Year: 1874

At length Sydney arrived at the conclusion
that the present state of affairs could not,
with either comfort or propriety, be allowed
to last much longer; and wound himself up
to the resolution to put his fate in the bal
ance, and propose to Ellinor without further
delay.


The difficulty of arriving at the determlna-
tion seemed, in no way, equal to the dlthculty
of putting it into effect. Not but what ne
could find opportunities enough-his friend
Russell, made that easy for him now-but it
was so hard for him to persuade himself to
take advantage of them. He felt the strong
est reluctance to asking Ellinor to become his
wife. To the credit of his better nature, be it
said, that he revolted from the insincerity OF
the proceeding, the injustice he would DO her
in making her the offer in such spirit tie
did not love her, but he esteemed her, and
thought her worthy of a good mans love.
He wanted her money; yet he wanted it less
for himself than for Russell. The latter, since
his arrival, had made known to him certain
unpleasant facts relative to his affairs (not.
withstanding his express declaration that ne
would have nothing to say about them now
which made it apparent that money must be
forthcoming, from some quarter or other, at
no very distant day. 1t may seem strange
circumstance that Sydney should feel it in
cumbent upon him to minister to his friends
necessities, and supply his pecuniary deicien-
cies vet such was absolutely the case. Rus.
sell proved clearly to him that he was bound
to aid him in this emergency, and, unfortu-
natelv, he had so strong hold upon him,
that Sydney had no power to resist his de-
mands. Sundry transactions, with the details
whereof it is in nowise necessary to weary
the reader, or interrupt the course of this
narrative had at different times taken place,
which, if known to Sydney's family, would
have brought upon him the severest censure,
and even disgrace; the result of these it was
true, had been to benefit Russell, but gratitude
would never stand in the way of his bringing
them to light, should it suit his purposes to
do So And was he not, besides, in possession
of an important secret in the history Of Sgd
news life-his relations with the beautiful
English girl, whom he had so cruelty De-
trayed? Should this become known, his pros
poets would, in Il certain sense be ruined, and
he would forfeit the esteem Of all whose
opinion he valued; and though he might
Justly lay portion, and the heaviest portion,
of his fault at Russells door, how could he
avail himself of so paltry and unmanly an
excuse?


Russell assured him that, should his suit
with Ellinor prosper, he would give him no
trouble about the money he was anxious to
have, as he could easily make q temporary ar
rangement to satisfy the creditors, provided
there was certainty of obtaining future
supply. Without this certainty it was I'M
possible for him to wait.


One evening, instead of making up the us
ual riding party, it was settled that Sydney
should drive Elinor in the buggy to certain
farmhouse, where lived a notable dame with
whom she wished to make an arrangement
concerning the putting up of fruit for the COM
ing winter. Mrs. Barnes plums and grapes
were celebrated for their flavor, and their
owner was equally celebrated for her skill in
making sweetmeats and jelly of the same !;
and as she was poor and very worthy wo-
man, Ellinor, and several other ladies of the
neighborhood, always patronized this branch
of her art instead of attending to the preserv-
ing process themselves. The young lady in
advertently mentioned to her grandfather
her intention of going there on this particular
afternoon, and Sydney, who was present, i'm
mediately asked permission to accompany
her-a proposal not at all in accordance with
her wishes but which, as she could find no
reasonable excuse for declining it, she was
Obliged to accede to. Kate said she had
promised to show her mother a certain little
waterfall with picturesque effect, not very
far from the house, and Russell, not relshing
the idea of stroll in company with fat, prosy
Mrs. Roxbury-who by reason of her flesh
was slow walker, and by reason of her pro-
siness was at times little wearisome to her
auditors discovered that he had some
business with an acquaintance, whom he must
ride over to Greenvlle to see. The old Colo
mel benignantly dismissed them on their sew
eral errands, and then composed himself COM
fortably for an afternoon nap in the piazza,
with silk handkerchief over his head to pro-
tect the bald part from the flies, which were
troublesome at this season Of the year.


"Well, well!' he solloquized as he watched
Sydney and Elinor drive of, II wonder how
long those young ones are going to keep up
this curious game they are playing? | ex-
pected he would have tried his luck long ago
but she's keeping him off-she's keeping him
off, One thing is, can't interfere so | may
as we'll let matters take their course. If she
accepts him, 1 shall be rejoiced, and my heart
will be at ease concerning her future; if she
refuses him, dare say I'll be selfish enough
to be glad that's she's made up her mind to
devote herself to her old Grandy. As to the
rest, I'll leave it to Providence and be content"


Under different circumstances Ellinor would
have enjoyed her drive very much. The at
ternoon was charming one, the road in ex-
cellent order and Prince, her graud-father's
finest horse, in the best possible condition and
spirit. Sydney managed the reins easily and
we'll, and having worked himself up to the
resolution to make himself as agreeable as
possible, talked so pleasantly on various SUBJ
iects that Ellnor found herself liking him