You know
me well enough 10 be sure will not hold
Miss Meta TO her engagement, bue ! can
not see her yet. You must tell her.
And Miss Crossdalc, not unwillingly,
understood the commission.
1T was all very well, . She said, after
telling Meta all the facts. ''for you to
marry Leon Parker at the time you were
first engaged to him. You had no pros
pect Of making any better match, and you
were very poor. But since he releases
you | think You had better accept his offer.
/ will tell you now, Meta. that when ] die
YOU will be wealthy. If you are wise you
will remain single, rs have done. But
If you marry you can let your heart
choose, for you need not marry for
money. You do not love Leon Parker?'
But Meta made no answer She crept
away to her own room. pale aud shiyer-
ing, wondering why the world was so cold
and empty. All winter She had been com
pairing Leon Parker with the younger men
who had assembled at her aunts, many
Of them drawn there more frequently
than ever before by her own far face.
She had met literary men whose brilliant
intellect won her hearty admiration; art
IEt0 IN AAHAAA ANANANNA w ARA &RAA
mon humanity in their heaven-boru gift,
musicians who bad made her heart glad
with their wondrous harmonies. Some
there were who had let her see that were
she free she might claim their life's devo-
ton: some who might have touched her
heart had not Leon Parker held her prom
Use.
But now that he had given back that
promise, and must fight fortune again, she
felt her heart crying ont against the sacri
flee. lie had offered her luxury and made
her mother illness q bed Of flowers, had
sought her happiness in ever hour Of their
long friendship.
She thought Of him IN some humble
home, working 70 conquer fortune alone
She pictured him turning from the days
toll. and returning to his small room, his
coarse dinner, alone!
z Alonel always alone, for she knew no
other love was possible to him. In his
prosperity She had carclcssly put her hand
in his. 20 share the life Of ease aud luxury.
In his adversely she stood thinking of talk
ing back her promise,
With streaming eyes and trembling. fin
gers she wrote TO him.
Dear Leon. You will let me call you
Leon now | %wronged you once, not 50
very long ago, for | promised 10 be your
wife. only because you offered me wealth
aud a devotion | scarcely understood. |
was very young, very inexperienced, Leon.
and | did not understand how solemn and
sacred q trust | was so carelessly taking.
] ask you now to forgive me that / would
have repaid your love 50 poorly. But II
you do forgive me Icon, do not leave me,
for | love youl DO not think ! ann bold