The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-03-23
am .Dear dear Wal.er, can YOU not

som Z" Dear dear Walter, can you no,
yet trust my 1--we y 7. '.
~ do trust your'iove, my own swee,
Alice. and tbis only adds 20 my self re-
nroach. because, Aiice'-and the speaker
bent his head lower over the dropping form
which cluns to linn 50 londly-"it viii sour
be u sin for us t,' love each other ut all /: !or
, unconscious Gill too lite ofthe n,ture ofmy
feelings towards you, have promised "
marry my cousin. "i''o O..
Alice Lee raised her head, and giving for
u moment into her lover's face, us IL T., read
| there contradiction T., the words hc had
spoken. sprang from The still circling nrn
/, which had supprtsd her, and us pale as ths
!, white roses wi,ith clustered round the ar
bor where they Ind been seated, she appear
oi to wait In staf sed silence for an cAplan-
alton. - 80. =, " issssi ,.'.,s
i Another moment, and the rustic Of q
lady's dress caused the 'bewidered girl to
turn he. eyes from the sern look Of sorrow
which was sophinly portrayed in her com-
panion face, to encourrer an expression
equally fearful on tho beautiful f'atires of
the intruder. Like soms fair statue on
. whose lineaments the intensity of hopeless
despair was traced by n mister chisel, stood
Mildred Vernon. Her large dark eyes were
fixed upon the young pair before her with
an expression Of agony which seemed to
overpower their sorrow in sympathy with
hers. The qui,k perception Of Alice seemed
at once to understand The mystery, and
gliding from the seat where she had crouch.
ca in her sudden grief, she took tho passive
hand which hung by Mildrsd's side, raising
il to her lips, exclaimed wildly: "Forgive
him, dearest lady; only forgive Walter-he
will lore you. Oh! he does love you al.
ready, MS you deserve. See no is weeping
lie does not lave NE now that is past, dear
lady and you will forgive him and be his
wie!r '...,t...l,. ....o-,s esI r..
Pale and liieIess, the unhappy speaker
sank at the feet Of her rival, who appeared
suddenly recalled 20 her usual selt. posses.
sion . Ina calmvoice, she babe Walter car
ry the laintins Alice to an admning sum.
ner.huuse, where she watched wi h intense
solicitude for the first sign OF recovery
Then beckoning her calisin TO her SIDE, she
placed Alice Lees hand in his. and without
trusting herself to lopk into lis face. said
slowly: You must tell Alice, Walter,
that yon are mot going to marry your cous-
in I; that you may love her without sin
aud that to.morrow will tell her so myself.
You may mol lik to see my father tonight
TO morrow, will prepare him for an inter.
view. There; now see this poor girl to her
home" ..'.. .. y e.. ui
Passing rapidly on to the house, Mildred
Vernon sought in the solitude Of her own
chamber upon her bendcd knees, that conso.
latiou which her, crushed heiirt so sorcly
needed; and she arose ut length, strength
cncd and confirmed IN the generous sell-sac.
rifce her noble impulsive nature had at once
sug .estcd. The cup. indeed, confirmed a.
-i;.,vr d.-,.s,. bot-Shc rv-,ufynu IN drhih ~
to the very drcss, believing that in the end
il world p,0ve wholesome medicine, which
in time might bring back some degree oi
peace to her troubled spirit.
Your engagement with Walter Mt an
end Wha, un earth do you mean. clild
al" uys gave you credit Tor knpwin. your
own mind little better than most woincn
Give mo your reason for this behavior Mil
dred.nfC IE fgEfEq kB VIVA
Mildred was silent for n moment. MS IT,
struggling with sumo inward emo,ion, the
signs Of which were painfully visible mr her
fine features, MS with sudden Effort. she
said firmly; " Even ut the risk Of losing
what prize 50 early, your Sn,d opiniun.
my dear father, can assign no other ,ea,on
than the ono already given namely, that
our marriage, il persisted in, wonli be u
source "i misery toboth of us. Pay believe
that this is not grounded npoi, 1le,e caplce
deep searchnio into NY own hearl, all'l u
clear knowledge Of Walters feelings, have
alone led me 10 decide thus. 0nly let me
ask This favor, deaIesl laihel,n aud The
beautiful Girl clasped The old man ,rnterly
ronnd his ueck, aud ben, fondly over him
"iha, you will moi alter your pecnuiaiy ar
Judgements with Waller IN culis .queice OF
this change in my views. Lei him be M
much your heir as he would have been lad
he married your ouly daughter 4
Amt what is 10 become Of my ,langh-
Ter! fshe is satisfied 10 be ponionIess
heanly Tor her cousins sake, mi.h, no, hel
future husband reasonably regard This pre-.
ference Of II once favored lover with some.
'hins nearly akin lojealousy!" nti
:" Dear ia'her, do nol Imin me by speak.
ing Thus. IN giving ur Walter, | give up
all llon.h, OF marriage. Ny dear mo,heris
fortune Is an ample one for spinis,er-is
II noi, sir! Nay VOC alnos, promised not
10 visit The sin oi my fickleness, rs you
term i',upnn Waller; 50 make me happy
now by raiilying that pronIise."
Mil,ircd's soil, c'eai voice fallered per.
ccplibly, in spite Of her efforts TO appear
calm; aud when Mr.. Vernon rn;sed his
heal. and looked up inio her face, he saw
,hn, she hail been weeping.
:. Come, nv Mili'ed, no Tears. We will
s,v no more about yourmanying, my swee,
child and as to This other matter, il shall
be arranged nearly rs you would have il
-ouly, ms Mildred must be mistress of
this old house; that canno, be Walters
now" .f.a .G .t1 N e... .
Mr. Vernon kept hi. word; and when, n
year after The events jus, related. his neph.
ew followed him TO The grave, he returned
10 find himself mnsier Of ;he princeiy for.
tune he believed To- have been forfeited by
his INCONSISTENCY. Some mouths iaier, Wal
tor led his srn,le Alice 10 a handsome home
IN the city, whc,e his happiness would have
been con- ple,c bnl for the paininl knowi.
edge That This happiness wasbpili upou The
hli.hei hopes OF her 10 whom ,he owed all
his prosperity.
In accordance with her faher's wish and
The, provisions. of his viii. Millred Vernon
still kept mp her establishment a, Balersea,
4 living lie Of qnie, usefulness aud benev-
olence until all traces Of her sorrow seemed
/ TO have beer chased away. MillIed had
sedulously avoided meeting her cousin al.
Ter the death Of her father; and she had
not seen Alice since the fatal scene which
opened her eyes TO her, lovers real feeling
towards herself. The sudden news oi The
\ eniite iailure Of one Of Walters business