The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1855-11-06

or worldly expectation; but TO all these she
returned q decisive answer, that she could
not act in opposition to the will Of her only
remaining parent, when all her life (but in
this nstance) she had received from him un-
mertcd kindness. In deep sorrow Mr.. In
glesby noted the rapid change in the once joy
Gus Cora. Day by day he saw her growing
more srd and unhappy and his pity deepen
ed as he marked the beautiful consistency of
her character, and entire want Of sel6shness.
The morning of her eighteenth birth day
rose clear and beautiful, and in compliance
with an urgent invitation to accompany Geo.
and Cora to l., was hastily preparing my
toilet when the latter burst open the door of
my dressing apartment and with cry of JOY,
seized my hand exclaiming, Amy,
am so happyw She then related to me
conversation between herself and father, in
which the latter asked her ifshe would never
smile on him again; to which she replied, "No
Father the light Of my life and youth is fled,
and can never smile again"
The Father seemed affected, and continued
"Cora, your heart is fixed on that youth; /
thought time would work cure. | was
mistaken; but you are a noble girl thus to
sacrifice your own happiness to the selfish de-
mands Of an injured parent. Marry Mr..
Wheatly when you please Cora, you have
my full consent, and you can apprise him Of
the change to-day you choose,
1t was while waiting for me chat morning,
that this album was discovered by Cora, it
having been presented to me the day previous
by my lover Of whose existence she was no
stranger With an overfowing heart she seiz-
ed the pen and wrote those lines which
caught your attention this morning.
1t was bright and lovely day in October
such an one as gives elasticity to the frame,
and imparts flow of good humor to the heart,
that we set forth on our short journey. The
sun shone brightly on every object; the roads
were never better, and but short time clap
sed ere we were approaching the Eagle Tavern
which stood about half way between the two
villages. When the carriage stopped, for
the first time observed feverish flush on the
check of Cora and her heart beat so violently
that she could with difficulty alight, but at
trbuting it to the excitement of the morning,
we silently entered the parlor to await refresh
ments While seated near window which
gave view of the street, Il party of riders
made their appearance and were rapidly fill
ing the reception room Cora caught my arm
cxclaiming suddenly, "Therc as live Il
Evander Wheatly, and Miss Mcrrick is with
himw / replied "that they were probably
going to o., in hopes of getting a iew of her
fair face" but as ! spoke deathly pallor
oyeHpread her countenancc, and an express
sion in which love, pride, and jealousy were
striving for the mastery. Laying my hand
gently upon her arm, begged her to remain
quiet and | would send the gentleman htbcr,
that she might escape the notice Of the curl
ous multitude. Not in the least coniecturing
who, was the individual desirous of seeing
him, he entered the room in which she sat,
but started back at the sight of her wan face,
for never could he have deemed it possible
that the sorrows Of the heart could have left
such an impress on the fair being before him.
Cora arose eagerly ana earnestly, joyfully ad
vanced to meet him. For a moment not
syllable was uttered, so deep and intense were
the emotions Of each; at length Cora, with
violent effort recovering herself and placing
her hand upon his arm, trcmblingly spoke
"Evander, my Father has become reconciled
to you, and has freely given his consent to
our union. Deeply have we suffered, butnow
we can be happy" The gentleman was inn
movable before her, gazing strangely fixedly
into her face; sho continued, why don't you
speak, Evandcr our past trials are crowned
with Joy, and OH isn't this the hour we have
so long craved when in agony of spirit we sat
down in the hopelessness of despair; Speak,
Evandcr, isn't this joyful hour?"
He started back, threw her from him ex-
claiming in husky uncarthly tone-''too
late, Oh God, too late! I'm married.
Words arc inadequate to describe the scene
which followed Cora was conveyed senseless
from the room, and Evander betrayed the
dreadful secret by his wild incoherent rawlings,
for the crowd were already around him with
amazement and CONSERVATION depicted on
their faces. The once blooming Miss Merrick
(now his pale sorrowing bridc) approached to
offer consolation but he rudely thrust her
from him, declaring that she stood between
him and happiness. He was Immediately
taken back to l., and seized with brain fe-
vor, where for several weeks he hovered near
the verge of the grave Cora was unable to
be removed, and a messenger was immediate
" dispatched for her father. All night she
lay insensiblc and her father bending over her
couch, suffered as those only who are about
TO sec favoritc child snatched from them for
ever. "Oh, could he only recall his own cruel
words in the past, he would give all, every
thing he possessed, of wealth. Now for the
first time he realized that his iGolized daugh-
ter must die. Physicians said she was beyond
the reach of human aid :; the stroke had been
too severe for her already enfeebled frame =
the strings of her heart were fibrous and must
break.
The first grey streak of morning was in the |
cast ere she showed signs of consciousness she |
lay placidly still, sometimes smiling family,
and sometimes gricving gently, for she seem
ed young to tread the valley Of the shadow
of death. Her glances was upward and the
light on which she gazcd, shed its divine ra-
dance into the innemost recess Of her spirit,
filling il with calm peace and holy joy. She
took my hand and whispered faintly.-"Amy
twas cruel strokc--but his will be done.n-
| was sinful in worshiping god of flesh.