The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-05-02

"Tou can't mean that you quould like me
to mdrrU Captain Con,UayW
claimed, "you don't understand
There is no question of my marrying
Captain Conway. 1t is--at least he
never-be besides, my devotion to your
poor fathers memory should have kept
you from jumping to any such conclu-
sion. Captain Conway is a good man,
and any woman might be honored in
marrying him. But my heart is in the
grave, and-and, besides, he did not
propose-he does not propose that l
should consider the question Of beeom-
ing his wife,"
Mary Hamilton stared open eyed at
her mother. "Dear mother" she said
gently, II am tired tonight. The chill
dren were very troublesome today, and
the rooms seemed more stuffy than
usual. l feel confused. Do tell me just
what Captain Conway did suggest to
you"
Mrs. Hamilton began to pour out the
tea with a vehemence which showed
how perturbed in mind she was "Your
poor father always said that l was in
judicious in telling news" she cried
in honest self abasement. II ought to
have seen that you were tired. Here is
your tea darling. Drink it at once and
have another cup to 60 on with. The
truth is, Mary, Captain Conway has
Hurried me till hardly know whether
am standing on my head Or my heels,
and-and l never gave a thought to
your being tired out with that hateful
school. Oh. to think that my daughter
should ever had been a board school
mistress, not one remove from ma
tional school, and your father clergy
man in holy orders!'
my dear mother, do explain your
self, said Mary, d fearful sense of COM
ing evil gradually overspreading her.
ooh, my darling cried the older
woman, cts all over now-all the
drudgery, all the pinching and the nip
ping! I've said little or nothing because
you wero shaving your youth away in
that horrid, degrading school, but now
I may speak, now I may say how bit
terly and cruelty have felt it all, the
humiliations, the-the'-
dear, there can be no degradation
or humiliation in honest work, said
Mary patiently and yet with dignity
which sat becomingly on her tired
young face "And what do you mean
by its being over? Not surely that Cap
tain Conway wants to marry me-.
"Yes, you'll And, oh, my darling, it
has made me SO happy" Mrs Hamil-
ton cried, "almost delirious with hap
piness!'
my dear mother, cried Mary, bolt
ing piece Of bread and butter with
what was almost convulsion, "you
cant mean that you would like me to
marry Captain Conway"
"Why not7' asked the mother blank
ly.
II couldn't do it'll" declared the girl
stoutly.
Couldn't do itl' Mrs Hamilton's
voice rose almost to scream. Couldn't
do it! Why, dear heaven, surely you
would never dream Of flying in the face
Of Providence by refusing him!"
Certainly I would"
"He is rich" cried Mrs. Hamilton.
"He is old enough to be my father"
said Mary. "And doubt if he is rich. "
Captain of one of the largest steam.
ships afioat, protested Mrs. Hamilton.
"He is exceedingly well off. He can
provide for you adequately. He has an !
excellent position
II don't couldn t--never could love |
himl' Mary burst ont.
perhaps not; but you can respect
himl' cried the mother.
II don't know that should even do
that much, Mary returned. Then she
suddenly clasped her hands together and
looked appealingly at the excited WON.
an opposite to her. ooh, mother Don't
you understand why l canrot do this
thing9 Have You been SO unhappy in
our little home that you want to sell
me to the first bidder? I've been so
contented in working for you. Has it
all been for nothing?"
Working for mel" Mrs. Hamilton
Indignantly. working for
ne. indeed And what have done all
hese years2 Look at my hands, work
ID to the bone cooking, scrubbing
ewing. continuing, making my own
,its of clothes and never place to
how them in in this desolate wilder.
lesH of bricks and mortar No one to
ssociate with, living pensioner on
our bounty, without pleasures, inter-
SITS or change Of any kind! And then
have your work thrown in my teeth.
ndeedr'
"Oh. mother'
"1t's all very well to cay, oh, moth
r. But I'm speaking the truth. AL
aese years I have struggled and striven
" You. And now, wliSu Won havea