Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-08-15

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From that time Anton united the two
personalities in his mind. Whenever
Selytha called on Lis sister without
Annie, he felt lonely aud dull. He began
to remOnstrate VITA himself that it was
unfair to tie this exemplary woman
forever 70 his own fate by one biRding
word.
The one il like a stately tree, the other
like the wild foliage that belongs to IT.
ne said TO himself and went on his calls
earlier than the visiting hour fixed ac-
cordiDg 90 Selytha's rule, in order TO pre-
pare himself for the eujpyment Of Sely
tha's excellence by a previous wrangle
with the little spiiiire.
On such occasions, after Annie had up
BRAIDED him with his pedantlc behaviour
his phlegmatl3 TEN persment aud thou
sand other things, and Seiytha th' put
10 ner appearance, he felt his g urbed
quietude re'urn,1o him, aud his agreeable
sensation he was lUAth to interrupt by
long speeches, kisses and other formal
tiss necessary for au engagement. To
take the two 10 his house without lnitia-
tory steps, there 90 place Ssytha into
sanctuary and worship her, while TALKING
with Annie about all the new ideas when
had begun to GROSS his conventional
opinions and sentiments-that would
suIt him? But still bett n, to prepare "a
warm nest for this poor little bro!
I. was this latter wish that urged him
TO hurry bis suit for S-lyth Little An
ME was SO uncomfortable in her present
place, he uId make haste to insure su
ind pendant position for her IN his own
house. With al the intxperience of "a
nan AZ q a bachelor, ne imagined that 10
his great nous hold the young girl could
maintain her own pbere OF activity, Lot
under but by the side Of that of the house
wife.
Downing his dress coat and KID gloves,
he proceeded to Srly has residt noe with
the intention OF asking for an interview
with her at once. Ga he way he repeat
cd his former proposal 80 many times
that ne nearly forgot the purpose Of IT,,
Seiytha was not az home, that being The
hour set apart by rule for a walk, and
Annie received him at the door She
was tisagreeabll surprised at his cere-
mOniOus attire aud WIS about to with
draw from his presence after she had in
formed him Of the time of S-lytha's re-
turn With a quivering voice, when Anton
seize her hand and threw her to a seat al
his side.
"Ssay, Miss Aunie,' he said, struggling
with an unusual emotion. "What have
TO say to-day concerns you as much rs il
does Miss Svlyths."
"Mey" said Annie, abrup5.y, the pulse
at her shapeIy wrist beating like the hear
of a captured bird. "Why should 10 CON
Germ me If you marry Miss lyt1a"
And giving him one OF her quick, sharp
and penetrating looks, she said with her
usual forwardnes-; But why do you wish
to marry Selythay'
"But Annie, what question:" Anton
was confused and enumerated his reasons
mechanically "Miss Sely tina is not TO
handsome, aud still she Is pretty enough
to convince people OF my good taste; she
is not so rich that / would be suspected
OF wanting her money, aud still she Is 80
veil TO do that my choice will be thought
prudent; she Is not so young that | viii
have 10 be her guard an, nor so old that
people will laugh at me; she il of good
family, intelligent, Reutle, model"
"Oh, 10 is public opinion that Ia marry
ing Selytha!' exclaimed Annie. "Fortu-
nate girl! And she marries you for the
same reason. Fortunate mani And, by
the way, this has made me what | am,
this submissive oonyentionslity which
has neither heart nor sUul, which does
not dave do anything for ite own sake or
even 10 think of something original
The adherence of this trite convention
Airy, that ia what has made me so for
ward and iudisoreet. OF cuUrse | am of
no Importance People do not think me
pretty, because have face OF my own
and not an every day face-aud am not
rich-except an unusual and unused vg-
or and love. am not of good family,
although my parents were honest and
thrifty people ~ and ! am so young
some fifteen years younger than Sely
thu"
"But, Annie, Annie" Anton interrupted
the impulsive girl, "how unjust You arel
You know how much | think OF you
yea, it is for your sake, that / may be
able to offer you a home, that | marry
Sely tina"
For my sakeY' Annie arose hastily,
drawing away her bend from his. "Aud
you ina Inc that would live with you 60
witness your humiliation in this ao7rible
e--this result OF cool reason, not
OF love; to see how everything that love
in You, your slow, but good common
sense, your truihfuluess and goodness
of heart, will be ohoked by falsohood, by
pocrisy and commonplace conventions.
ity--"
You would not come - usY' Anton
remained seated on the sofa ia confusion.
It seemed to him that every thing thar
had lent charm and expression had
been torn out OF his life, and that he were
z ziug into an endless empty space, as
il srulght had Disappeared from the
world But We shalt not let you 90 from
Us, AunieE' he finally said eagerly:
Have you or Selytha power over meY|
Can YOU force me- TO accept charity
always charity, sen of charity aud uota
drop of love? The only vhiug that has
power aud force is love! ard no one loves
mt-aud | must not love any one" Then
Auton arose.
but, Agnje, | love" he began confus-
eddy. She took her hands from her face
and looked 8t mm through tears, breath
less, ex pectant, with opened lips.