The Dickinson press., 1890-05-24

means to make himself presentable,
gave him blank check, signed, and told
him to fill it up for three thousand dol
lars. He filled it up for the entire
amount I had in the bank and fled to
Canada. l concealed his theft and al
lowed the world to think that from pure
caprice, coquetry, ickleness-what you
will had broken off the match almost
at the foot of the altar. 1t was readily
believed that, heart broken at my treach-
cry, he had gone away to try and bury
his grief"
"Try to forget him-forgiveness will
follow"
elbow shall l set about it?" she asked.
"Begin," said, "by casting aside
those emblems of mourning which you
wear. Go out into Gods sweet air and
sunshine, and you will soon return to a
healthy and normal state of mind"
II thank you" she said. simply. II
will try"
The next afternoon, with some mis-
givings as to the answer, l proposed that
we should make sort of family party
and visit a few places of interest in the
neighborhood. To my surprise and de-
light the invitation was accepted. OBJ
served with great qualification that Miss
Ives no longer wore mourning, but a
suit of delicate pearl gray.
Mother could hardly conceal her graft
fication at my success, and Mrs. Morton
fairly bubbled over with joy.
September came, and still our city
boarders showed no inclination to leave
us. Emily's cheeks had resumed their
pristine bloom, the roseate hue of health.
had loved her from the first, and, as
the charm and beauty of her mind and
character unfolded themselves to me, I
adored her. The social difference be-
tween us, my country breeding, above
all. my poverty, held me tongue tied.
And SO October came-that loveliest of
all months in the country-and with it
not altogether unexpected windfall for
me. A suit which for years had been
dragging along in the courts was at last
settled in our favor, and mother and
divided the snug sum of SEQ, 900 between
us. The homestead was partly mine,
and would be entirely SO at my mothers
death. Why, why, 1 was rich! laughed
aloud in my glee; and Miss Ives was
poor. Now, why should not speak?
Come what might, would know my
fate, and end the suspense which was
eating my heart out. And at last my
we'll guarded secret escaped me. told
her that loved her, and-appalled too
late at my temerity-waited for her to
pronounce my doom or lift me into para
disc.
Miss Ives did not seem as surprised as
had expected, nor did she show any re-
sentiment
She only seemed to be thinking, but it
was not long before she replied:
~ do not know whether I love you or
not. If loved-that other-with the
only real love of my life, then do not
love you; but if"-
"But if-if what?"
"If that was only passing fancy,
scattered at once and forever to the
winds by his unworthiness"-
"Oh, tell mo that it wasp l inter-
rupted.
"This much I can tell you, Geoffrey,"
she said. II owe you the deepest graft
tude that woman ever owed to man; and
could the same misfortune befall me as
in my betrothal, and you were the wrong
doer, could forgive you, as never can
him."
"Then you love mel" cried. II am
sure you do, for out Of love only could
such forgiveness come"
And, unrebuked, gathered her to my
heart.
asked if she would be content to live
at the old country home-she, her aunt,
with mother and me; but, if she would
not, would take her back to the great
city, for was rich now. A queer look
| passed over her features when / said
was rich, causing me to flush and bite
my lip with modification, remembering
how paltry sum $4,000 must appear
to girl who had had 100000.
Emily acquiesced in all my PROPOSE
tions and arrangements, and we were
married most unostentatiously at the
old homestead. Emily positively de-
clined to invite any of her friends, SO on
her side her aunt only was present.
Emily declared that she wanted moth
ing that reminded her of her old life.
Mrs. Morton did not like our homespun
ways as well as her niece did, and cheer
ed her days by having number of New
| York papers sent to her. l never looked
at them, but one day Emily ran her eye
over newly arrived batch, and sur
prised me by exclaiming in tone of ir-
ritation;
"Ah, have not been able to escape
the reporters even here!"
At her words my heart seemed to
stand still. "Escape!'' Reporters" af-
ter my wife! What could it mean? To
my rural mind reporters only followed
| up those who were wanted" for some
misdemeanor. The horrible thought
flashed through my mind that perhaps l
had married an adventuress-even a
criminal! For knew positively moth
ing about her, and she had been won so
easily-by simple country boy.
Emily glanced at me and laughed
lightly.
"Why, Geoffrey," she said, chow pale
you are! And what look of anxiety
you wearl Here, read what the report
ars say of usv'
read the following among the per-
sonals:
"Dliss Emily Ives, the eccentric thrice
millionaircss, gave the slip to the great
world of society, and was quietly mar
ried on the 23d inst, in -, to coun-
try gentleman of no fortune to speak of.
Dame Rumor says that on both sides it
was regular old fashioned love match.
The friends of the fair bride-and they
are legion-are rejoicing that at least
one American girl has preferred to be-
stow her immense fortune upon one of
her own countrymen instead of some
titled pauper."
"Is-is-it true?" gasped.
"Yes, it is true" she answered.
"But why did yon tell me that you
were penniless?'
81 never said that, Geoffrey-never.
told you that bad been robbed of thirty