The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-04-06

expressed approval Of a soft gra,
silk she possessed, she often wore it
The motive in all this was gratitude
and unconscious love. She woulC
have cut off her right hand if it would
have given Mr.. Granger any pleasure
His gloom was the sorrow OF her life
When she won him from il for al
hour she was happy.
So two years had passed, and nc
daughter in the home of father was
happier than was this orphan girl.
Then a certain guest came often %
the house. He was DIR. LamingtOn
one Of the ablest practitioners OF the
city-a man Of talent who was rapidly
amassing a fortune. He had seen
Theodore first az the bedside OF little
Lora, when the child had an attack
OF sickness. He became interested
in her-paid court to~her--fnally
offered her his heart and hand. Then
il was that Mr.. Granger had said
at is an offer, Miss Nelson, which
you would do well 10 give some
thought to-"
How gravely and coolly he had said
it-and what a shock 10 her there was
in his quiet words Theodore
started from her stupor and cast her
self down upon a longe.
II was the crisis OF her life. Alone
in her chamber she commenced the
struggle which should decide her dee-
tiny.
She faced the bare, painful fact that
she loved Mr.. Granger. She loved
him as the source Of oil her life hap
piness And his words had shown
her the gulf between them. However
kindly his gentleness met hers, they
were socially at n distance. She never
thought OF such things, but she knew
that Mr.. Granger did, that he valued
his patrician blood--patrician in the
highest sense OF the word; il was blood
kept pure from n taint Of vice through
dozen generations. A hot flush came
10 Theodora's cheeks as she thought
Of her father. No, her ancestors
were not her benofactors, and Mr..
Granger would not marry his COVER
ness, even il he loved her.
The fine, grave, dark face came up
before her. She dropped her face
upon her arm murmuring:
81 would die for himl-- --ah, / would
die for himl"
Her happiness was all past. The
late event had broken apart the invis-
ible ribbons which bound her TO her
love. IL would never be the same
again. She could not stay there.
Where could she gop
For the first time the thought came :;
"Why not marry Dr. Lamington?"
The pretty chamber was still but
for the ticking of the little watch
which had been her Christmas gift.
The red fre-light played upon the
white ceiling, the picture frames gilt
tered upon the wall, a tiny marble
Xantho giimmered in corner Thoo-
dora lay still and thought.
Night came and placed n heavy
blackness against the windows; the
fire died down.
A certain lightness was upon her,
though she had decided TO go out into
the world, homeless, upon tho next
day.
She went downstairs and softly
oTened the library door. Mr. Granger
looked up from his book.
"Well, Miss Nelsont"
II have decided, Mr.. Granger.
About Lamington? Well, how,
may | ask?"
81 shall not marry him.
Mr. Granger sat quietly looking at
the anthracite in the CRATE.
"Are you sure you comprehend the
advantages Of his offer?" he said at
last.
81 am sure TINT I do not love him.
l DO not need to know any more"
There was silence.
"Mr. Granger?"
"Well?"
81 find il desirable to change my
position. My quarter is finished to-
morrow, and | shall be obliged TO
leave you then"
lie bowed; she spoke in tone
which required no more. Then she
turned to the door She had opened
itwheu she heard her name pronounced
as she had never heard it pronounced
before.
Theodore"
She looked back.
"Will you come here?" Mr.. Granger
said, putting out his hand.
Unconsciously she went TO him.
He took her hands aud drew her
down 20 little footstool at his side.
"Theodora, he said softly, will
you not stay here as my wife?"
"Do you love me?" simply.
$50 help me, God, as | never loved
before in my life.
The blessed wordsl She clung tc
him with little cry
"Do you know how happy l am,
he said. "Do you know what you
have done for me? will not talk oI
the past, Theodora-it is not "a pleas
ing subject, but for SO long l hav,
needed an assurrancel My swee
child, how many times | have wishe,
that you loved me; my life has beer
so bitter and so barren. | had dream,
sometimes, but I would not yield (,
them. Why should you love me,
gloomy, middled-aged man. Yet yor
were such a comfort Then this of
fer of Lamington's came. | made tn
decision that If you did not love him
and withstood the advantage of hi
offer, that ] should know your hear
to be more true than any heart eve
before found in my life. Then
would win you if / could. All, m.
| darling. your frank eyes BETRAYED yol