Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-07-12
with pleasure" said. cordially

there's an awfully nice girl here who
is dying % make your acquaintance.
She has heard SO much about you,
don't you know, and your preaching,
and all that. Nothing will satisfy her
but an immediate introduction Come
along.
Millington was very vain. knew
my message battered him He left
Miss Darbys side with some reluc-
tance; but he lett IT, introduced him
q the intense eyes which fastened
upon him instantly. 1t was clear that
ne was booked for the present Then
| repaired TO Miss Darby's side The
company was breaking up into twos
and threes
shall We" suggested 10 her, take
a short stroll through these beautiful
woods
She assented We roamed away to-
Pether. do not quite know what
came over me. wished To make my
self pleasant. but | could hardly say
word. She, too, was silent, and seemed
embarrassed For my part, | felt as
awkward as a plowboy. This sort OF
thing could not last. Somctlrng must
happen to break through our painful
constraint. Something did happen.
After awhile we returned to the
summit of heavens Gate. Certainly
the view from the eminence was SUI
perb Longlcat house, in the hollow be-
low was INTELLECTUALLY splendid and
the effect of the sunlight on these syl,
van glades was very glorious.
"Now, then, Vivian, out with it,"
said Martin Rayner to me, as we sat
: over our pipes that evening.
"Out with what?" ! stammered, col
orine.
You know we'll enough. What
were you saying TO my little godchild
all that long time this afternoon-eh?'
"l-I-the truth is" | answered,
hurriedly, II couldn't help it, Rayner
I'm no match for her, | know, and
haven't penny of fortune. I-I-sup-
pose ought not to have spoken. But
I couldn't help 1t, I-I-asked Bee
Miss Darby to marry me; and-and-
she said Yes"
Rayner did not speak. l looked up
into his face, fearing that he was
vexed. need have felt no apprehen-
sion. His eyes were bright with ten
der kindliness.
My lad" he said, in answer 10 my
look, Il give you joy. can share
your feelings l. too, have had my lit
tie romance. When | was about your
age fell in love. Her name was Bee
also. Like you, had no fortune. I'm
. 7 f,o a I
thought hopcd-she knew that l
loved her. circumstances
took me TO another part of England.
did not return for three years When
I returned found her married"
There were traces of strong feeling
on Rayners face, 1t was clear that
this event was still very real to him
after twenty-five years.
Things had happened in the inter
val of which | was not, at the time,
aware. Her father had lost all his
money. They were large family of
! children. And there was a sutton ready
10 take Bee as soon As She would have
! him. He was young fellow-a clergy
man, with All assured position and
tolera BILE living. He had the ear of her
parents who, no doubt, believed that
they were consulting her happiness in
promoting the match. 1t ended as
they wished. She married him"
Rayner paused a minute. light
was beaming in his eyes which inn
parted to them an expression of sub
lime tenderness.
Vivian, she was-she Is still-my
only love; but now in different in a
higher sense. The old, fierce passion
died long ago. From its ashes has
risen another, sweeter sentiment Why
do you suppose | have buried myself
in this distant corner? Twas she that
drew me here, my lad. To guard, To
cherish her has been my single aim for
twenty years"
"l-l-dO you mean | began.
Yes, he interrupted me; you have
guessed il. After twenty years love
her more than ever, but 1t Is with that
tenderness which we feel toward the
spirits Of our dead. She is one OF my
dead, Vivian. She is the angel that
hath reached me down her hand and
lifted me from the slough Of a despe-
radios life"
| have never seen a face look more
beautiful than old Rayner's then. His
words had stirred me deeply. We both
sat silent. At last Rayner spoke.
My lad, f" he said, earnestly, do you
know l wanted you TO love the little
Bee? | have spent "A year or two seek
ing some man worthy of her. believe
| have found him in you. You cannot
think how glad you have made me,
Jack. And really l was growing anx-
ious. She has seen so few men, and
that handsome humbug, Millington,
was always hanging round her. But
it is all right now. Your hand, Jack.
And mind you, make her happy"
Next mornIng Rayner called me into
his study.
You are going to see her father to-
day. lie thinks you are an eligible
young man with n comforta BILE fortune.
So you are, for you must accept this"
He handed me pink slip of paper.
! glanced at it. could not believe my
eyes. 1t was a check for-twenty thou
sand pOundsl