The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-06-21

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"coNE, LYMAN, ARE YoU READYl"
company, presumably 70 dine with his be-
trothed, and spend the evening in the light
of her smiles.
Norris felt, unreasonably enough, that
the groom-elect only came to f1aunt his tri-
umph before him, the discounted rival. As
Mr.. Ingot never gave him the slightest
personal notice, 1t was not so hard to keep
back the signs Of his own pain and despair
as 1t otherwise would have been, yet he
could not repress little start when the
latter appeared on tho evening Of tho fourth
Of January rather later than usual.
"Come, Lyman, arc you readyl Re-
member that this Is the last time I will
bore you with my company Shan't have
this. Got your matters all arranged for to-
morrow so business can run half day
without you' Judging by your devotion to
the business Of late, tits wonder you did
not cut down tho time to an hour"
~ nm not quite through but can finish
up every thing tonight" answered Lyman,
abstractedly, rs tho two went out to-
gether, leaving Norris, with heart beating
in wild, rebellious throbs which would not
be quelled.
Then the morrow was the wedding-day /!
Tho thought Of oil he was losing came over
him anew. II he could only do something
If he could see her once againl
Once, in his doubt and misery, he had
written to her, but his letter had been re-
turned unopened, directed in Lyman's firm
hand, but tho inclosure bore the words "By
Carols WISH" in what he knew must be
Carols own writing
The rebuff was complete. Yet as that
last evening wore on, his restlessness car
ried him to the vicinity Of the Childer resi-
dence. Ho did not expect to speak to her; ;
the most he hoped was to catch q possible
glimpse of her before she gave herself ir-
retrievably to another.
Even that much did not seem likely to be
granted him. The shutters were closed,
and scarcely CLEAN of light stole out along
the entire front.
He walked past for some distance, then
turned and repassed, trying to imagine
what they were dong within, how she was
enduring Ingot's fulsome attentions. Could
it be that she was finding pleasure in his
admiration, that she was passing counter
felt of lovo ON hcrselfi-for that she had
taught herself any real regard for the man,
he did not believe.
He had passed and repassed thus twice,
and was approaching the house for the
third time, when the door opened and the
two men came out. Not wishing to be
seen, Norris paused In the shadow OF the
next house while they stood chatting for q
moment together
"She has no doubt Of youi" Ingot asked
"Not doubt. Why should shea have
never failed her yet She relies on my
word, and have passed it more solemnly
than she has ever heard me declare any
thing before. Rest easy; there will be no
withdrawal on her part before tho time."
swell, you are cool one" said Ingot, in
almost disgusted tones. "Pve streak of
tho rascal in me, but can't match you. I'll
have to look out for you as brother-in-law
or you'll be getting the best Of me. Well,
goodnight; see you tomorrow, Of course"
"Y0u will see me tomorrow, " "assented
Lyman, and the two parted, going their sep
arate ways.
Norris was still lingering there when the
door egain turned on its hinges. A slight
form stood on the threshold, with white
shawl over its head, looking into the dim
obscurity of the street. He stirred, and a
low voice called timidly' "Lymanw
VT is /, Miss Childery" he replied, ad-
vancing. "You would not receive my let
ter, will you give me word now for the
last timer
ell had something to say to LYMAN"
she taltered.
"He is gone beyond recall. Pray, do not
deny me this chance. 1t is only to tell you
what you must know, that love you, love
you, and would give my life to serve you If
could. Oh, why were you in such haste to
bind yourself-why would you not give me-
time to tryl'
"Hush!" she saia, scarcely above q whis-
per. "Oh, hush! must not listen"
"Why mott Because your heart plays
the traitorl Because, oh, Carol, you might
have been taught to love met Is 1t too late
too late forever, my love, my darling-or
will you break from those hateful bonds
yet and come to met Do not go. Let mo
persuade you by all the might and power
of my lovo to be true to yourself, even
though you may not be kind to me. Do not
marry that man. Do what you will for
your brother except that. He Is urging
you to 1t, Is he mott But he has no right to
ask so much as that"
The litt,s, Tutoring hand he had caught
and was holding closely In his grew cold
and slipped out of his clasp.
"You are wrong. Lyman would no more
urge me toto hat, against my will, than
you would. He wants mo to he happy In my
own way. Indeed, it is true"
"Will it mako you happy to marry Ingot,
theni" asked Norris, incredulously,
Faint as the light was, he could see the
rich color which dyed her cheek, the shy,
wistful look In tho eyes that met his,
expect to be happy-after tomorrow"
she whispered, and 80 saying was gone.
The door closed, leaving him standing alone
on the steps.
How foolish he had beenl How needless
ly he had worried himself In his fears for
her, and yet, poor child was she not de-
ceiving herself He could not be angry
with her, though he tried, but In his disap-
pointment he went straight through the
streets home and to bed, to the infinite sat
isfaction Of Mrs. Bates, who knew nothing
Of the storm Of grief and desolation which
kept him wa)seful far into the morning
hours.
lso y communal