The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-10-16

room; tt IS AtIce B0LteY."
The effect on woman of the revela-
ton that she loves him who has proffered
her his heart is like the awakening of
buds in spring, which beneath the soft
mysterious breath Of an invisible power
burst their bonds with graceful reluc-
lance and shyly gladden. nature.
1t seemed to me as if had never lived
before. Unlike the untutored passion Of
my extreme youth, my happiness was
calm and reflective, but none the less
satisfying. Under its sway found it a
comparatively easy task to overcome the
querulousness and revive the hopes of
Aunt Helen on my return home. 1t was
my desire, of course, to avoid any further
deception, and sought refuge in silence,
beyond the statement that the future
Duke of Clyde had gone to the west with
out making any definite proposal. But
assured her that he was certain to visit
us within a few months.
took up the round of my avocations
as if nothing had happened. We had
hired a cottage at Newport for the sum-
mer, and there ensconced myself, and
strove by means of books and friends to
keep the alternate endurance and de-
preston of my spirits within bounds.
But though | was at times melancholy
for a sight of my lover, joy was chiefly
predominant in my heart-so much so
that people commented on my cheerful
ness, and Aunt Helen dropped occasional
hints which led me to believe she cher
ished secretly the opinion that | was
enamored of her idol
My visits to Mr.. Chelm's office were Of
course renewed. | told him that had
visited the street where the Office of
Francis Prime and Company was situated
and had been pleased at getting glimpse
OF. it. In answer to my questions as to
what he thought of the progress of the
firm he said very little, except that all
business was in an unsettled state owing
to the speculative spirit that had fol-
lowed the long period of stagnation. AS
yet my protege seemed to have been
generally prudent, but it needed the ex-
perience of tried business man to re-
sist the temptations to make money by
short cuts presented at the present time.
He judged from the last reports sent
him that he had been lately making one
or two successful ventures in doubtful
class of securities, and he should take it
upon himself, with my permission, to
give him advice to avoid them for the
future.
felt an eager desire to say he had al
ready promised that the speculation in
which hewas now engaged should be the
last, but that of course was impossible
without disclosing my secret. How should
| ever have the face to make confession
to Mr.. Chelm when the time came, if
ever it did come?
AS the months slipped away began to
be haunted occasionally by the thought
that a year was a longer time than had
supposed, and it might be that Francis
Prime would take me at my word and
try to forget me. At such moments my
heart seemed to stand still, and a weary
vista of mOnotonous and never ceasing
maidenhood arose before me- It would
be preferable to die than to be deceived
now. l would not doubt, and indeed I
did not doubt. But who can control the
changing moods of the imagination?
think the consciousness that such a
thing as his proving false was POSSIBLE
ity affected my treatment of my maiden
aunts and made me more gentle and con-
siderate in regard to their foihles The
early lives of both of them were sealeo
books to me, excepting the glimpse Aunt
Helen had given me of hers at the time
OF my own first sorrow. Who could tell
that there was not in their hearts some
bit OF cruel treachery or mis.lnderstand-
ing still remembered, though unmen-
toned, which had scared and withered
existence for them? 1t was this feeling
among others that urged me to write to
Aunt Agnes and ask permission to spend
day or two with her before we finally
returned to town. She never left the
city, preferring, as she declared, the sta