The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-11-30
AN EARLY CALL.

be nothing to him without her, but he
told her, simply and earnestly, that
She was very dear to him; that he had
always loved her, and that as his wife
1t would be his care to guard her from
the worlds rude buffetings- II think
l could make you happy" he said. Il
am not as clever as some of the men
you know, but | love you"
Yes" she murmured; Il know you
love me-you have always been good
to me: you must Enow-you must feel
that | appreciate it. 1t touches me to
have you care for me-I wish | could
make you understand that | am CRATE
full
Grateful! But why should you be?
Could help loving you? Could | know
you and not care for you? You are so
unlike other women, SO free from envy
and petty malice. l have watched You
with your girl friends-I have seen
you do many a kindness that you
thought nobody knew anything about.
| think it was your goodness that
charmed me first"
She looked up-was he really in
earnest?
Don't praise me-" she said; 'com-
pliments from other men are well
enough, but not from you
rs it a compliment to tell you what
l think? And it seems to me l have
said SO little. All, if you could know
what is in my heart-but no doubt"
as she made an impatient movement,
you have heard all this before-a
twice-told story wearies. What can |
say to win you-you who are SO used
to being loved? To another woman |
might speak of my wealth, of all that
could give her, but not to you"
You think too well of me-" she
broke in.
No, Edith understand you-and
that is why want you all for mine, to
have and to hold, to love and to cher
ish; say that you like me a little, that
you Will be my wife
She leaned toward him, the words
that would send him from her, and
end forever the friendship that had
become part of her life, were
trembling on her lips, when he. guess
ing her intention, perhaps, said, hur-
riedly: Some one is coming-your
German partner. / think. Don't an
swer me now; later on will do as we'll"
She breathed freely. 1t was natural
for her to postpone unpleasant things
to put off the evil day as long as
possible.
As you wish. then; will you call to-
morrow"
Yes, in the morning, at eleven"
He bowed and withdrew just as her
next partner came hurrying up.
The cotillon is about to begin, Miss
Alton" he said, taking Manning's
chair. but 1 think we have time for
short chat You don't mind talking
to me for a few minutes. do you?''
why, no." she answered for she
liked the lad not only for his own
sake. but because of his friendship
with that other, whose image was
never long bsent from ner mInd.
by the way he said, as if reading
her thoughts, Il got a letter from
Agnew to-day. l thought you might
care to hear from him; you always
seemed such friends
Yes" she responded, idly. "How is
hep"
Very well. but growing homesick.
Think of it! lie has been away six
weeks"
No doubt he is enjoying himself"
'Oh, Carl will always get the best
out of life: that's his way, you know"
Yes, i know" The answer was
given so carelessly, with such appar-
ent indifference, that he was about to
speak, to tell her the tidings that his
letter contained, and which 50 far
some instinct had made him with
hold, when his hostess appeared in the
doorway.
Come, you two" she called; the
others are waiting for you"
Dear Mrs. Danton," said the girl.
rising, Mr.. Lane and l are such old
friends that we sometimes forget how
time flies"
You young dissembler." laugh ed
the older woman; you know Herbert
Manning was in the con servatory with
you"
\ sudden blush stained Edith's
chcek-she hated herself for it, it was
so apt to mislead-but Mrs Danton
seemed in no way surprised
There, child; don't look so fright
ened," she said. No one wi,hes you
happiness more than ]"
But, Mrs DantOn-"
Really, Miss EIith." put in Lane,
who had been puzzled and uncom-
Portable listener, Il don't like to
hurry you, but we shall surely be
late
She turned away; after all, what
did it matter; by tomorrow the world
would know the truth. Manning's
face would tell the story of his rejec-
ton and a few hours 'misconstruction
could harm no one. But late that
night. when she stood in her own
pretty room, she felt vaguely dissatis-
fled with herself; she could not put
the feeling from her
Il have not acted honestly" she said
aloud. Il should have answered him;
it was not kind To put him off, it may
lead him to hope he may have misun-
derstood me-" She was silent n mo-
ment. then went on still contritely:
And / do like him. He is the llindest,
truest friend but love" She arose
and crossed the room
When she came back she carried a
photograph, mans cold, clever face
the face of one who knew the world,
and was perhaps not on the best of
terms with it.
But for you" she said, gazing into
the uDresponsive eyes, Il had loved
that other man; if you had not shown
me so clearly that | was dear to you,
/ might still care for him, for he loves
me dearly; but it is too late now-too
late to talk of what might have been"
She stopped and laid her lips on the
pictures
The next morning she was idling
over her fire, when the maid brought
up bunch of heartsease and a card:
MIR. Manning's compliments, ma'an,
and will you see him?''
Yes; say to him that / will be down
in moment"