The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-05-31

would be almost a PROCLAMATION to judge
the touching petition just addressed to
him, by the criterion OF his worldly
doubts and his worldly wisdom. His
eye fell on the Bible still open beneath
it: he remembered the little child who
was set in the midst of the disciples as
teacher and example to all; and when
at length he spoke in answer to his
daughter, it was not to direct or advise,
but to comfort and comply.
They delayed her removal for few
days, to see if she faltered in her reso-
| luton, if her bodily weakness increased,
but she never wayered; nothing in her
appearance changed, either for better
or for worse A week after the start
ling scene at the dinner table she was
| living in the strictest retirement IN the
house Of her aunt
About the perioI Aer departure /.
letter was received from Mr.. S!reatfeld.
Ii was little more than recapitulation
of what he had already said to Mr.
Langley-expressed, however, on this
occasion, in stronger, and at the same
time more respectful terms. The letter
was answered briefly: he was informed
that nothing had, as yet, been deter
mined on, but that the next eommuni-
cation would bring him a final reply.
Two months passed. During that
time Jane was frequently visited at her
aunt's house, by her father and mother.
She still remained calm and resolved,
still looked pale and thoughtful, as at
first. Doctors were consulted: they
talked of shock to the nervous system;
of great hope from time and their pa
TENTS strength of mind; and of the ne
cessity of acceding to her wishes IN all
things Then the advice Of the aunt
was sought. She was woman OF an
eccentric, masculine character, who
had herself experienced love-disap-
pointment in early life. and had never
married. She gave her opinion unre-
servedly and abruptly, as she always
gave it. "Do as Jane tells you~ said
the old lady, severely; that poor child
has more moral courage and determi-
nation than all the rest of you put to-
gether! | know better than anybody
what a sacrifice she has had to make;
| but she has made if and made it nobly
like heroine, as some people would
say; like a good, high-minded, coura-
geous girl, as sayi Do as she tells you,
Let that poor, selfish fool of a man have
his way, and marry her sister-he has
made one mistake already about face
see if he doesn't find out some day
that he has made another about wife ;
Let him Jane is too good for him or
for any man! Leave her 10 me: let
her stop here-she shan't lose by what
has happened! You know this place
is mine-T mean it to be hers when Pm
dead You know Eve got some money
Il shall leave it to her. Pve made my
will; it's all done and settled Go back
home: send for the man and tell Clara
TO marry him without any more fuss
You wanted my oplnion-there it is fog
youn'
At last Mr.. Langley decided. The
important letter was written which re-
called Mr. Streaifieid to Langley Hall.
AS Jane had fofeseen, Clara at first re-
/ fused 10 hold any communication with
him; but letter from her sister, and
the remonstrance of her father, snon
, changed her resolution. There was
nothing common between the twin
sisters but their personal appearance
, Clara had been guided all her life by
| the opinions of others, and was guided
by them now.
Once permitted the opportunity of
pleading his cause, Mr.. Streatfield did
! not neglect his own interests. II would
: be little to our purpose to describe the
/ doubts and difficulties which delayed
: at first the progress of his second court
: ship-pursued as it was under circum-
$ stances, not only extraordinary, but IN
f precedented 1t is no longer with him
f or with Clara Langley that the interest
r of our story is connected. Suffice it to
| say that he ultimately oveFcame all the
Young lady's scruples and that in a
! few months afterwards some of Mr.
: Langley's intimate friends found them
selves assembled around his table as
wedding-guests, and congratulatins
Mr.. Streatfield on his approaching
y union with Clara, as they had already
A congratulated him, scarcely a yea
r back, on his approaching union with
t Jane!
/: The social ceremonies of the wedding
5 were performed soberly-almost sadly
v Some of the guests Especially the un
Il married ladies) thought that Miss Clari
+ had allowed herself to be won to-
II easily-others were. .picturing TO Item
y selves the situation of the poor girl VIII
/ was absent and contributed little to
d wards the gaiety of the party. On thi
g occasion, however, nothing appeared I
o interrupt the proceedings; the marrlagl
It took place, and Immediately after
q Mr.. Streatfeld and his bride started 70
# tour on the Continent.
d On their departure Jane Langley re
n tnrned home. She made no reference
" whatever to her sisters marriage, an
e no one mentioned it in her presence
# Still the bloom did not return to he
e cheek, nor the old gaiety to her mannel
h The shock that she had suffered haI
h left its traces on her for life. But ther
d was no evidence that she was sinkini
n under the membranes which neithe
1 kn