Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-12-13

bCbEDtuGu IuSpduu- ~ - true aSEAiiS
my look of amazement-s AMI to-day
we met for tho first time in f8is years
Once was not the poor goeerG 81 you
now see, but with On indulgaut father,
and every thing wealth could bring.
During that time | met Reginald. then
q poor teacher, and we loved each
other When my lover asked my
father for his consent 10 our cagage-
ment, shall never forget how angry
he was. was worry young and yield-
ing, and when my father threatened
me with his curse il | resisted his
will, consented TO give my lover up.
l spoke to Reginald, though with
breaking heart, and severed our en-
gagement, notwithstanding his pas
sionate pleadings. | darednol do oth-
erwise, for had been brolirht up to
consider flial duty before al other
virtues, and my father was old My
lover parted from me in mga In
one short month things changed.
Reginald's uncle died, and left him an
immense fortune Ii did not ta5e long
for the news to reach my father ears,
and then no withdrew his restrictions,
telling me to write conciliatory let
ter to my lover. But that was re-
quiring too much; my pride would not
stoop to such an act.
That week, very suddenly, my
father died. His affairs were found to be
deeply involved, and understood then
why he had so opposed my marrying
one who was not rich.
''Since that time | have been earn
ing my own living as you know and
until | came here it was hard strug-
gle; but your love, dear, has made this
place like home"
How could you meet him so indil-
ferentlyg asked, when she paused.
"Oh, Gertrude, life IS a hard SCHOOL,
When you are older, you. too viii be
able to control your emotions and to
put q cold, proud mask over your
features when necessary.
After that, for many DAYS nothing
would induce Margaret to 60 ont Of the
house, and Dick, much aggriceed, was
obliged to take me as companion.
We often met Mr. Darlington, though
how it was he invariably made his APP
pearance, even when we changed the
course OF our w.lks, could not tell,
At last, Mr.. Gainsboroash went
away, and then Dick was happy once
more in the society Of his dear gov
erness during our rambles
So things went on until Blicia's Birth
day. A grand party was 10 celebrate
tho event, and at last ! was to be al
lowed to mingle among my Cousins
guests. heard Lucia demonstrating
with her mother about something, and
tho answer, remarkably decided for
easy. peacc-loving Aunt Howerd, en-
lightened me as to my cousins mean
ing.
''Shc is a child no Ionqor, Lucia.
She is seventeen almost And | shall
not have my sisters daughler kept ont
in the cold all her life. I
My first party-how l did enjoy it!
Never again will things seem 50 rose
hued as they then appeared e as un-
accustomed eyes.
Miss ogllyie, in black grenadine,
with scarlet geraniums al her ihroat
and waist, looked superb but she
would persist in occupying q retired
nook in the back drawiug-room.
Mr. Darlington was often at my
side, and I could see Lucia's eyes shoot
scornful glances at me now and then,
but was too happy to care.
Miss Gertrude. said my partner,
as We promcnaded together, "do YOU
know that l expect my FREUD Mr..
Gainsborough will be here tonight?
And that he has particular reason
(Which he has confded to mel for com
ing?"
He watched my face keonlY q mo
ment
Il see,n he said; Miss Ogilyie has
told you that she once knew Reginald
Gainsborough. Does she know, | won
der, that even though he dcoms that
when she flung away his love she W las
actuated by mercenary motives, he
loves her still. and now that he has
wealth, is willing, nay, aAeioas g bury
the past?"
Then in few hurried word I told
him Margaret's story; aud with glow
ing cheeks, exonerated her from tho
hateful charge of being mercslary.
| saw Mr.. Darlington meet biz friend
upon his arrival, and | could easily
surmise what he was saying.
All unsuspectingly. Margaret still
sat in the bay window, almost entirely
concealed by the lace draperie,.
All how my heart beat with the ex-
citement true love story always
brings, as, after time, saw Mr..
Gainsborough turn his steps nat way.
That night Margaret came 70 me.
Her usually pale checks were suGused
with a radiant color, and her great
gray eyes, sad no longer glcanod with
glad light.
Darling she whispered, Il am so
happy! Every thing has been explained.
Reginald has loved me through all,
even when he thought me a selfish,
worldly girl; and now that he knows
he was wrong, he loves me even better
than before"
The next day awol1e with q strange,
burning sensation in my head, and
when / essayed to rise, my limbs re-
fused their Office. That wa tlI frs5
Of the fever that made me ~ many
months unconscious of aug W. SUI
fering. Then, as tho days went by,
and grew convalescent, reja 3ered
certain tender words some oac Lad aaid
to me the night of the party
'GLucia,''-I called her pina jflly
as she passed through the r3Cn '.has
Mr.. Darlington called to inquire for me
since have been sick?''
Lucia smiled as she came TO my side,
What strange question! As If a
gentleman of society would think twice
of mere child like youtn
Then l had been mistaken, and it
was only vanity which prompted the
thought that | was something more
than mere child to Mr.. Darlington
by the way, Gertie, did you know
all along of Miss Ogilvie's engagement
to that rich Mr.. Gainsborough? What
a sly- mig. x-rt, t-npn ~ tyoo,1 :, s,ntr4 80