Year: 1879

81 never answer demands; you"


"Do not be offered, Annie. 1t was
wrong for me to speak In such a man
ner. But please tell me If you love
me ?"


"Can't you answer that yourself Z"


81 might not answer correctly.-FOr
the third time / ask you, Annie, do you
love me ?"


He was now straining her to his side
and his eyes were bent searchingly on
her face. She felt preyarlcation to be-
useless as she slowly answered 81 can
net tell you falsehood, Ethel, you are
deaTer 10 me than my own life.'


"Will you be my wife, Annie: cam
not offer you my lcye, but offer you my
name and protection; and ! promise you
the storms of life shall not fall heavily
upon your head if canward them off.
As told you before, cannot love you
as think should love my wife; and |
esteem you very highly, and know
you will be a true and faithful compan-
ion: | think we can be happy to-
gether."


Her heart gave great bound, then
seemed to stand still as If she would
sufiocate. Here was all Of earthly hap
piness that she ever expected to enjoy
aid temptingly within her reach; she
had only TO speak and it was hers. But
would he be happy ? Might not years
of devotion and tenderness win his love
to her


"Ethel, you are good and noble to
make such an offer; and to be your
wife, and minister to you, and comfort
you, and bask in the sunshine of your
smile would make earth heaven to me,
but | cannot accept it. One of us must
suffer, and it is better that I should.
Your life is all unclOuded, your path
way strewm with flowers, while my
feet are often bruised and pierced with
treading on thOrns, and my sunlight
often obscured. | am enured to heart
pain, and am strongest to bear it. Take
back what you have said, Ethel. lean
not be your wife. A loveless union
would render your life miserable, and
/ cannot consent to anything which
will cause you to suffer"


"Is this your final decision, Miss
Grey ?"


Il am sorry that it is"


"Iti is well: but perhaps you had bet
ter take time for consideration before
you positively decline"


These words were uttered in freez-
ing tone, which showed plainly
he was displeased. He had put her
from him, and now stood before her.


81 cannot decide otherwise; but
Ethel, do not be angry. Thinkyou not
it is hard enough to put you away out
of my life, and with you all of earthly
happiness that can ever be mine-tO live
in the same world with you, yet never
look on your face, never hear your voice,
without having to bear the weight of
your displeasure, TOO ~


"Hapriness, lifelong happiness, is at
your command if being my wife will
bring it to you, but doubt if you are
depriying yourself of an earthly para
disc after all. guess fairer prospect
lies behind this refusal"


He knew he was wronging her, but
her rejection of his suit wounded his
pride because it was unlocked for, and |
because, man-like, he imagined he was
doing magnanimous thing. 1t had
cost him a struggle to do as he had done,
but he pitied her and thought 1t was
his duty, for he knew that in frequent
ing her society as he had done, he had |
encouraged her in believing that he
cared for her. And so certain was he
of success that he only had pictured to
himself her grateful, perhaps eager, ac-
ceptance of his offer. But when he |
saw the Look of agony that crossed her
face at hfs cruel words, he grieved that |
he had uttered them.


"Oh," he exclaimed, clasping her
hands and turning her white face to-
wards him, "urge me no more. You
will bless me some day for saving you,
and do not leave me in anger"


He regarded her few minutes in ST.
lence, then extending his hand he said |
said kindly, Goodbye, Annie, l am
sorry have panied you; you must for
get this" and was gone.


She laid her face upon the desk, and |
IL bitter anguish prayed that she might
die; but death comes not when we most
desire it. How long she wrestlcd there
for strength to bear her burden she
knew not, but when she emerged from
her struggle daylight was dying, and
the birds were singing their vesper
hymns.