Gratia's Trials — page 218: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

GRATIA’S TRIALS. 209 never saw any one grow and change so in so short a time ; and she has certainly been a great blessing to us all during this fever; but I did hope, Hugo, that you would admire Miss Melworth.” , “So I do,” her son answered, smiling brightly, ‘‘and all the -more because she was kind to Gratia. But I never could love her, even if my heart were not already given to another.” Alberta was genuinely angry, but her indignation was of no avail. Gratia Kempfield was unmistakably queen of the situa- tion—engaged to be married to her brother, and the darling of little Ida's affectionate heaft. Alicia Melworth, who had just returned to New York, after a lengthened tour through the United States, came at once to congratulate them. ‘‘T always knew you must have a story, you dark-eyed little wild flower,” she said, ‘‘ because you looked exactly like the heroine ef a novel. But why didn’t you take me into your confidence? However, I'll forgive you if you'll have a splendid wedding before I go away, with six bride-maids, of whom I am to be the chiefest.” ‘©T would rather be married quietly,” pleaded Gratia. ‘¢But you see you can’t be,” nodded Alicia, with all her old gracious willfulness. ‘‘Alberta and I| shall manage that for ourselves. ” | ‘‘Tt is not yet three months since poor Robert died,” said Gratia, resolutely. ‘‘If I am to be married at all, I shall wait until the year is up.” ‘¢ And then I shall not be here,” said Alicia. ‘‘Oh, Gratia, can you not persuade Colonel Falconer to let you be married from Melworth Hall? There is no one who loves you half as well as I do, and it would be so charming.” But Gratia persisted in her own way this time, and Alicia was forced to abandon the cause. ‘Well, then, if Iam not to be here at the eventful cere- mony,” said she, ‘‘I shall give you my present now, Gratia— comicbooks:.co m