Year: 1879

O., THURSDAY
things into consideration, he could not com.
prebend why it was thing impossible that
she should learn to love him, even though she
did not love him already. Looking at the
matter in this light, he went away from Mrs.
Stanton's by no means down-hearted, though
rather inclined to blame himself for having
been unwise in his precipitate mode Of action,
which had no doubt startled and distressed
her.


"She is such shy, shrinking little crea-
ture," he reflected; ''and am such stupid,
blundering sort Of fellow, always pitching
into the thick of u thing without stopping to
feel my way. Of course I frightened and
upset her; but when she comes to think calm.
ly over the matter she will regard it differ.
emily. She looks i'll, too; something must
have been preying upon her nerves lately. /
hope she isn't overworked; some women are
so thoughtless, and that little butterfly, Mrs.
Stanton, may be careless in laying her Own
burdens on other peoples shoulders. All, if
she would but give me the right to take care
of her, nothing should ever fatigue or worry
her again, that N, love could ward of--poor
little sensitive plant, too long buaeted by ad.
versity's cold blast!" ~


While he meditated thus, Rachel was Bit
terly lamenting the unfortunate chance which
had converted practical, reliable, trust
worthy friend into most inconvenient and
useless lover. For with this new relation
between them, she could never again enjoy
the same pleasant and unreserved intercourse
with him as formerly, or derive from bis
friendship the support which had made her
sad life easier to bear. It did not occur to
her to gfeve over his disappointment, for,
to tell the truth, that seemed a very small
item compared with the complication Of her
own troubles. The worst part Of it was,
that he did not appear to believe that she was
in earnest in her refusal; and the proba-
bility, therefore, existed that he would renew
his attempt, and oblige her to 60 all over the
difficulty again. She felt like creeping away
and hiding somewhere, so as to avoid meet
ing him, but chat she could not do without
leaving Drowsieyille altogether, and she
feared to run the risk Of abandoning this
safe retreat. At last it occurred to her,
as the easiest way of settling the matter, to
write him letter instead of encountering the
perplexity of another interview. And after
considerable reflection, and several fruitless
attempts at satisfactory composition she
achieved the following: 80.


"My dear Nh. Wade You have always
] been such kind and generous friend to me,
that hope you will grant the request am
now about to make. This is that you will not
again refer t. what happened when saw you
| 1fast or to the subject Of conversation
then. I beg and entreat Of you to believe me,
when say that il is entirely impossible for
me to yield to your wishes There are obsta'
cles in the way of my doing so which are in.
superable Ifthe knowledge that I can never
be more than friend to you-and 8, most sin.
cere and grateful one-pains you, am very
sorry for it, ard hope you will forgive; but
pray, pray do not urge me to change my de.
cision, for this cannot do. This much may
tell you, that great misfortune has darkened
my life, the influence of which must always
feel, though it is not through any wrong-doing
of my own. l have been more easy and
quiet in mind since I came here than l ever
expected to be again. All desire is to con:
tinue the tranquil life l now lead, and you,
trust, will he good and forbearing enough to
help me to do 80.


"Hoping that this will convince you Of my
sincerity, remain, dear Mr.. Wade, ever sin.
cerely yours, RACHEL Ray.


Rachel made one great mistake in the com.
position of this epistle She neglected to say
plainly, "I do not, and never can, return your
love-" The person to whom it was addressed,
quickly perceived the omission, and derived
therefrom too aattering conclusion. BE
did not doubt that this great misfortune to
which the writer referred, was some family
disgrace, which she fancied cast stain upon
her own name, though herself guiltless Of er'
ror some offence against Law or society, per-
haps even cloud upon her birth. But what
| did he care for such obstacles as these? II
he married her, his name and his protection
! would shield her from obloquy, and merge
her past existence into his. He had no fussy
relations to cavil at the unsuitability Of the
match, nobody's aristocratic proclivities to
offend but his sister Kate's. And hers, truth
to tell, were far weaker than he had always
imagined his own to be. Notwithstanding,
Rachels earnest entreaty, be resolved to sat-
isfy himself thoroughly in bis conclusions.
He was too eager to be generous, too anxious
to obtain the boon he coveted, to accept her
statement without, at least, one more trial.


He presented himself again at Mrs. Stan
toms, and Rachel, pale with dismay. was
forced to see him, since she felt it incumbent
upon her to destroy whatever expectations he
might still entertain. His heart almost smote
him for coming, when he saw her nervous,
frightened face, and felt how cold was the
hand that, for an instant, lay in his clasp.


"Rachel, know you think me wilfully re-
gardless of your request" he commenced,
gently, "but it seems to me that there is some
misunderstanding here, which may be cleared
up, and I felt that I must make the effort,
even at the risk of your displeasure."


81 do not wish there to be any misunder-
standing, Mr.. Wade" she replied. 81 meant
to tell you as explicitly as I could, that I