The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-08-07

criticisms than regular objections |
laid down my work with the resolve to
throw myself on her mercy
Aunt Helen, why is it that all of you
are so opposed to Mr.. Dale:'
Opposed. Well, dear, should hardly
call it that. said my aunt Your
father has an idea, believe, that Mr..
Dale is mercenary in his views What
foundation for il he may have do not
know AS for myself, cannot say
am opposed, for ! scarcely know the
young man"
MY father is unjust" | said. with
tears ID my eyes.
1T may be. dear. Very likely he
wonld own himself that it was merely
an impression but it is only right that
he should watch over your interests care
fully
Is II watching over my interests TO
cast suspicion on the motives of one of
my best friends 2"
1T viii all come right in the end
dear"
'.He is noble and high minded. Noo one
shall say anything against him IN my
presence, | cried iercely.
Ny aunt slnoethed out the Tap OF her
dress refectively You are quite justi-
fed IN standing up for your friend, Vir-
ginia. No one can blame You for that.
| have no doubt this young Dale is all
you describe him to be. Only" she
added, with an. apologetic cough, "be
discreet. Some persons, perhaps. would
wish to be better informed before ceas-
ing TO feel uneasy. | believe, though, IN
trusting to girls own instinct in these
matters; it rarely goes astray.. If my
parents had followed that course.
might have been more happy,
She raised her handkerchief to her eyes
to stay tear, and with an impulse of
gratitude and pity went to her and
kissed her.
Eyes, she murmured, acknowledging
my sympathy with a pressure of the
hand. when Lwas just about your age
there was young man who was very
fond of me, and liked him He wished
to marry me-
And your father objected to him.
He thought we were too young. He
insisted upon our waiting until we had
more money! So we did, and he fell
into bad habits. and-and we drifted
apart. 1t is along story"
''Oh, Aunt Helen, ! am very sorry!"
Thank yoa dear | should never
have told you except to show that
could sympathize with you. Only, as
have said, be discreet. 1t is serious
responsibility for me to assume. hope
| you will take no decisive steps without
consulting yo11r father Kiss me. Vir-
ginia.
! We embraced with fervor, and | was
sure that had gained an ally.
Mr.. Dale arrived or the expected day
and was kindly welcomed by my aunt,
VINO asked him to stay to tea. 1t was a
superb evening, and he proposed that we
J should go ont on the water as was the
custom at Tinkers Reach
He had been an accomplished oar in
college and a dozen strokes sent the
light boat skimning beyond the bevy Of
similar craft by which we were sur
! u. d
pond and the moon was at the full.
lay back with my face turned to thu
heavens and my fingers trailing in thu
cool water Mr. Dale rowed on unit
/ the lights on shore seemed mere specks
and we could just perceive the gentle
roll of the Atlantic swell. He rested OF
| his oars and listened. The voices of tht
others were lost in the distance, and onl,
| the tinkle of a banjo waited from ala
broke the nights tranquility. The waite
was alive with phospnorescence tina
! sparkled like gems around the blades.
/ We had neither of us spoken sine
1 starting. know not what were hi
| thoughts, but mine were full Of happi
ness. felt sure, sure of his love, ani
sure that he should have mine for tht
asking. And yet so perfect was N,
/ peace that / hoped he would postpon,
| the words that were TO make Us still
nearer to each other. We had talked 81
much of love and of its rapture and N
| seltishness earlier IN our acquaintanc
| that now 1t was come to Us silenc
seemed the'most fitting commentary
But he had made up his mind to speal
at once.
Virginia, [ have brought you GU
here where we are alone, and where onl,
nature can interrupt Us, to tell you tha
adore you Let the inconstant moor
and twinkling stars laugh as they please
[ know that true love exists, for my sou
is full of it at this moment. Speak
dearest, and make me happy forever"
In the fullness of my transport at hi
ardent words it seemed TO me thai
heaven was come down to earth. Ny
dreams had promised no such blessed
ness as this. Family and softly muir
INJURED:
Roger, you know that love you with
all my heart"
MY dariingt"
MY beloved"
Is there an hour to compare in unquali-
fed happiness with that in which a wom-
an of impulsive nature, ignorant of the
worl and hlindly trusting, whispers the
condolences of her innocent bosom in the
ear of her accepted lover? Roger and |,
alternately silent with bliss or overflow
ing with the rapture Of the hearts Ian
guage, strolled arm in arm along the
moonlit shores far into the night
Only one incident marred our content.
Virginia, said Roger suddenly, what
will vo17,- 70