The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-01
WASHINGTON, D.. c, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY L. 1855

his first words-she did not, at once, compre-
bend his aim but when she heard him couple
her name with Alfred Testers, in the holiest of
all earthly relations, the blood which had been
coursing SO rapidly through her veins suddenly
seemed to stand still, and her face grew SO pale
| as to startle even her pre-occupied companion.
"Pardon me, Milly," he said, az did not
| mean to confuse or annoy you. / should have
have remembered your sensitive delicacy, and
broached this subject less abruptly. Indeed, /
fully sympathize with your feelings-but, am
stupid and rude-not much used" he added,
with painful attempt to smile, "to business
| like this"
Her only reply was burst of tears.
He looked at her moment, then rose and
paced the ground beneath the trees, until her
grief grew quieter, and manifested itself only
by suppressed sobs.
/ How wildly those sobs reminded him of their
meeting in Mrs. Testers garden, years ago,
when he had sheltered her in, his arms until
her little sorrowful heart grew quiet. How he
| longed to do it now-how almost irresistible
was the impulse that moved him to open his
arms and shelter her, as of yore; but he re-
membered, also, that it was then that he had
eonsecrated himself to her happiness, and
should he not keep his VOW? So he seated
! himself again, and said, tenderly, though he
did not take her hand, as had ever been his
won't
"You know, Milly, how dearly we love YOU
| my mother and how much it will cost us to
part with you" (Milly thought him choking
| for breath, but as she looked up, the same
composed face met hers.) eve are very self
| ish, but not so much so as to stand in the way
| of your happiness. If we feel tempted to do so,
we will remind each other of all the long years
| through which you have been to us light and
| blessing, and grow-contsnt. We have much
| to thank you for, Mlly."
She could not speak for her tears, and again
| he went on:
"When God gave you to us, in the place
of little Alice, Milly, vowed to be father .
| (oh, how his heart covered and shrunk at that
word) "to you--a brother. Now, l would
say, if you find in your heart any response to
! Alfreds confession--if that bids you go-do so,
and Gods blessing and ours go with YOU"
She did not even raise her head, and again
| he forced himself to add
"Alfred's conduct has been open and manly
| in this affair. He tells me it is no new thing
| with either of you, and have promised him to
put no obstacles in the way" Odd he note the
| tremor that shook the bowed figure at his side,
as he uttered these words?) "He has many
good qualities, which are capable of being de-
| yeloped into something much higher and nobler
than they are at present. You need not answer
| now-wait until you are more composed. 1t is
very sudden to me-took me quite by surprise,
or | should not have been so abrupt But am
apt to be unobservant, absent. unsocial-selfish-
| ly so. l know-perhaps neglectful."
"Ohl no. no, mo-! she cried, hastily rising
and standing before him. "You are all that is
kind, noble, thoughtful, and good! You told
me once never to say that again." she said, see
| ing him start. {" You remember the time, but
l must say it for this once. And, Horace" she
went on, speaking very distinctly though rapid
| ", "let me say what I have to say now. Tell
| Alfred Lester that am grateful to him for his
kind opinion of mc-gratcfnl for all the kind
! ness which he hag shown me since | was a
| friendless child in his mothers house-Heaven
knows how grateful but | cannot be his wife :"
| "Milly -
"Let the subject drop, Horace; never men
ton it again. 1t cannot bel" And, turning
Suddenly aside to avoid that keen, scrutinizing
| glance, she walked slowly toward the house.