The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-08-30

LITTLE W:.ll.IIF,
A Story Of Absorbing Interest
sy BERNARD nEReERr.

M tCHAPTER vI--CoNTINuED.I
!, The first few days after her arrival
America were term of peace and rel
never to be forgotten. by poor litti
Oracle Garland. To be sure, she wei
nowhere, and consequently saw not
ing but the interior of the humble hou
in Harlem and its two kindly inmated
but then, her mind was at rest for tn
time being, to some extent at least
since she fancied that she had eludeI
her pursuers, if indeed any such the4
were. Neither mother nor, son hal
failed to notice, however, that whej
asked to go for walk upon the bould
wards of the neighborhood during I'll
day, the girl invariably offered somV
plausible excuse.
She had some sewing to do, or sEI
was going to assist Mrs. Arnim in IL
kitchen; even once, when fairly pushe
to the walk, for pretext, she proposcl
to sit to Rupert for her portrait.
In spite of her kindliness of hear,
Mrs. Arnim could not help suspectin
that such singular conduct was due q
an uneasy conscience, while Rupert wai
troubled within himself, though Id
said nothing.
Consequently. npon the second day
the sketch of Oracle was placed upon
the easel and Rupert seated himself
before it to paint. Sitting there befoI}
him, her sweet face sad and thoughtful
little Oracle occupied herself with som}
light needlework, while Arnim painted
in his great love for her at every strok}
of the brush
Naturally the portrait grew rapidly
becoming likeness of remarkable
strength. Once, upon rising and going
to the artists side to look Mt the can
vas, Oracle inquired:
aHow long do you think il will take
to finish the picture?"
"Some weeks, / think, Oracle, was
the reply; "why do you ask ?"
She hesitated moment, averting her
face while she answered:
II did not think it would take &c
long"
care you s;rsd Of sitting already ?'
he added, = tremor of slight reproach
in his voice.
"Oh, mol But"
"But-what, Gracie?"
"I do not feel that ought to impose
upon your hospitality 30 long"
"Graciel What do you mean?"
II mean that must go away to carr
my living" she said steadily; "kind a.
you are, you must know that have NJ
claim upon You, that my position here
is dependent one"
"You might have claim upon me j
you wouldp
She turned quickly and looked a
=, him, attracted by his altered tone ant
strange words He had laid his palett
and brushes upon the floor, and wa
gazing up at her with passionate in
tensity that summoned the tell-tal
5. color promptly to her cheeks.
"Gracie," (" he murmured taking tn
hand that hung listlessly at her side
"dear Oracle, have You not seen, Ina
not yonr heart told you, that love You
It is the first great love of my life, an
IL will be the only onei"
Hush, hush |" she breathed, tryin
10 withdraw her hand from his clasl
but he held it firmly. "You must nc
speak so to mel I am not worthy {
such love as yours!
But he went on fervently, swithor
needing her words:
You may be too young to think ,
marriage yet, but yorar not too youn
70 love, TO promise ms that in the full
ness Of time you will become my wife
"Oh, no, no, nop she sobbed; "R
pert, you know not what you ask +
me go away at once; forget me! II
,aeper he your wife" II II
He struggled to his feet
leaning one hand upon tb-et}knd st,
chair. -ss6s,n.,ne back of
"Graciei" he Cd
usY6x,s. lied. "let me know
.srtrufh at oncer IL you love abotI
soy so--and ] will never trouble
again. (.
"Nois she exclaimed, looking I
frankly in the eyes. II love no liv
man as love you; but warn You
crush your love for mo IN the bud,
q can bring nothing buj misery Q
inortifcation to us both"
What do you mean 2"
~ You promised to ask me no gu
tiofIs about my past IL came her
she. retorted, reproachfully.
And 1 have kept my promise, .
answered proudly; II would not lis
we're yon 10 tell me; accept you W
your secret untold, and to the day
my death will never question You.
only ask you now why / should not L
you9s
On ncconntof my past"
But tell you that the past is pa
whatever IL may have been, I care n
30 long MS no other man has claim
your love, i will love YOU'RE
His outstretched hands were alb
To clasp her in their fond embra
when she took al'ackward step and b
pp her hsad sapiAsly'