The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1889-07-04
UNREQUITED LOVE.
SHE LOVED NOT WISELY
BUT TOO WELL.


The family mansion of the
Christle's of Oakdale was a
grand old building, its tall ga
bles, and narrow windows
with ivy and the fiuted
columns of the wide porches,
garnished with trailing roses !,
whose rich red hearts glowed
like drops of blood in the sum-
mer sunshine. Within one of
the large lowceiled rooms, all
softened lights, and dusky
shadows, a man sat in a deep
cushioned chair, his elbows
resting on the marble top of a
table before him, and his hand
some face buried in his hands.
"Must it all go-all my faith
er's lands, and my beloved
home!" groaned Ashburton
Christie, as he lifted his haggard
face, and gazed out at the fair
domain with troubled eyes; for
AshburtOn had a Christie's love
for his birthplace, and the
Christie home-love was a by
word in the county.
"All gow echoed a full sweev
voice; and Ashburton turned
with a start, 20 see young girl
leaning against the back of his
chair.
"Why Winfield" he exclaim-
ed in a surprised, but not pleas
ed tone, "When did you ar
rive?"
81 have just come," explained
Wiuifred Deane, Ashburton's
cousin, as she laid aside her hat,
and sat down on the opposite
side of the little table. Her
dark brown ayes met Ash
burton's blue orbs for a moment,
and then her rather plain face
flushed a lovely crimson. Win
fired was no beauty, and she
knew it, yet there was a quiet
taste and quaintness about her,
that attracted many admirers.
For Winifred was rich, and an
orphan, and had the means to
allow her odd faucies full play
But the one man, who Of all the
world she desired TO please,
stood aloof, and scarcely ac-
corded her the cousinly interest
their relationship sanctioned.
Ashburton gazed a moment
at the downcast blushing face,
when it suddenly occurred to
him that perhaps Winifred had
come with a purpose. So lie
raised his handsome head a tri-
file higher, with some indistinct
idea floating through his bra ir
that it would not be quite the
thing to accept help from {
woman he had always held a.
arms length.
Winifred seemed growing i'm
patient at the silence. Fleck:
of color were coming and going
in her checks, and her lips quiv
cred like a grieved child's.
"Cousin Ashburton, I am sor
ry for your trouble" she mur
INJURED in a low sympathetic
voice; "I did not think the ol(
homestead would have to CO."
evil will have to go; as yol
are now aware, / have littl'
ready money. Tie old home
stead is dearer in my Dyes thar
in the eyes Of the world; it will
not bring more than tweut7
thousand dollars, and | endors
ed for thirty"
ga foolish proceeding"
"True; but | thought Wintol
the soul Of honor; I never dream
ed of him absconding with hi
employers money. Twill neve
trust any man again"
For Rufus Winton, the cash
ier OF a prominent banking firm
had induced Christie to endors
for him under the plea that h,
was working out some successful
financial venture; and after th
bubble burst, disappeared wit
thousands of dollars belongin
to his patrons,
"Ashburton," there was a Lii
tie tremble,in Winifred's sweet
full voice, Il have thirty thou
sand dollars that you may hav
the use of, until you are able t
repay it-if-if-"
HIf what, Winifred -" Asl
burton leaned forw ard, his hant
some face losing its haggar
look, as he listened eagerly.
off you will love me just
little, Ashburton," tlurted OF
Winifred, dropping her red fac
on the table; for to tell tia trut
Winifred would have give
twice as much for portion {
her Cousins love.
| Ashburton had a really kin
heart and an impulsive natur
jand Winifred's magnanimol
offer touched him deeply.
"Winifred, l do not deser'
this" and going around to Wi
ifred's side, he laid his shaIel
white hand on her shoulde
Winifred looked up into his fa'
with her heart in her eye
,, Surely, if ever a woman love
i man this woman loves N
, thought Ashburton, and with
; strange pain at his heart.
: Stooned down and kissed her