The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-23

ICQNTINDE1l

EcoyTNUED.l
Aha, yes!!" said the duke, biting
his lip. for in his own mind he had
the frankness to acknowledge that
he was aboat as needy of virtue as
VAS the count. sButt," /" he resumed,
with a faint smile, ayou never loved
the man %
No, SIR the maiden answered,
gazing up into her guardians face,
NTH an inquisitiye look.
SO I thought, 50 I thought. As
Olga thus spoke he smiled again and
moved his chair nearer to Rosallnd.
q am well aware he resumed,
ssahat your affections have not as
ret been set upon any one who is
capable Of making a proper COM
pan;on for you through all the ups
and downs of life. "
Rosalindss eyes drooped beneath
the STEADY gaze Of the speaker, and
her frame trembsed.s But ere she
could make any reply the duke went
on:
NV dear Rosalind, I have come
nov upon a business which I may
Justly call the most important OF
slny life. have not approached this
snbiect LIGHTLY nor with oyerzeal,
hut have come to it through
careful consideration and anxious
study
Here the duke stopped and gazed
into Rosalind's face. She met his
gaze, and her eyes drooped again.
She trembled more than before, and
dim, dreadful fear worked its way
TO her mind.
sRosalInd, 2 the nobleman contln-
ned, when | was but 10 years OF
age, vas married with girl whom
z loved. She lived with me four
short. happy years. In that time
ne we're blessed with two children,
but they lived not long to cheer US.
And then my beautiful wife died.
and the world was all dark and drear
SO me. l thought should never
love again. Time passed on, and
you we're placed in my charge.
When you first cane, ! loved you,
and | Hondered if sou were to take
4he place of the children ! had lost
But you grew quickly up Your
mind was expanded, and your heart
was large. found that could not
make child of YOU, and then | sal
down all alone and asked myself;
what place it was you had assumed
in my heart. Can you guess the an
sWer, Rosalind :"
As a little child,'' answered the
maiden, trembling violently
No, no, sweet onel pondered,
and | studied. and | examined my
self carefully, and found that the
memory of my departed wife was
fast fading away before the rising
of another one just as pure and just
as holy. Now do you understands
No, 10. Oh, MOI" the maiden
uttered in frightened whisper.
aThen listen further" continued
the nobleman in low, earnest tone
and With strange fire in his deep
blue eyes. aAs your charms Of both
mind and person were gradually de-
-seloped | came to look upon you
with new feelings, or, should say,
sw7tI, the old feeling more fully de-
ssxeloped. / looked around me. /
.<aw my sumptuous palace without
Legitimate female head. In my par
lies I had no companion to assist
and guide me, and in my loneliness
q had no mate to cheer and enllyen
me. / wished not that such should
be the case. At length my eyes were
opened, and I saw plainly the spirit
that was moving upon my soul, |
looked upon you, and | knew that |
had fo. nd the woman who was to
give me JOY once more. Rosalind,
I love you truly, fondly, and I would
make YOU my wife. Now yoa Can
not fail to understand me, can you?'
Rosalind gazed up into the face
OF her guardian, and she was pale as
death.
S1ou do not mcan-oh.'
It was a deep, painful groan, and
the fair girl claspcd her hands to-
ward the man before her.
'.Hold,"' he said almost sternly.
81 am not trihing now. | am not
only serious. but firm in purpose.
When you were placed under M
charge, your father bade me do as l
would. and now I would make you
my wife. The Count Damonof was
TIE first who came for your hand,
and had he been proper man, and