Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-11-12
81 shsll never manvi'

Il shsIl never marry"
Then yO1 are not uh,liv indiacrent 10 nss.
Oh! though doomed 10 par, hoid out some hops
AT least tell NE thai yoo Sii somehs,ss Ihink
Of me-"
"lOu are ungensrOgs," ssid Ashes, in an
agiiaisd voice. Again ! repeat. il IS useless ~
speak Of inspOSsiJiIities fate has pat union BE-
tween Us out Of Ihe question"
Cod, unleelug creajure!' exc'simed LEM
noX, turning away. Bot immediately g. con-
ir0uied her again. agnes, know not what
say. You drive me 10 madness. But see
here Is some strange mystery hrre. Is II uus
'aai you have been engaged 10 Beaufort from
chIdhoodi DO they mean TO force YOU 10 mar
= him against Your VillF"
"Mr Lennox," said Agnes rising with digni-
", "ihese are questions you should not ask nor
answer. II you knew my father better YOU
would know ne would compel me TO marry no
man did not love. have told you that should
never marry. The reasons for that resolution,
which is unalteube, are sacred. respect YOU
Il would have had you for a friend-but YOU
will not consent"
Her words Gained Lennox al once. In her
hands his impeIuous nature become as wax to be
moulded al her will. lie looked down abashed.
"Forgve me again." he said, "snd will obey
your wishes. | will be your slave. Yes! will
accept the place Of your frend-l will be o Sc
cond brother to you, guarding you from danger
and ever praying for your happiness, even
though" and here his voice become sad "even
though on the ruins Of my own.'
And accept the offer, snd will be sister to
you Nor think not" she said. in an accent Of
inexpressible melancholy, ''IhaI ! need no sym.
psthy, it is no, always that u smiling face covers
d happy heart"
And are you then miserablel | have often
suspected it, Oh! ii you would tell the cuuse,"
said Lennox eagerly.
THAT cannot be, said Agnes quickly, and in
some embarrassment. for Steps were heard ap.
preaching. There, arewell--we are about 10
b. in,errupled--itis Beaufort's step hear"
She opened the door in agitation and almost
pushed Lennox out.
He went to his room. scarcely knowing what
10 think. He was more deeply 10 love than eyer,
but Just as uncertain as before Of the sentiments
OF Agnes. NhaI mystery was this connecting
her with Beaufort, for in that lay the cause Of
secret sorrow! Yet she did not love her cousin,
that al least the interview had revealed. Stiil
she was thrown into agitation al the idea of be-
ing found by him tets-a-teis with Lennox. The
more our hero thought Of The subject, the deeper
grew his perplexty.
But gradually order arose out Of the chaos of
his thoughts. Taking the words and actions Of
Agnes together Lennox INDUCED the hope that
he was beloved, but that some powerful cause
compelled his mistress TO reject his suit al pre-
sent. lflwas difference in political opinions
he trusted time would remove the obstacle. Yet
he would have given much if he parted from Ag-
ues with some positive assurance Of love on her
side.
When he went to the table he noticed that the
eyes Of Agnes looked red, as if shs had b. en-
weeping. tie was sad himself in spite of the
hopes with which he had been fattcring him
self. and his voice betrayed this. Nor was Ag.
nes more gay. She seemed TO be striving to a.:
sumo par, when she spoke in her former lively
tones, and Lennox thought he detected in her
voice, when she addressed him. scarcely per-
ceptib.e tremor, which, however made his heart
beat quick.
81 am very sorry to hear Of your early depsr.
ture,' said Mr.. Courenay, addressing our hero
toward the close ofthe repast. is ii imperative
that you should leave us!'
Lennox assured him that it was, on which
the company generally Joined in expressions Of
regret. One ofthem added,
But fear all Of US must speedily initiate the
example of Lennox. The times grow slormier,
and the war threatens 10 invade our calm colo.
ny. We cannot much longer remain idle, bul
must take par like men othonor. in The strife. =
/ There spoke true man." said the host
"And, gentlemen, before we seperate. have
toast 10 propose. Fill yourgasses. The ladies',
too. will Join US in this, hope. The King!
God bless him, and may he speedily put down
this foul rebeon' bumper, sirs."
Agnes looked hurredly and nervously at Len.
nox as these words we're pronounced, and her
glass trembIed in her hand so a, TO spill some of
its wine. She saw Lenuox color, but he did not
fill his glass.
You do not drnk!' said Beaufort in real or
else admirably affected surprise, calling, by The
direction of his eyes, the attention Of the COM
pany on Lennox.
81 am very sorry, sir" said our hero. turning
respectfully 10 his host, "to refuse any toast Civ.
en- at your table; but cannot drink this one, for
my sympathies are all with the other sids."
MIR. Courtenay put down his glass in amaze
ment. One or Two of the younger guests half
started up, and darted angry gIanceS at Lennox.
Mr.. Courtenay, howeve was the frstto break
The silence. 1t was manifest that he waited TO
control himself, before he replied TO a refusal,
which, in that day, was often regarded as an in
sult and sometimes led TO fatal dueIs.
81 am panied to hear such on opinion from
you, Mr.. Lennox,' he said. The name of
. Lennox has ever been loyal one. Lennox
fought by the side of Courtonay on the bloody
r field of Naseby. 1t was Lennox that raised
the royal standard almost unaded during the foul
. usurpation of Cromwell. If here in Virginia,
there is lack of loyalty, where shall we look
5 for it! would as soon desert my banner when
the battle went thckest against it, as turn traitor
to my king in this extremity"