The state herald., 1895-12-27


EtltSssN$ht11Lal Yes. Mr.. Ruth
VANISHED ven," she replied,
SNI3Y with downcast
Sk,N2L head.
cNSGN. He did not make
SJEpSsQS any comment at
the intelligence 80
abruptly communicated to him for a
few minutes. and then he said:
"This Is very sudden, Hamilton"
Sudden. do you call 1t, Uncle? You
forget 1t is SIX weeks since you left us
here, with one another for company.
How could l have any choice but to
fall In love with her, unless. indeed
I had taken up with old Garrett, and
that would scarcely have pleased you
better?"
II did not say was displeased. Ham,
ilton."
"Oh. sir! I hope you are not" inter
posed Margaret.
But I must take time to consider
your request, and tins is not the mo-
mont for discussing It. l have just
come of long and fatignlng journey
and you ought to be at your lessons"
The disappointed man of the world
could not resist the temptation of Civ
Ing his boy-rival that unworthy little
cut. But Hamilton received It will
his usual eQuanimity.
MY studies, you mean, uncle. Al
right, We won't say anything more
about it till the evening. then, wher
you will be rested, ana I shall be al
leisure. Goodbye till dinner-time
Ia, tn. Pearl"
And he ran away as hastily as he had
entered.
Ruthven prepared 10 quit the room
Margaret approached him timidly.
you are not angry. Mr.. Ruthven?"
''Of course not. my dear. What have
to be angry ahaut? Only this pro
posal of Hamilton's is far too serious
matter to be settled in a moment.
do not wish to disappoint either OF you
but really do not see my way to &C
cede to his wish at present"
Margaret began to cry.
Would 1t be SO great trouble t
you to give up the idea Of marryii
my nephew" he inquired. seeing L
tears upon her cheek.
"Oh, yes. Mr.. Ruthven! We 10
each other SO very, very much. A.
Hamilton says he will never marry Al
one but me. And would die rath
than marry any one but him."
Ruthven recognized the chlldlshnt
of the expression, but set n higher val
by the reasoning than 1t deserved.
He sighed deeply, and turned ava.
II promise you one thing, Margare,
will do what appears to me to b.
the best and wisest thing for both yoi
and Hamilton. and " your attachmen
is sincere. l will pu, no obstacle in tn
way OF your future union. l can sa,
no Inore than that"
II was a great deal for him to sn
90 much. II the girl had fully rea
the sacrifice his great heart made !
saying It. she would nave knelt dow
and worshiped him as sometbing MOI
than man. But she had no idea OF II
pain she had Inflicted.
Meanwhile, Ruthven found his W.
up 10 his own room. and summon,
Mrs. Garrett TO conference.
How much have you known Of Il
COMPOUNDED piece of folly betwo
Hamilton and Margaret o'Rellly?" !
demanded Of her.
"Lor' bless you, sir, don't call II l
such n name or course saw III
young creatures were taking to eaei
other from the beginning. I'm MOI
blind. But | never Imagined you'd
take on about II. It seems the natural
est thing In the world to me-"
1T may be natural enough; but It
is highly inexpedient Hamilton's age
renders II absurd. In the first place;
but were he nine and-twenty instead
OF nineteen. he has no money to marry
on"
They don't think OF being married
yet awhile. sir. surely. the young
rogues."
They want to be engaged. which
means the same thing. And then.
though Margaret Is everything we
could wish now. we mustn't forget
what she was
"Lor'. sir You wouldn't 10 to east
that at the poor child. would your"
Ruthven WINGED. lie felt his words
TO have been very unfair. How could
he honorably say such thing. when
he had wished TO marry the girl him
self
well. putting that aside. Garrett.
the whole busin.Hs In foolish and Inn
practicable; and I'm sorry you didn't
look better after your charge during
my absence"
II don't think you ought to blame mo
for II. Mr.. Jamca, II you put FIRE 20
wood, you must expect II TO catch
aiight. and any one who saw you de-
iibsrateiy leave. them two together for
six whole weeks. would have thought
a. ! did-that you wanted thea to
make 4 match. and did II on purpose"
"oh! VERY we'll. It cant be helped
now: thst will do"
But. left nione. the man suffered bit.
tcrly. and none the less that. by want
OF forothought. he had brought II on
himself. The houaokeeper was right.
and he was wrong II he wished TO
win Margaret he should have remained
upon the spot. and not let his smooth
tongued. fair-haircd. nudacious nephew
walk over the course In NO aggrayatlng
n manner. II he gave decided denial
10 his suit. Margaret would learn TO
look upon him as her enemy and the
opposcr OF her happiness: but " he
sanctioned their engagement, and II
ended In marriage. Rnihyou was GER
tain she would be u very miserable
woman. 70 he had cause To dlairnai
Hamilton Shore, TO consider him weak