Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-03-20

IWI sat alone in his office, with n
dainty little perfnmed note be-
tween his fingers, and puzzled frown
upon his brow. The note, directed in
graceful and feminine hand, was
brief:
Dear Guardian: will he at the
office at 10 in the morning. to consult
you upon a matter of Importance.
"MILLIE."
"A matter of Importance" muttered
Mr. Wilkinson, twisting the note ner-
vously. Can my fears be true? Has
Cyril Ormsby proposed to my pearl
l am afraid he has, And what can |
say? What can l urge against the
man, II Miles own instincts have
played her false? Ten o'clock
The last silvery stroke Of the man
tel clock had not died away when the
door Of the office was opened by a
clerk and Mile Bently entered the
room.
Just a few words to describe the
ward Of whom Marcus Wilkinson al
ways thought as a pearl. a lily, every
thing pure and fair. She was Of me-
dunn height, slender and graceful,
with thoughtful face Of exquisite
beauty.
Very young. only 1S, Mile Bently
had borne early the SORROWS of life.
Her father having been wealthy, had
failed in business. and committed sui
eide. Her mother. delicate and help
less, had fought poverty feebly for two
years, and sinking under privation and
toll, had contracted fatal disease.
When all hope of life was over, the
news came that Miles uncle, dying
abroad, had left large fortune to his
only sister. A will was made by the
dying woman. leaving her own too
lately won independence to Mile, and
appointing Marcus Wilkinson qua rlian
to the heiress.
Sorrowing and womanly, beyond her
years, Mile had turned her own grief
to a noble endeavor to solace some OF
the trials Of those with whom her own
poverty had made her familiar. A cou-
sin had come at Mr.. Wikinson's re-
quest to make home for his ward.
and she resumed many long-interrupt-
ed studies. But large portion Of her
time was spent in the humble homes
OF those who had been her mothers
friends In the dark days Of her widow
hood; and her gentle charities soon ex-
tended far beyond this small circle
She had been an orphan two years
on the day when she came to seek Mr..
Wilkinson, as already described. and
the sorrows of her life had lost some
Of their bitter sting leaving only gen
tie sadness behind.
well. Millic." the old gentleman
said, what brings to me the pleasure
Of seeing you to-day"
1T is about myself" Mile said.
the softest rose tints flushing her
cheeks
Dear me. | didn't think you ever
took such an insignificant person into
considera ton al ALL"
Now, Uncle Mare, please don't
tease
"She wants something enormous"
, said the old gentleman. addressing the
walls. "Whenever am Uncle Marc, |
know what to expect next"
But just then the kindly man detect
ed signs Of trouble in Miles face: and
the jesting voice was turned at once
to one Of tender gravity.
what is it. my child"
cyril Ormsby came to me last even
Ing. and he will come here to day; but
wanted to see you first. He wants
me to be his wife, Uncle Mari. and
she hesitated here-''you do not like
him."
"WhO told you that?"
mo one; but see it for myself"
well, you are right. | do not like
him. But my like or dislike has no
control over you"
mo control. Miles voice was pit
eous. please don't talk 80. come
to you as l would have gone to my
IA Their"
! There. dear. l was wrong. Tell me.