The Delta independent., 1888-03-13

if 1 can avoid it. All that sort of thing
makes scandal, and l don't wish to be
talked about"
Indeed no; it would grieve me to
hear you were;" he said protectingly;
your guide name will always be dear
to me-"
THAT is just what I thought you
would feel" she said warmly. You
must make papa consent"
..l!'' he answered in surprise. "How
can l do thatp"
Tell him simply that after the bare
faced way firted with Mr.. L'Estrange,
you could not think of making me your
wife; that this decision is the outcome
of night of calm reflection.
His lordship smiled sadly.
"It is not the truth, Ellie. You did
firt there's no denying that; but l
would take you if you had legion of
faults, believe me-"
81 do" she returned earnestly; "but
I have promised to marry someone
else"
Who is the happy man, lassieP"
81 am not at liberty to tell you yet,
she said gravely; "but you shall know
soon."
'.Elfe, whoever he may be, do you
love him? Are you sure of your feel
ings?"
"Quite-quite sure. love him with
all my heart-if anything were to part
me from him, it would break!' she said
fervently.
"Hearts don't break, child" he re-
turned with saddened smile; ''but il
you feel all that for him, take my ad-
vice, and do not let him hear how you
kept the actor by your side; he may re-
sent it.
II don't think he would" she
answered with bright smile. ''We
have perfect confidence in each other,
l assure you"
"Doubtless doubtless; but thought
less tongues will wag, and men don't
| like to hear their lassies' conduct can
vassed; believe me, it is SO, Miss Ellie.
l should not myself. The appearance
| of evil, howe er innocent at the core,
should be avoided"
"You dear, wise old thing" she
laughed. "All you say is perfectly
correct; and now shall let you out of
the window, and you are going straight
home. Before the afternoon is out,
father will look you up, of course, and
| you will not have proposed to me at all,
in consequence OF my conduct"
I'll domy best, Ellie" he answered
rising and taking up his Glengarry;
'but it is not because don't want you,
| dear, nor because my heart is not all
your own he ended with emotion.
II know it," she answered, holding
both his hands, and looking into his
eyes. "1t is because you are more
noble than other men; because you
would rather see me happy than be SO
| yourself, knowing me to be wretched.
Dear Lord Cranburn, you could not
| desire wife whose heart had been
given 10 another manpn
You are right, lass G; have been q
bachelor for thirty seven years, and l
can go on to the end
'.N onsense! will find you some nice
girl for wife. You are too good to
live alone"
He shook his head sadly.
"rm not one to change"
Change! We all change every hour!
And you must find an heiress, and
amuse yourself putting your fine old
home in order" she laughed.
mo, Ellie: l couldn't marry for
money alone, any more than could
for love alone"
''Well, we must find you a paragon,
with fortune and beauty" she said
gaily
''Lassie," he continued gravely, ~
don't pretend to be ignorant that you
have wealth, and not knowing the OBJ
ject of your choice, do not judge him;
moreover, looking at your sweet face,
1 can but acknowledge that that is
attraction enough for any man; but,
Ellie, be sure that no one cares for your
money more than for you"
He did not know / had any," she
answered with happy smile. "He
loved me at first sight, Lord Cranburn,
and loved him. I"
ats scarcely wisc," replied his
lordship regretfully; people should
find out their suitability to live together
before they speak of love and mar.
rtage,"
IL dare say, you cautious old thing!'
she laughed, giving him familiar nip;
but you see. we cannot all be SO wise.
There was only one Solomon, you know.
And now, good bye, or papa may come
in and spoil my plot" And she held
out both her hands to him, and he
clasped them in his own.
j ''Elfe," he said with feeling. "Since
you cannot be happy in niue, may you
be so in your own wayP'
hen he stopped and kissed her hand,
and passed out of the French window,
as she had hidden him.
He is dear old fellow" she mur
INJURED with laugh. "But fancy
marrying such fossil! Thirty seven,
and am eighteen! No, Lord Cranburn,
1 really couldn't; but / have made a
friend of you, that's one comfort, and
you will help me out of this scrape.
Fancy papa turning restiye! never ex.
pected him to object to anything
wished to do"
The gate had scarcely closed upon
Lord Cranburn when Mr.. Ravenswood
came in the room, with much noise and
hustle, as though to warn the happy
lovers of his approach; but he found
J his daughter alone.
Halo, Elie where is Cranburnp"
he asked in surprise.
"How should know, papap He does
not live in my pockctn' she returned
laughingly, i'IIe did not stay very
long"