Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-11-01
MARlAN's SACRIFICE.
BY Jean Middlemrss.

manor, the pair had not met for a good
two months, and on the eventful NOR
row note was brought at in the
morning to the following effect:
"DEAR JoHN-I have just returned. Il
\ 10 o'clock and l am Oh to bed. viii
you kindly make point Of coming here
stt1f46morrow. - haye something of
an important and, I fear, rather painful
nature to tell you. Affectionately,
IN. PEYToN.
manor Park, Tuesday night"
John found it on his plate at breakfast.
The contents startled him. His first
thought was that Kate was dead-dying.
No, but what then? He read again, "An
important and, fear, rather painful ma
ture."
"Why. Johnny" cried her ladyship
from the other end of the table, "what
on earth are you reading7 You look"-
"Oh, nothing, mother, nothing. Just
Q line from Marian to say which is the
best hour to run over"
"And high time, I declare. I never
saw such a pair of lovers. Separated for
weeks, and for nothing that can make
out. However, I was saying to our
good Price yesterday that you two will
log on all the more safely for not having
done the Romeo and Juliet business be-
fore marriage, ct cetera, to not one word
Of which verbiage did her son listen.
Sharp to his time he entered his fan
GEES drawing room. She was looking
pale but well, and had put on, he
thought, an unnecessarily smart gown to
receive him. Somehow they were both
seated before the servant-who an
nounced him, and who had been asked
to alter one of the blinds-left the room.
Thus all question Of a fond salute had
been avoided.
She came at once to the point.
"John," she said, just clearing her
throat, II have that to say which l fear
will pain you. My note will have pre-
pared you, but believe that my affection
for you is great, and that suffer too in
having to affiict you. That, spite Of this,
you will despise me, know"
"Despise you! That never shall"
"Pray, pray, let me speak. Yes, de-
spise me; and that is the bitterest part to
bear. You, who are so constant, 90
noble-oh, what will you think Of me?"
"Nay, what can you mean7"
"John, you have heard much of wo-
mans fickleness, but you little thought
that p
what am I to understand? That
that you have seen another-that"-wi
q surprise not very unlike disappoint-
ment.
"Do not ask me. Oh, John, what can
1t matter il the result is the same? Hear
me. From the very first have had my
doubts. Remember, Lady Charlotte ar
ranged the match. determined to sink
deep into my heart; absence was impera-
tive for this end. John, l shall always
have for you the affection of sister, but
feel could never give you more, and
this would make me miserable in mar
riage. II you were content to jog on, az
they call it, could not be so II ever l
marry l must love with violence, with
enthusiasm" Why was there something
as she said this so like tear in the large
dark eye? "Oh, John. be great, be noble
indeed-set me free!"
Dalyell was such gentleman that his
one dread, his one preoccupation, at this
blest moment was lest his joy should be-
tray itself
He strove to act jealousy.
II see 1t plainly" he said. you wish
to marry some one else. Who is her
There was almost gleam Of Joy in her
| face as she heard this. but she only
prayed:
NAY, John, you will grant me my
boon of liberty. I zee it-you must
you shalt Oh, do not mar the gift by
seeking to know more"
He turned away a. il to master some
rebellious feeling, but what was really
passing in his brain was:
now comes vnIs: 1 nave never dreaint
that Kate Templemore cared pin for
me. and now I seem to know-to feel
she loves mel"
| But 1t was with composed face that
he turned once more and said in low
Arm tones:
"Be it 90. And, Marian-your hand"
She gave it to him. 1--WE shall ever re-
main friends?"
"Friendsl You are the noblest, best OF
men. Yes, friends for life!'
And he was gone. What would have
been his amazement could he have seen
the effect of his exit!
First she stood leaning forward, breath
lessly listening to his football, but it grew
fainter still; there was no chance of his
turning back. whatever this lovesick wo-
man could wildly hope.
Presently, as that last flicker died out,
she drew herself up to her full majestic
height, clenched her rigidly held down
fists, set her teeth. and with glance still
burning, Kissed out:
"Oh. poor, poor wretch, to have dreamt
that you loved me. Go-love dolls and
childrenw
Then instantly the chord Of her hypoc-
risy and Of her anger seemed to snap; she
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