Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-12-20

found me beside her, without self denial
enough TO resign the infinite charm OF her
presence and yet too weak OF will to accept
all the consequences Of such an alliance.
You will say that II could thus judge
and weigh circumstances was not in love.
But what is 1t, when all your soul is sat
urated with thoughts Of one being, when you
seem TO be not 50 much yourself as anotheri
The heroine in "Wuthering Heights" asks,
do love Heathcliffei am Heathcliffe;r
and so, am sure, felt with regard to Es-
telle. am certain that in time | should
have overcome all obstacles, that the nobil
ity within me would have got the better of
any meaner qualities; but every mans ma
ture or temperament is in a manner his own
fate. Had l not been quite certain at this
time that l pleased Estelle, in spite Of he-
gentle hauteur, perhaps should have been
able to overcome my social scruples sooner.
A few weeks later was called away on busi-
ness, and it was a month or more before
found it convenient to return During that
time / had written to Estelle more than once,
without, however, receiving any reply. Yet
was sure she was mine; that / had only to
speak; and meant to speak at last--to speak
so eloquently that she would not remember
the silence had been long.
Invent first to pay my respects to Mime.
Hampton.
~ have been making my WILL" she said,
after little.
"Your will, madamel"
"Yes. have other heirs besides Estelle,
who may dispute it. They will contend that
am-what you may call q crank But
had a method in my madness. beg you to
be my executor"
| ~ am at your service, madame"
Thank you l leave the bulk Of my
property to Estelle.r
"The bulk!' l repeated "You have
found your business remunerative7"
She chuckled audibly. 81 have found it
entertaining enlightening," she answered
sit has paid mel Yes. l have discovered
who are my friends must tell you that
Estelle is not my daughter"
mot your daughter"
"Are you disappointedi When her father
died abroad, insolvent, was at hand We
were both drinking the waters at some Ger
man spa. Long ago had been going to
marry Mr.. Douglass, her father"
"Mr Douglassi'
"Yes. Does the name offend you9 When
he died promised to take Estelle If might
give her my name and money. There was
literally nothing left from the estate for her
to live npon However, when ! returned
from Europe | returned a pauper so to
speak. Do you follow mel allowed myself
little masquerade; / deceived even Estelle,
but have never deprived her of luxury
even the lace on her handkerchief is real
She often marvels that the business is so
good. | have held the purse, and she has
been glad to work with me. But my friends
were too indignant at my misfortunes to
lend me aid. What business had to lose
the money which they might have inheritedi
And adopt daughter! They wanted me to
place Estelle in shop-Estellel How
laughed in my slevel am now about to re-
tire from business; the doctor has advised
me to make my will You will find Estelle
in the music room"
entered the music room without knock.
ing, according to my habit. Estelle sat with
her mandolin on her lap, but every chord
had snapped in the last stormy touch.
"You have returned" she said, smiling as
ghost may smile.
"Yes have come to tell you what you
already know-l love you, Estelle. | have
loved you since first met you; yes, and be
fore. loved you before knew that you ex
sted 1t must be SO, because have never
loved till now. You do not doubt it2"
mo, do not doubt it; know that yor
love me, Mr., Van Huysam; and know thai
! your love must be great, since it has over
come every conventional scruple in YOU
heart"
MY darling Estelle, was sure you lovet
me; it is that which has given me courage
| would have taken her in my arms ant
kissed that perfect cheek where the rose wa
just beginning to blossom, but she ESCAPED
ME.
You knew that loved you" she repeated
'Mr, Van Huysam, don't mind confessln,
that there was indeed time when ! love,
you better than life At least | believed Sc
At that moment thought you loved me-"
II did, do love you, Estelle," protested
YES Then would have loved you for
ever. Then l could have died for you, live
for you. One day awoke, saw that yo
could not love me, or nothing on earth coul
keep you silent. You did not see how
suffered. Then my heart broke Do yo
know what it is to have broken hearta
is to have lost the power to love any OH
again. have read somewhere that ma
never loves the same woman twice."
"But you'll love you Listen, Estell,
time will"-
But she smiled sadly. II thank you.
forgive you," she said; II would love you if
could"
And then the servant announced Mr.. Che
ter.-Mary N Prescott in Harperh Bazaar