The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1896-06-19

A ~ benefactor, my PRE-
'CN7N server? Do you
think have a
heart Of stone? Do you think for lux
ury and gradeur I shall renounce you
and Walter? No, no; If that is the pen
atty of liberty, let me stay here for
ever"
Mr.. Vernon looked sadly at the kind
ling eye and flushed cheek.
my dear child" he said kindly. 81
shall never wrong your noble nature by
a single such unkind thought. You will
never forget us, but time and new as
sociations, more than all your duty to
mother, this gentleman has pictured
so lovable and beautiful, will make you
acquiesce contentedly in decree long
standing customs have made more
binding than the edicts of sovereign. "
Eleanor was looking beseechingly at
Walter, but he neither spoke nor NOV
ed, nor seemed to have heard word
that had been spoken. She went to him
and touched his hand timidly.
Walter" said she, pleadingly.
Lady Eleanor!"
The girl stood silent a moment, and
then burst into tears.
II am not Lady Eleanor hate the
name" cried she passionately. I am
your Ellie, that you loved and cared for
once. If l cannot be the same STILL |
will fling myself on Toms grave, and
no force shall tear me from it. Oh, /
thought l was so happy when I knew
a ship had come at last, but now l Z m
so miserable"
ELLIE, dear Ellie" said Walter, fore
ed from his icy formality by her tears,
''let us go to Toms grave now for the
last time"
She obeyed instantly, and unmolested
by any of the party, they went down the
path Toms feet had worn so plainly in
the green, and sat down beneath the
Hibiscus tree. Then Walter spoke.
How clear and strong and hopeful his
tone was.
Ellie" he said, "you know how my
father has taught me, what sentiments
he has instilled, for you have shared
them. You know l must not swerve
from the path honor and conscience
point out to me; you know l will not
though the way is strewn with thorns.
You are restored now to the topmost
round of noble society, while l, even for
your sweet sake, though life holds no
prospect so dear as the hope of your
love-I will not be lifted up to a place
beside you by any ones pity or graft
tude or charity-no, nor by sweet love
itself. My place is far below; but II
can, by my own exertions, industry, per-
severance and genius mount up to your
side, I will do it. Day and night will
strive and pray for it; your dear mem
DRY shall keep my soul strong in the
struggles no other can usurp your
throne within my heart. Hush, Ellie,
promise from you; l have no right to
do it,"
Her eye was fixed uron him in proud
affection.
1T is like you, Walter, to talk So
No matter, IL you will not hear 1t. Here
at Toms grave, which shall never see
again, l say to the wind and sea and
sky, IL your ears are deaf, know Wal
ter will succeed, and l shall wait for
him."
The soft, exulting tone, half shy, half
bold, was irresistible. Walter was not
so heroic that he could turn away with
out one grateful kiss to the archly-smil-
ing lips. This was all that was said
was it betrothal?
Sir John evidently thought Lady
Eleanor Collinwood had talked long
enough with an obscure plebeian's son,
for he came sauntering down the path
with significant cough.
Walter quietly retreated to his faith
er's side, and the gallant old officer, ex-
erting himself to the utmost to enter
tain her, began flattering account of
her mothers high position, exceeding
loveliness and irreproachable character.
"Ah, my dear young lady," Sid he,
"you cannot imagine how all London
idolizes, venerates and yet fears Lady
Annabel, because her unparalleled
goodness is constant reproach to the
folly and indiscretion of ordinary NOR
tails. She is at once the pet of our royal
mistress and the pride of the whole
court"
"Ah," sighed Eleanor, her sparkling
eyes yelling over with tears, $50 SUI
perior herself, how will she be able to
love single wildwood's daughter like
me?"
Sir John gazed in smiling scrutiny
upon the lovely face turned toward him
so ingenuously.
Never fear; that you are your moth
er's own child is plainly shown by the
fact that this long isolation on a lonely