Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-09-07
The Sweetheart.

LOU won take my a1Ntce, Ell! salu
Uncle Gerald.
He looked down at me with face
which was curious admixture of an
noyance and amusement looked up
at him with defiance.
Uncle Gerald and had always been
on the best of terms since, at the age
OF eight years, had been bequeathed.
. helpless orphan, to his care. by the
dead father who had nothing else to
leave. unless we except an accumula-
ton Of debt which took my uncle
the best part of ten years to settle of.
l loved him dearly and he has always
made pet of me. clothed me. so TO
speak. in purple and fine linens. and
borne with my childish faults and
feelings with patience which certain
ly was exceptionable in the case of a
middle-aged bachelor. But now on
my n .neteenth birthday, we had come
to an open rupture
mo Uncle Gerald. / won'tw said ].
There's come subjects upon which no
one could decide as well as girl her.
self and this is one of them.
"Viva" said he. you are making 4
mistake"
Uncle Gerald" retorted /, I'm
willing TO risk that"
''He is too reiicent, Niva-too dark
browed and mysterious
Il don't object to that uncle" said
Isaucily.
''And l. for one" he answered,
"shall never consent TO bestow my
niece upon man who is not ready
and willing TO explain his whole life.
past and present to me. and if nothing
more. give me some sort OF reference
a. to his character. standing and abili-
~ TO maintain a wife.
My eyes fairly flashed with indigna-
ton.
Uncle Gerald" cried |. Il have far
too much confidence in Alan Fair
brooke-too much respect for him-to
60 prying into his antecedents. and de-
maading reference as if hc were a
discharged coachman"
But Viva. he should himself men,
ton these matters without waiting to
be questioned. urged my uncle.
And so he would uncle. did lac
suspect that such unwarrantable
doubts were entertained in regard to
him"
Take my advice, Viva" said Uncle
Gerald s bRkiDg his head await lit.
tie DO Not give your whole life into
his keeping until you know something
moro of him. Rene mber what you are
risking.''
Il know that / love him and that he
loves me, and this is sufficient" said !.
with the buoyant con tidence OF girl
hool.
Uncle Gerald said nothing more; /,
would have been OF no use; and
tripped away to arrange the apron full
Of roses that l had been holding all oil
this time in the great old fas hioned
china vases in the parlor.
''Pll marry Alan FairbrooKe in spite
OF all the world" said |. triumphantly
to myself
MIR. Fair brooke had come to Welland
village stranger. He never exactly
made the statement i'm so many words
but the impression had in some way
gained ground that he was an engine er
come to survey the ground for newly
projected lioe of railway. He lived
luxur ouslv ut our unpretending little
hotel. dressed in black broadcloth.
with diamond studs, posed himself in
as many Hamlet like attitudes "a IL he
had made study OF Edwin Booth,
and took all the feminine hearts in the
village by storm. And when one
evening walking by the ravine, where
the Welland X YER made it's way
through precipices of vne-draped
rocks. he told me. after the prettiest
and most romantic fashion that he
loved me- me- a penniless orphan, with
nothing in the world to recommend
me but dimple in my cheek. chest
nut brown ba T. aud two porcelain
eyes. could hardly believe in my
own marvellous good fortune.
And so we were engaged and Uncle
Gerald's d sapproval was the only
drop of bitterness IN my OVERLOOKING
cup OF bliss.
you shall never marry him with
my consent" said Uncle Gerald.
Then I'll marry him without" said
I. audaciously. "And what is more.
Uncle Gerald. / will not stay here and
hear my future husband" Q couldn'
help blushing little as spoke the
words) "abused and slandered even by
you.
. Where will you go?" he asked
ITO Clara Elliots. She has often
asked me to visit her. l could be her
gust now until 60 to home Of my
own"
Uncle Gerald held out both his hands
with an involuntary gesture OF plead
ing affection.
"And are all the years that we have
been like father and daughter TO 20
for nothing? sa he. sorrowfully.
"Of course. / m very grateful and al
that sort Of thing" said pouting and
defiant. ''but nothing can weigh against
the impulse Of the heart"
went away. knew perfectly vel
that was cutting Uncle Gerald TO the
heart. but cared little for that. Alan
Fairbrooke was all in all to me now.
Clara Elliott rece we'd me joyously.
I'm so glad you've come. dear"