Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1891-08-21

gininal Inconsistencies, that air of never
having bowed her stately young head to
sacrifice or to sentiment, which sat upon
her with so bright radiance. But now
he asked himself, with sigh, whether
the more conventional feminine charms
and virtues did not make girl more
convenient and comfortable to get on
with. Perhaps if Gwendoline could be
softened little-just fttle-by the
contagion of her young aunt's delightful
manner, it might be an added attraction
to the proud young beauty. How very
womanly Mrs. Newcomb's manner was.
And she looked so girlish, too. He re-
membered now that he had heard the
Ventnors say that she had married very
young, and that her husband had been
great deal older than herself. He had
died, leaving her very little property,
and she had never loved him. 1t was
hard, Edgar Warfield's manly and chiv-
alrous heart felt, with a glow, that so
kindly, 80 dear and sweet little woman
should have had to bear anything sad in
her life.
The next day Gwendoline had letter
from friend bidding her come to make
her q visit of some weeks.
"And she is going, my dear2" cried
poor Mrs. Ventnor, in dismay, to Phoebe
Newcombe. "Nothing can say will
keep her,"
"Dear Gwen, what of Mr.. Warfeld2"
asked the little widow of her niece.
81 imagine Mr.. Wartield is able to
take care of himself, is he not?" ex-
daimed the young lady.
She left on the morrow and she was
gone three weeks. On her return she
harmed that her young aunt's visit was
soon to draw to close.
''Mr. Warfield has been here great
DEAL" the girls mother told her, "and if
he has not decided long ago to discon-
tnue his attentions to you you may thank
Phoebe for it. I think she tried to make
aim see that you would listen to reason
iome day. He was here again this morn
ng. We did not expect you, quite on
ihis train you know, so they started for
little walk-PhGbe and MIR. Warfield.
Aren't they coming up nowa"
Mrs. Ventnor was near sighted, but
her daughter was not. The latter glanced
out of the window and saw, very slowly
moving up the path, her aunt, with her
pretty head dropped, and Edgar War
iield, with his head dropped, too. AS
they came in view of the house both
heads Strengthened suddenly.
SIS it they9" repeated Mrs. Ventnor.
But Gwendoline had, apparently, not
heard either question,
"And so you are going away-to leave
us2" inquired the young lady of her aunt
later in the day.
eyes, unfortunately, dearest-to-mor.
row." and Mrs. Newcombe passed her
soft hand about her nieces arm.
Gwendoline disengaged herself.
"We shall miss YOU"
"How shall we get on without my lit
tie aunt, Mr.. Warfield?" said Miss Vent
nor to the young man within few days.
~ begin to think she was the sole at
traction for you in our house. You have
deserted us since she left"
A color came into the young mans
cheek.
"Why, not at all, not at all! II as
sure you. l have had certain things on
my mind of late. In fact, l think of GO
ing up to town Tomorrow" His eager
ness stumbled and grew lame.
''Do you"
Two weeks later.
"MY DEAR AUNT PHGBE E-Wher Mr..
Warfeld left for town he said, upon me
questioniong him, that he thought he
might see you. What am going to ask
you-to tell you-to do is very, very deli.
cate. | wonder if ever girl was placed
in such predicament before2 But you
know that am nothing if not fearless
aud independent. And think that in
this case the fearlessness will not be con-
strued as boldness. 1t used to be ad-
mired. Briefly, the accompanying ring
was given me-pressed upon me-weeks
ago by person whom need not men-
tion. He begged that whenever l could
think well of what he urged upon me
The day tried his ring on my finger Gn
JEST would send that ring to him. Moth
ing more. He will understand. I do
not know his address just now. Perhaps
you do. Will you re-address the little
package, thens Yours, GWEN.
"MY DEAR GwENDoLTNE-I am afraid
.here has been some great mistake. That
IS, l fear-I don't know how to say it
put, perhaps he-I mean Edgar-forgot
lbout the ring. The truth is dearest
3wendoline, we are engaged n-Neao