The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-04-20

she won him from it for an hour, size
was happy.
So two years had passed, and no daugh-
ter in the home Of a father was happier
than was this orphan girl.
Then certain guest came often to the
house. He was Dr. LamingtoD, one Of
the ablest practitioners OF the city,
man Of talent who was rapidly amassing
fortune. He had seen Theodore first
at the bedside of little Lora when the
child had IN attack of sickness. He be-
came interested in her, paid court to her
and finally offered her his heart and
hand. Then it was that Mr.. Granger
had said
ut is an offer, Miss Nelson, which you
would do well to give some thought to-"
How gravely and coolly he had said it
and what shock to her there was in his
quiet words! Theodore started from her
stupor and cast herself down upon a
lounge.
1t was the crisis of her life. Alone in
her chamber she commenced the struggle
which should decide her destiny.
She faced the bare, painful fact that
she loved Mr.. Granger. She loved him
as the source of all her life happiness.
And his words had shown her 'the gulf
between them. However kindly his gem
tleness met hers, they Mage socially at a
distance. She bnsysgtliought Of such
things, but she knew that Mr.. Granger
did, that he valued hisipatrician blood
patrican in the highest sense of the
word. 1t was blood kept pure from
faint Of vice through dozen generations.
A bnf finch f,, HbnpIppn' . fhnnI-c n
she thought Of her father. No; her an
ccstors were not her bcnefactors, and
Mr.. Granger would not marry his gov
erncss even il he loved her.
The fine, grave, dark face came up be-
fore her. She dropped her face upon her
arm, murmurng:
II would die for him-ah, would die
for him!'
Her happiness was all past The late
event had broken apart the invisible rib
bons which bound her to her love. 1t
would never be the same again. She
could not stay there.
Where should she go?
For the first time the thought came,
"Why not marry DR.. Lamington?'
Night came and pressed heavy black
ness against the windows. The fire died
down. Theodore arose, shivcring. Two
hours had passed
81 have decided" she said.
A certain ightness was upon her,
though she had decided to go out into
the world, homeless, upon the next day.
She went down stairs and softly open
ed the library door. Mr.. Granger looked
up from his book.
avail Mice Nnle,op
81 have decided, MI. Granger"
"About Lamington? Well, how, may
askT'
II shall not marry him."
Mr.. Granger sat quietly looking at the
anthracite in the CRATE.
"Are you sure that you comprehend the
advantages of his offcrY' he said at last.
81 am sure that do not love him. |
do not need to know any more"
There was silence.
"Mr. Granger"
"Well?'
81 find it desirable to change my posi-
ton. My quarter is finished tomorrow,
and shall be obliged to leave you then"
lie bowed She spoke in a tone which
required no more. Then she turned to
the door. She had opened it when she
heard her name pronounced as she had
never heard it pronounced before.
"Theodora."
She looked back.
"Will you come hcrc?' Mr.. Granger
said, putting out his hand.
Inconsciously she went 10 him. He
took her hands and drew her down to
little footstool at his side.
.'TheDdOrn ~ no said eofflv twill Won
not stay here as my wife,"