Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 December 1894 — HER SOLEMN PROMISE. [ARTICLE]

HER SOLEMN PROMISE.

'New Orleans Times Democrat. , „ “Thirty years,” she said —“Why, it’s more than a generation, half a lifetime. It seems impossible.” Trainor struck his own 6east a cut tishly: ' “Yes, thirty years. It seems that you are much more interested in * those dead soldiers than you are in me. I asked you a question and you don’t deign to reply.” “Well,” she smiled, “didn’t we come down to see the bld battlefield? That was the year vou were born, “- wasn’t it, Carroll?- Ob, pardon me. you did ask me something. But I 'was distracted by these surroundings.” - And he was appeased. “If you could only care enough for me. Lila. If I could only feel that no one would step in and win away your heart. Yes, I’d go. I’d give up this wretched theatrical business and go down there to the mines. But I know what pressure would be brought to bear on you. The Admiral is getting old; he wants to see you married and settled and your fortune secured to you. O, Lila, I haven’t much heart.” •‘You haven’t?” she laughed saucily. “Dear me! One would think so from this stolen ride of ours. You are very sage, dear, about my uncle and aunt. But, nevertheless, there js more grit in me than you imagine. Drop the stage forever. Go to Mexico, and don't fear but I’ll be faithful till you return. Why, I’m barely eighteen. And I’ll go in for art to • fill the time. I’ll take oil painting; yes, I will—desperately, dear.” Trainor reached over and caught her hand. “A solemn promise, Lila; remember, a solemn promise. ” “A promise, solemn or otherwise,” 5 said the girl. “I keep all my promises.” When they parted, that afternoon, he had her promise, and he decided to return to Baltimore at once and make arrangements to go to Mexico, Lila Havens went on alone to the friends she was to visit at Sharpsburg. “We expected you this morning,” said her hostess. “Yes, dear, but you see I was unavoidably delayed. What a lovely day it has been.” “And there is a telegram for you, Lila.” “Really? Something aunt forgot to mention. I dare say. Excuse me.” She broke it open carelessly. “Dear me!’* She puckered her brow. “Only fancy! The Admiral is coming down here to-morrow.” The Admiral appeared on the Beene the day following. “My dear Lila,” he said, “I must have a little talk with you.” “Yes, uncle.”

said t

ises."

‘-Lila, my dear,” they were quite alone —“I have had a proposal : for your hand in marriage. If I had chosen the man I could not be better piness to see you the wife of Judge Mason.” “Uncle! He is more than twice iny age. I never dreamed of it.” “He is a young man, my dear, a Vigorous young man. He Will idolize you. You know he admired you.” “He is a widower.” “But his only daughter is married.” “O, uncle, it—it is out of the question." “My dear, you give me great cause for apprehension. It will disappoint me terribly if you do not accept him." “But, uncle, I am but eighteen. Why should I marry for five or six yqars yet? I'll never be young but once-Aiever,” she said, pathetically. “And I am not a penniless creature that requires a home. I might be allowed to pick and choose." “My dear.” The old man looked suddenly grave and pale. “There is bad news; you must make up your mind to meet it bravely.” Lila's face reflected some of the paleness of his own. “Uncle—my—my money? Have I lost it?" “There has been a terrible fianancial failure. I hardly know how to tell you. We only heard yesterday and we don’t know for sure yet. I am afraid —Lila—you must bear up— I am afraid you have lost nearly all you had." The girl leaned back in her chair. There was a stunned look in her face. She did not speak. The Admiral went on speaking more rapidly.

“I can hardly blame myself. It was an undreamed of thing. Of course there is a little real estate left you. Heaven knows I wish it had been all in houses. Judge Mason— ’’ “Oh!" the girl broke in suddenly, “he won’t want me now, when he knows I am penniless.” "My child, became as soon as he knew it.” Lila’s visit was ended almost as soon as begun. She went back at once with Admiral Blair. She went to her room and locked herself in. Then she wrote Carroll Trainor: “J am no longer rich. There is no use of an engagement. I have lost everything. Perhaps you will be rich some day, Carroll. If so, you must come and find me.” But she said nothing of Hon. Thomas Mason. j Trainor felt grieved at the tone of “ t6r letter. He wrote back reproachfully. She had made a promise. Perhaps she sought to be released Jrom ii If so. he would release her.

In her place he would hardly hare so written. But then he was only a mats. The girl’s soul sickened within her, A brief note from Trainor told her that he was just leaving for the gulf coast, where he would find a steamship for Vera Cruz. He thought he would never return to the United States. A great despair came over her. In her sensitive state she felt that he no longer cared Tor her; - She capitulated and consented to receive Judge Mason's addresses.

Three months had passed. The wedding was to take place the last week of June. Miss Havens was tq become Mrs. Thomas Mason, The wedding invitations were about to be sent out —the wedding day was fixed a fortnight hence. Miss Havens, out on a shopping er rand, turned a street corner sharply, and ran against some one. She looked up and turned pale. It was Carroll Trainor. ‘.‘You,” she said faintly. “You didn’t expect to see me? Li’a, for heaven s sake, is it true? You are going to marry Judge Mason?” She nodded with an effort. The idea of the marriage to which she had become reconciled, but never enthusiastically disposed, suddenly seemed sickening. Her whole soul revolted.

“Carroll!” she gasped. “O,Carroll! If there were any escape!” “Escape? What do you mean? Isn’t it your own choosing? Are you being forced into marrying that old widower?” “I—l—O, you seemed not to want me: And uncle and aunt seemed not to want me. Nobody seemed to want me—except Judge Mason. He was very kind —but I never have loved him. Carroll, if you had not deserted me!” —^l—deserted you! I've just returned from Mexico,” said Trainor, “and I’m going back there at once. I’ve got a splendid chance. It’s lonesome for a man to be by himself. The climate is like paradise.” -** * * * The Admiral and his good lady were at the breakfast table. His morning mail lay before him. He took up the top letter of all and gazed severely at it. The handwriting was Lila’s. The letter had been posted the night before. He opened it, read it in ailence. and passed it to his wife.

' ‘Do not send the invitations, ” it said, “for I shall not marry Judge Mason. He is a good man, and •will understand it was a mistake. I love some one else and have gone away to, marry him. We shall spend our honeymoon in a palm-thatched hut in Mexico.” Mrs. Blair could not speak. After a moment’s silence the Admiral observed: “On the whole, I’m glad the marriage is oft'. The Judge’s daughter was greatly opposed. She might have made things unpleasant after a bit." And still again: “She’s a plucky little creature, Lila if —God bless her!”