The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-02-10
GONE BACH,
n SWEETHEART"

"CUNE D.iCk, (
SWEETHEART"
And now, Vera, il that presumptuous
Rathverne dares to show himself at
our new house, I shall certainly sus-
pect you Of encouraging him." said Mrs.
Harvey, a youthfull looking widow with
bright brown eyes, and with dimpled
cheeks the tint Of peaches which ripen
In tire sun.
Mamma, if that entirely irreproach-
able young Rathverne fails to present
himself at our new residence, then you
certainly may suspect your daughter
Of meeting him elsewhere" Vera re-
torted, in exact mimicry of her moth
er'S tone.
She was a tall, lovely girl, with
1ower-like face, as demure as a nuns,
and with large, deep blue eyes, just
now scintillatng with mischief behind
her Wondrous1y long, thick lashes.
Il wish you would be serious, Vera"
her mother said in a vexed and pet
tlsh tone. you know very well that
would never have undertaken the
expense and worry Of moving at this
season, only was determined to get
out Of the Rathvernes' neighborhoo :"
A laugh like the Warbling Of a thrush
rippled from Vera's coralred lips.
why, mamma, the Rathvernes are
not in the neighborhood. They moved
away two months ago." she announced.
"Well, I'm sure Il hope we shall
never see any Of them again." Mrs.
Harvey declared with energy.
4 think we are pretty likely to see
one Of them, for have promised to
be Covers wife some time," Vera re-
piled gently.
You shall never be his wife. You
shall never marry sob Of Ronald
Rathverne while live to prevent it!'
aVowed the mother, looking aggrieved
and angry.
ate daughter despite her girlish mis-
chief, and she would do nothing know
ingly or willfully wrong.
But now she felt that her mother was
childish and. unreasonable.
The Rathverne, family was ene of
the most honored in the city There
had never been an ungenerous deed or
unworthy motive imputed to any men,
Der OF it. Cover was handsome
wealthy, and a favorite in society.
Il can't understand why you object
to- Cover, mamma" Vera said after q
little silence.
1T is not for you to understand; it
is, for you to obey" Mrs. Harvey re-
sponded with severity.
You keep old Mr.. Rathverne's pict-
ure in your ivory box, anyhow. even
If you do hate him so," said Vera,
smiling.
Mrs. Harvey's unfaded, pretty feat
ures turned crimson. She darted q
sudden, almost frightened, glance at
her amused daughter.
But just then the front door bell rung
ID 1aasperio1Sly and she seized the oppoEs
tunity to retreat from the room go.
2 She returned in q moment, however.
and Vera noticed that she appeared
greatly disturbed egg, =
Your grandfather Harvey is very i'll,
and am wanted at once" she ex-
planned. 'sYou will be obliged to fin
ish the moving without me; and YOU
need not be anxious if I am not home
until late''
After some necessary instructions and
preparations, she provided herself with
latch-key belonging to the new resi-
dence, and so fastened away.
Vera understood housekeeping and
its various emergencies, and thus, to
superintend the half finished work of
the day was to her an agreeable excite
ment, rather than hardship.
When the last van had finally trans
ferred it's load to the new house, when
her own and her mothers rooms were
made cozy, and when the culinary quar-
ters were made ready for Immediate
necessities, she was too gratified with
her unwonted achievements to be con.
scious Of much fatigue.
When there was no more work to be
done for the day she exchanged her
dusty working dress for pretty house
gown, and stationed herself in a rocker
at one Of the dining room windows.
She had not sat there long when
she heard eager footsteps on the flag
ging, and saw a manly figure pause
at the bottom Of her own steps.
Cover Rathverne, her lover. bad
come, as he inimated he might do.
t. In a moment she joined him, and they
stroned away in the dim, hushed twi-
light, SO entirely and rapturously. happy
in each others society that, they hesi.
tated to recall the mysterious opposi.
ton which threatened to sunder them
forever in this lower world.
For Vera said, very firmly-f.for OF
course 1 cannot be your wife until
mamma is willing" p
is your own happiness nothing, love:
3 Are you SO Indifferent to what I must
suffer?" he expostulated.
+ "Oh, if yield something, then mann
ma must yield something, too! She
must allow US to see each other Just
. as often as we like" slid Vera.
Her lover smiled at the fash OF
girlish spirit.
z Il wish, my dearest, I could feel as
sanguine as you are" he answered
But foresee years of pain for us
both, and perhaps estrangement in the
end It will be hard for you. love
but it will be harder for me. Consider
well, Vera; for if you yield at all
you must yield in everything.
"But few years will not matter
Vera suggested. ~-,-~r>s '.ss.. .s = - =
t'The suspense and uncertainty con
3 tanned in those few years will matter
very much. r want you now, sweet
heart, Or at least, the assurance that
you will be mine after a reasonable
delay" Cover protested, with all q
lovers impatience. &@s 8.
But, plead or argue as. he might
Vera would promise nothing more