Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-04-25
Sunny Bank Farm
FLOYD LIVINGSTON


niant now. would bloom again, for he
could bring II back to life. and must
be his: he could not live without me. I
need not decide then, that night" he
said. "he would give me time" and again
nc pressed for my answer, which was
the same rs before; for, much as piticd
him, there was between us a dark shad-
ow, and the substance Of that shadow
bore the form and features Of Richard
Delnfield.
Sinking into a chair, he laid his head
upon the table. while. burying my face
In the cushions Of the sofa. wept Bit
tcrly, stealing occasional chances toward
the bowed form which, In its despair,
gave no sign Of life. There was no act
Ing there, for It was the grief Of a strong
man which I saw. I cried. mentally,
Ought thus to deal with him? loved
him once. perhaps l could do 20 again.
would at least try" And, rising up,
glided noiselessly to his side. I laid my
hand upon his shoulder. I whispered in
his ear: Look up. I have something to
tell YOU" He raised his head, disclos-
Ing to my view face over which years
seemed to have passed since last had
looked upon It.
II will try" said. "but give me one
day for reflection, and tomorrow night
you shall have your answer"
l bade him goodnight and sought the
solitude of my room, where my resolution
almost instantly gave way, for the shad-
0w was there, and In Its presence I felt
would rather die than wed a man did
not love. fell into disturbed sleep,
from which did not wake until the hell
was ringing for breakfast. met him
at the table, and my heart beat fast
when saw how anxiously he scanned
my haggard face.
you are sick this morning." he said,
when at last we were alone.
Taking my hand, he felt my Quickened
pulse. and continued, "This must not be.
Calm yourself down, for I would not
wish you to answer me under ali this
excitement"
Soon after this he left me, going down
to the hotel where he had first stopped
on his arrival. As soon 40 he was gone
l sought an interview with Mrs. Ian.
sing, to whom I conHded the whole story
Of my former love for DR.. Clayton, and
Of my feelings now, asking her to tell
me AZ friend what I should do. I did
not dare look her In the face while I was
talking, and when had finished wait
ed with downcast eyes for her answer,
which was characteristic of the woman
who had never known what love was,
save as she felt It for her children.
DO! Why, marry him, Of course.
should not hesitate a moment, for It's
not every girl In your circumstances aho
has an offer like that. He seems to DO
a perfect gentleman-ls certainly very
fine looking. Is refined, polished, highly
educated. and has a good profession.
What more can you desire?"
"LOve for him." I replied; and rho
continued: "Pshaw! That will come roon
enough, depend upon 1t. There are many
happy marriages where one Of the parties
had ut first no particular affection for
the other. AZ I myself can testify.
respected Mr.. Lansing when I married
him, but I did not love him, and our
union was. I am confident, far happier
than thrce-fourths Of those where love
IL the ruling motive, for In nine cases cut
Of ten they grow sick Of each other as
faults and peculiarities are brought to
light, Of whose existence they had never
dreamed. Take your own case for an
example. Suppose you had married DIR.
Clayton when you fancied him 80 much,
you wonld undoubtedly have been dis.
gusted with him by this time, whereas,
now that you know he 10 fallible, you
can safely link your destiny with his,
you once had for him will return"
knew there was some truth In this
argument, hut It failed to convince me.
4 otl.,,,N
startled me with. "You do not Of course
love anOtherT'
was taken by surprise, and without
a thought Of the result, ! answered, II
do"
"And that othery she continued, fix.
Ing her eyes upon me.
! know not what possessed me, but a
power l could not resist impelled me to
answer, lis your brother"
She did not send me from her pres
ence with scorn and loathing a. I
thought she would. Nay. she did not
even speak. but for time stood mute
with astonishment. As think Of that
scene, understood her better, and
know that the truth, just a. Il was,
dawned upon her mind, and suggested
the falschood which she uttered.
Coming closely to me. she said. II can.
not see why It 10 that all my governcsses
have fallen In love with my brother; yet
such 10 the case. I did think, Miss Lee,
that you were an exception, but I find
I am mistaken, which surprises me
greatly, inasmuch AZ he has never paid
you the slightest attention, and even II
no had. ] do not understand how you
could think him In earnest. For years
the world has looked upon his union with
Ada AZ sure, and though for certain rea.
sons ! have sometimes opposed II, I am
anxious for 1t now, and It IL well that
am, for ! suppose 1t IL settled thing"
held my breath for fear I should
lose a single word Of what she should
say next. Perhaps she was unused to
falsehOods. BE that as 1t may, her voice
trembled slightly aud she spoke hurled.
ly as she said. "They are engaged, and
they will probably be married next au.
tumn; hence you see that the love you
have presumed to feel for him would be
useless, even were you his equal.
trust that what ! have told you will be
kept secret, for Richard does not wish
to have the matter discussed"
nodded assent, and the next moment
was alone with my sorrow, which was
far easier to bear now that uncertainty
was made sure. So lona ~ there remain
ell a lingering hope that my love for Mr..
Nj. a.Il I... nj BAL