Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-04-14
THE BURLINGTON FREE PRESS: THURSDAY, APRIL a. 1892

control OF larger amounts later. l said
further that was anxious to learn, and
to acqut myself with credit, and that it
had struck me rs brilliant scheme to
double my property q fixed upon this as
reasonable estinate) by some invest
ment He listened to my words with
close attention, and as he made no COM
ment at this point said:
"You are down town, Mr. Dale, and
must necessarily understand business
matters. / come to you for advice.
want you to tell me what to buy. will
give you the money, and when You think
it time to sell will authorize you to do
30. You see / am not entirely ignorant
myself"
Roger Dale gave a short laugh and
made no response for a moment. at
wouldn't do" he said at last, shaking his
head. what would your father say if
he heard of it2 He doesn't have any too
high an opinion of me already, fancy"
But, Mr.. Dale, that would be the
very way to prove to him that you are a
practical business man. If my father
were to take you into his confidence he
could push you ahead very fast, know,
will show him the profits of your in
vestments and bestow the credit where
it belongs"
The idea seemed to amuse him, for he
laughed again. you seem to forget,
Miss Harlan, that instead of profits you
might lose it all"
THAT would be impossible l have
too much confidence in your judgment
to fear any such result" | answered
sweetly, led away by the eagerness felt
to obtain his consent to the project
He gave me swift sidelong glance
that made me tremble and set my heart
Tutoring, though did not know why.
Besides" | said, speaking fast and
feverishly, 1.-The money is mine. l have
right to do what please with it,
There was pause, and then he said
with the same glance. only longer and
intenser than before, Miss Harlan,
cannot accept such a responsibility I'M
less you give it to me forever"
| was stunned. | had brought this
upon myself | could see plainly, now
that it was too late My undignified, I'M
feminine conduct stood out before me
the moment he had spoken, in all its
Notifying nakedness, He had mistaken
my meaning but it was | who was to
blame for the error. Inundated and
confused, was at a loss for words; but
reply was necessary.
You have misunderstood me entirely
Mr.. Dale. Let us change the subject, if
you please" said with dignity.
Fortunately some one came in just at
this moment, and Mr.. Dale shortly rose
To 90. But he dared in taking leave to
look at me again in the manner have
described, and in spite of my will and
desire my eyes fell as they encountered
his.
We did not meet again, much to my
relief, before | left town. | was in a
harassng state of mind, and happiness
alternated in my thoughts with despair.
For terrible secret had dawned upon
me-terrible, because fOresaw the pain
ful consequences which would result
therefrom. | loved Roger Dale 1t was
useless to disguise it longer from myself.
/ His words had made the truth manifest,
and that which | fancied friendship was
/ become mutual passion. Any NORTH
/ tdllOu may udNt ltlt dL ldNluS ull-
Willingly prompted the speech that had
! filled my heart with JOY was nullitied
by the consciousness that ! was beloved.
But the thought of Drawing the oppo-
sition Of my family distressed me be-
You'd measure, as it must needs distress
any conscientious girl in similar posi-
ton. My instincts told me that it was
vain to hope that they would relent,
1 Their objections We're baseless, but none
the less | knew that they would prove
insuperable. found myself face to face
with a dilemma fraught with unhappi-
ness which ever way i should solve it.
What was there to allege against Mr..
Dale? Nothing He was poor. But
what of that? My father had money
enough for us both Why need he mar
by cruel suspicious and preiudices this
! great joy of my life? | remember tC
have wondered sometimes that girls
| could marry contrary to the consent OF
| their parents, but ii seemed to Inc now
that no one could sacrifice an attach
ment as strong as mine to blind author
ity without doing wrong to the eternal
principles of love and honor. | vowed
in secret that if Roger Dale should prove
as true to the rs would be to him moth
ing should keep US apart,