Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-07-02

pising whatever was underhand and
disloyal, had out one course to take
she must break on her engagement
with man so far below her standard
Of simple morality.
SO she looked anxiously at Annie
as she entered, and Annie would not
keep her in suspense. There was a
letter from Miss Moran last night"
she said. eShe loves George yet. She
re-wrote the unfortunate letter, and
this time it found it's owner. l think
he has il next his heart at this very
moment"
81 am glad Of that, Annie. But who
has the first letter?'
81 think you know, Mary"
you mean Mr.. Van Ariens?"
eyes"
Then there is no more to be said.
l shall write to him as soon as pos
sible."
Il am sorry"
mo, mol Be content, Annie. The
right must always come right. Meth
er you nor l could desire any other
end. even to our own love story"
But you must suffer"
mot much. None Of us weep IL we
lose what is Of no value. And have
noticed that the happiness of any one
is always conditioned by the unhappi-
ness of some one else. Your cousin
and Cornella will be happy, but there
are others that must suffer, that they
may be so. will go now, Annie, be-
cause until have written to Mr..
Van Ariens l shall not feel free. And
also, 1 do not wish him TO come here,
and in his last letter he spoke of
such an intention"
So the two letters--that of Hyde
to COrnelia, and that of Mary Damer
to Van Ariens, left England for
America in the same packet.
The tone of the Manor House was
now set to a key of the highest Joy
and expectation. Hyde unconsciously
struck the note, for he was happily
busy from morning to night about
affairs relating either to his marriage
or to his future as the head Of a
great household. All his old exigent,
extravagant liking for rich clothing
returned to him. He had constant
visits from his London tailor, who
brought with him a profusion of rich
cloth, silk and satin, and who firmly
believed that the tailor made the
man. There we're also endless inter-
views with the family lawyer. endless
readings of law papers, and endless
consultations about rights and sue
cessions, which Hyde was glad and
grateful to leave very much to his
fathers wisdom and generosity.
Some of the last days were occu-
pied in selecting jewels for Cornelia,
with webs of gold and silver tissues,
and Spitalfields silks so rich and
heavy, that no mortal woman might
hope to outwear them. To these An
ME added from her own store Of lace,
many very valuable pieces, and the
happy bridegroom was proud to see
that love was going to send him away
with both arms full for the beloved.
The best gift, however, came last,
and it was from the Earl. 1t was not
gold or land, though he gave gener-
ously of both these, but one which
Hyde felt made his way straight be.
fore him, and which he knew must
have cost his father much self-abne-
cation. 1t was the following letter
to DR.. John Moran:
my Dear Sir:
at seems then, that our dear
children love each other so well, that
it is beyond our right, even as par
ents, to forbid their marriage. / ask
from you, for my son, who is an hum.
BILE and ardent sutton for Miss Mo
rams hand, all the favor his sincere
devotion to her deserves. We have
both been young, we have both loved,
accept then his affection as some
atonement for any grievance or injus-
tice you remember against myself.
Had we known each other better, we
should doubtless have loved each
other better; but now that marriage
will make us kin, / offer you my hand,
with all 1t implies Of regret for the
past, and of respect for the future.
Your servant to command,
ORCHARD HYDE
1T is the greatest proof of my love
can give you, George" said the Earl,
when the letter had been read; "and
1t is Annie you must thank for it."
Have you noticed, father, how
small and fragile-loolling she Is? Can
she really be slowly dying?"
No, she is not dying; she Is only
going a little further awaya little
further away every hour. Some hour
she win be called, and she win an
swer, and we shall see her no more
here. But / do not can that dying,
and II It be dying, Annie VIII 80 as
calmly and simply as II she were full
filling some religious rite or duty.
She loves God, and she viii 90 to
Him
The next morning Hyde left his
fathers home forever Il was impos-
sible thar such parting should be
happy. No hopes, no dreams Of fu-
ture Joy, could make him forget the
wealth Of love he was leaving Nor