The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-02-16

1t was the crisis of her life. Alone ir
| 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.
I And his words had shown her the gulf
between them. However kindly his gen
teTcss met hers, they were socially at a
distance. She never thought of such
things, but she knew that Mr.. Granger
did; that he valued his patrican blood
patrician in the highest sense of the
word. 1t was blood kept pure from a
faint of vice through dozen generations.
\ hot flush came to Theodora's checks as
she thought of her father. No; her IN
cestors were not her benefactors, and
Mr.. Granger would not marry his gov
erness even if he loved her.
The fine, grave, dark face came up be-
fore her. She dropped her face upon her
arm, murmuring:
Il would die for him-ah, l 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.. Lamngton?"
Night came and pressed a heavy black
ness against the windows. The fire died
down. Theodore arose, shivering. Two
hours had passed.
81 have decided" she said.
4 certain lightncss was upon her.
though she had decided to go out into
the world, hOT?clcss, upon the next day.
She went down stairs and softly open
ed the library door. Mr.. Granger looked
up from his book
"Well, Miss Nclson?"
81 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 that you comprehend the
advantages Of his offer?" he said at last.
II am sure that do not love him.
do not need to know any more"
There was a silence.
"AIr. Granger?"
"Well?"
81 find it desirable to change my posi-
ton. My quarter is finished tomorrow,
and shall be obliged to leave you then"
He bowed. She spoke in n 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 here?" Mr.. Granger
said. putting out his hand.
IIncOnSeiOuSly Sha went f0 him He
took her hands and drew her down to a
little footstool at his side.
"Theodora," he said softly, Twill you
not stay here as my wife,"
"Do you love me?' simply.
$50 help me, God, as l never loved be-
fore in my life!"
The blessed words. She chung to him
with little cry.
do you know how happy | amp he
said. do you know what you have done
for me? l will not talk of the past, The
odora. 1t is not a pleasing subject. but
for so long | have needed an assurance
My sweet child. how many times | have
wished that you loved me! My life has
been so bitter and so barren. l had
dreams sometimes, but would not yield
to them. Why should you love me, a
gloomy, middle aged man? Yet you were
such comfort! Then this offer of Lam
ington's came. made the decision that
if you did not love him and withstood the
advantage of his offer that SHOULD know
your heart to be more true than any
heart | ever before found in my life.
Then | would win you if | could. All.
my darling. your frank eyes betrayed
you tonight when you made your voice
SO cold! You love me as l love you, my
gift of God"
The crisis of her life was passed, and
she was at rest.-Chicago Herald.