The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-06-03
A MANS LOVE.

On the piazza of quaint old mansion,
a young man stood atching the sun set
He was little over the medium height
with dark complexion, black hair, a
broad, thoughtful forehead, clear in,
faultering eyes, and a firm, yet sensitive
mouth.
Mr.. Guy Fairfax was a young lawyer,
and a rising man.
He had come to Fairview, as the estate
was called, on a visit, and was now
thinking oflcaving.
fnt, though he had been there several
weeks the main purpose of his visit was
not accomplished.
He had come with the intention of ask
ing the hand OF Margaret Gregory, the
fair niece of the master of the house.
He had loved Margaret from his child.
hood but until now had never dared to
speak of love to her.
Soon the lady herself appeared.
She was gloriously beautiful, and a
man might we'll lose heart, reason, and
verything else in her presence.
She approached Mr., Fairfax, and laid
her hand OF his shoulder.
He started, and turned abruptly, but
recognizing her, bowed politely.
II have come to keep you company"
she said.
"You are very welcome" he replied,
with smile. ~ intended to ask YOU to
walk with me, but it is so lowering and
gloomy that am afraid it would be i'm
prudent to venture away from the house,
SO stopped here to watch this sunset
scene"
"And evidently were deeply wrapped
in thought" she said, ''for you did not
hear me as approached. Do l disturb
your meditations?"
"Notin the least. Iamglad you came. "
II came to ask your advice about
something she began, hesitatingly.
My stock of wisdom and experience is
not very large, said Fairfax, with a
smile; "but such as it is, place it freely
at your disposal"
at is very important matter" she
went on. you know have no brother,
no male relative, but my uncle, who
could supply his place, and he is power
less to help ME now. ask that you will
deal with ME in this matter as if were
your sister"
81 have always tried to study your
happiness, and will not now be less
your friend" said Fairfax, in surprise.
"Do you know William Grayson"
Every WE'LL" replied Fairfax.
"What do you think of him."
81 both admire and esteem him great
! w."
as that your CO ndid opinion"
at is. But why do you ask these
qucstions?"
Because l have promised William
Grayson to be his wife. A woman can
not always rightly Judge of mans
character by what she herself knows OF
him, and often needs the opinion of some
third party in whom she has confidence. -
AS she spoke she kept her eyes on the
ground and did not see Fairfax face,
1t grew rigidly white, and an expires
sion of intense pain settled around the
mouth,
In few moments he had mastered
himself and, outwardIy, was calm and
composed.
But Il tempest was raging within.
He had lost everything, and his hopes
lay crushed and shattered.
lie was so completely bewildered by
the suddenness of the blow. that he was
scarcely capable of thinking.
lie only knew that he had lost n love
that he valued far beyond all things else
Gradually, however, as the magnitude
of his loss began to face Kim, it required
all his fortitude to enable him to conquer
the fierce anguish that was tearing his
heart.
He did control it, though, and, almost
broken-hearted, walked calmly by the
side of his companion.
"And now, knowing this" continued
Miss Gregory, do you think may safely
trust my happiness to his keeping"
A cruel temptation presented itself tc
Fairfax.
He had i'll his power to injure, perhaps
fatally, the cause of his successful rival.
A word or hint, judiciously used, NIGH
irretrievably damage it.
For moment he hesitated.