Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-05-20

camille establishment in Havana, which he
thinks is abou, to fail, and he put me of by
saying that he wishes to send me ihther as
his agent, (for he is too old and infirm to
take such yoyage,) to bring the business
TO a close, aud if possible, TO proven, to-
tai failure. So now, dear Anna, there re-
mains but the alternative, either to be united
at once, and wait for time to cool our IA
Tiers anger, or ! must leave you and 90 TO
Havana, aud in that case Heaven only
knows when we shall meet again. My heart
pleads strongly for the first proposition, An
na, and await your decision
Charlton took Annals hand within his
own, aud while the tears were coursing rap
idly down her cheeks, the noble girl thus
replied Charlton, You know that love
you, and it is the very intensity Of that
love that prompts me TO decline your first
proposition
Oh, say not so, dear Anna exclaim-
ed Charlton. Hear me through coniin-
ued Anna, | have but little more to say.
Our parents are so much opposed TO our
union that | think it best to part for the
present, aud during your absence, will use
my influence with my father to bring about
an amicabe adjustment of all differences.
Whether we meet again in this world, or
only in that far happier one beyond the
skies, Anna Lakewood will wed none but
You. Aud now, dear Carlton farewell do
not despair, fer all will yet be we'll" With
out awaiting his reply, she turned and en-
tered the house, and sought her chamber, to
pour out her full heart IN prayer tn the Civ
er of oil Good, and to supplicate him TO
guard and protect her lover, and TO return
hlm IN saiet, to his friends aud his home.
a few days later, Anna learned that
Charlton had embarked for Havana. aud
thea she felt, OH how lonely aud sad. She
soon reused herself from tins dependency
aud tired to appear cheerful aud happy,
though her heart was ready TO break all the
while She knew that great deal depen-
ded upon her assumed cheerluness, If she
would bring about the desired reconcilia-
ton between old Mr.. Momtford aud her Ia
;her. Alier the departure Of Young Mont
ford for Havana, Mr. Lakewood perempto-
rlly forbade Anna to mention his name IN
his presence Still Anna was not dlscour-
aged. Size was determined to watch and
wait for Il iitng opportunity and, IN the
meantime, to try by geutleness aud atiec-
ton To subdue her fathers anger, aud thus
win him over to consent to their union.
About three months after Charlton Mont
ford sailed for Havana, Mr.. Lakewood was
taken suddenly i'll. His family physician
was at once called, who pronounced his
Sickness merely slight arrangement, and
said that IN few days he would be well a.
gain. week passed by and he was no
Ss,'e', N"t 'e,he' grew ~orse. Arou be
came alarmed at these serious Indications,
aud she watched over him day aud night =
She seemed like an angel lowering around
his sick bed. minsterlng to his every want
and as she watched his palid checks, and
listened to his means of pain her heart was
wrung with agony at the thought that her
father might never recover. 1t was dread
iul 10 think that he might die with malice
and hatred ranking ia his heart. On, if
he would only forgive and forget, thought
Anna, how happy | would be How can
he hope to die forgiven in another world,
when he is SO unrelenting IN this ? Not
long after, while Anna was sitting by her
fathers bedside reading the Bible aud ov-
er and anon casting mourniul glance at
her ilIher, who lay upon his sick couch
with hali-closed eyes, apparently in a ltiul
slumber, he slowly Enclosed his eyes, aud
looking around the room whispered her
name. She arose, and bending over him,
asked, IN a low voice, how he was. Bet
ter, my dear child, but oh ! never thought
myself so near dying in my life, aud |
know that 1t Is only through the care of an
a-mercliul Providence, aud your kind nur-
sing, that am still alive. What book
were you reading, Anna ?
The Bible she replied, may read
chapter TO you ? lie assented, and An
ma opened IT at the sixth chapter of St.
Luke. What chapter for child to read
to an uniorglving, unrelentlng parentl-
Anna read until she came to the sublime
passage
Be ye therefore mercifil, as your Fa-
Their is also merciiul Judge not, aud you
shall not be judged condemn not, and We
shall mot be condemned forgive, and We
shall be forgiven She could not proceed
any farther, but burying her face in her
hands she burst into tears. How could her
father Withstand so touching an appeal, for
well lie knew the cause of her grief The
solemn words which she had Just read to
him entered his very soul, aud told him
that he had wronged that swee, and gentle
being, his only child, Then, reaching
forth his arms, he drew her to his bosom,
and Cor a few moments they mingled their
tears ia silence. The father was the first
to speak. Anna, my dear child, know
that in the selfishuess 81 my pride, ! have
caused you great trouble. Anna, will you
be guided by those holy precepls which YOU
have Just read to me, aud are you willing
TO forgive and forget the past wickedness
of your father
Father, dear father, replied the weep
ing girl, as she twIned her arms about her
fathers neck, aud pressed her lips to his
[ leyered brow, have nothing to forgive
only love me as you once did, aud shall
be happy My dear child whispered the
father, / love you as do my own soul.
1t was only enmlly 10 others and love Of
wealth that made me forget my duty to
you. Let the past be forgotten, and in fu-
ture will do all can to ensure your hap
pness lie paused for a moment, then
recovering himself he continued. You
love Charlton Montford, Anna, aud he de-
serves your love. He is endowed by nature
with many noble qualities. and is in all re-
spects gentleman. The i'll will l bore
his father alone made me refuse to listen to