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

LITTLE WAIF,
A Story Of Absorbing interest
BY BERNARD HERBERT.
TCHAPTER VI.--CoHTINUED.I

The first few days after her arrival i
America were term of peace and resi-
never to be forgotten. by poor littlI
Oracle Garland. To be sure, she wcn
nowhere, and consequently saw notl
ing but the interior of the humble hous
in Harlem and its two k:n,ily inmates.
but then, her mind was at rest for tn
time being, to some extent Mt least
since she fancicd that she had elude
her pursuers, if indeed any such ther
were. Neither mother nor son ha
failed to notice, however, that whe
asked to go for walk upon the boul,
wards of the neighborhood during tE
day, the girl invariably offered som
plausible excuse.
She had some sewing to do, or sh
was going to assist Mrs. Arnim in I'll
kitchen even once, when fairly pusheI
to the walk for pretext, she proposrI
to sit to Rupert for her portrait.
In spite of her kindliness of heart
Mrs. Arnim could not help suspectin
that such singular conduct was due Il
an uneasy conscience, while Rupert wa!
troubled within himself, though nd
said nothing
Consequently, upon the second day
the easel and Rupert seated himself
before it to paint. Sitting there before
him, her sweet face sad and thoughtful,
light needlework, while Arnim painted
in his great love for her Mt every stroke
of the brush.
Naturally the portrait grew rapidly,
becoming IL likeness of remarkable
~ IL,
to the artists side toleek Mt the can
vas, Oracle inquired:
"How long do you think it 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
"I dill not think it would take so
long"
care YOU tirel of sitting already 2"
he added, tremor of slight reproach
in his voice.
ooh, no! But"
"But-what, Gracic?"
"I do not feel that ought to impose
upon your hospitality so long"
"Gracie What do You mean?"
"I mean that must go away to earn
my living" she said steadily; "kind as
you are, you must know that I have no
claim upon You, that my position here
is dependent one"
"You might have n claim upon me if
you would"
She turned quickly and looked at
him, attracted by his altered tone and
strange words. He had laid his palette
and brushes upon the floor, and was
gazing up at her with a passionate in
tensity that summoned the tell-tale
color promptly to her cheeks.
"Gracie," he murmured, taking the
hand that hung listlesslv at her side,
"dear Oracle, have you not seen, has
not your heart told you, that ! love you
1t is the first great love of my life, and
it will be the only onew
"Hush, hush" she breathed, trying
to withdraw her hand from his clasp,
but he held it firmly. "You must not
speak so to me! am not worthy of
such love rs yours!"
But he went on fervently, without
needing her words:
"You may he too young to think of
marriage yet, but you are not too young
to love- to promise M that in the full
ness of time vou will become my wifcr
ooh, no, no, no!" she sobbed; "Ru-
pert, you know not what YOU ask Let
me go away at once; forget me! | can
nerer he your wife,
He struggled TO his feet and stood
leaning one hand upon the back of his
chair.
"Gracie" he cried. "let me know the
truth at once! If you love another.
say so--and ] will never trouble vou
again"
"Non she exclaimed, looking him
frankly in the eyes, Il love no living
man as love you: but warn Won to
crush your love for mo ~ the bud, for
it can bring nothing hu, misery and
modification to us both"
"What do you mean?"
"Gou promised to ask me no 1ues-
tions about my past if came here"
she retorted, reproachfully.
And ] have kept my promise" he
answered proudly; 81 would not listen
were you to tell me; | accept you with
your secret untold, and to the day of
my death will never question you. |
only ask you now why j should not love
you?'
"On account Of my past"
but | tell you that the past is past
whatever it may have been, | caroN not
so long as no other man has claim on
your love, will love your!"
His outStrctched hands were about
to clasp her in their fond embrace,
when she took n backward step and held
pp her hsnd Naruiasiy.