Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-06-14

mingled her tears, but failed to speak
words of consolation in which was a
healing vitality-went thoughtfully to
her home, brooding over what she had
heard. 1t wasan easy thing to weep
with the weeper; but to speak words Of
truth that would hurt, and might offend,
was duty from which she shrunk with
instructive reluctance. But she now
saw the case in clearer light, and GEN
uine regard for Mrs. Edwards led her to
act the part Of a wise rather than weak
friend.
An hour for calm reflection was per-
mitted to elapsc, and then the lady went
to the suffering one, with her mind clear
and her purpose strong. Reflection had
thrown light upon her way, and she
saw the true path in which she must
walk, clearly.
The pale weeper was still sitting I'M
der the shadow of her great life-sorrow,
when her friend came back to her dark
ened chamber, in which reigned an al
most death-liko stiffness. a hand was
laid in that Of Mrs. Edwards only a
feeble pressure was returned, and the
tears Of the grieving one flowed afresh.
But the friend gave no answering tears.
She had not come to weep with her sor-
rowing sister but to offer words Of con-
ISOLATION in which lay the power Of heal
ing.
A." am going to speak with you about
Lucy she said.
" you love mo, name her not, re-
piled Mrs Edwards, almost sternly.
" 1t is because | love you that | speak
of her." answered the friend, with as
much frnnoss as she could assume.
F." Lucy is not at all to blame for the I'M
wise step she has token"
" Who is, then?' was the natural en-
quiry.
You and her father may be quite as
much to blame as your unhappy child. .
A sudden flush came into the pale face
of Mrs. Edwards. There were few who
did not think Just as the friend had spol,-
en-; but she alone had ventured to utter
the truth where, of all things, its utter
ance was most needed.
eve to blame p
A curve of indignation was on the liz
of Mrs. Edwards.
eff you were sure this were the case
would it not greatly soften your feeling
towards LucyY
Butt am not sure of it," said th,
lady, whose tears had ceased to flow.
" You are not the only sufferer in this
case"
"Who else suffers p
Your unhappy child"
"She deserves to suffer. What else
could she expect, in such union, but =
life of sufforingY Mrs. Edwards spoke
severely.
"Why do you 50 object to the mar,
riage."
"He is not the man to make her hap
py. In all respects they arc ursuited
to each other"
'Can you imagine sadder life than
that which a woman must lead, who
broadly crrs in the choice Of a married
partner? 2"
i" None"
I" Pity your child then If such lot
is to be hers, let your love make softer
the pillow on which her poor head must
lie. Oh my friend, do not fill it with
thorns?"
Fifty spoken were these words, and
they found lodging place in the mind Of
Mrs. Edwards; yet she answered.
" She deceived US She broke her
solemn promise not to marry this man"
:" Had you any right to .extort such a
promise Z" calmly asked the friend.
Z" Was she not our child p
Yours to love, guard, guide, and
educate for Heaven, while child And
yours to advise and Lcad ns right ways,
when woman. But not yours, after
the child became the woman, to cxtort
promises in violation Of tliat freedom to
love which is the heart's God-giyon pre-
rogatiyc. The attempt to constrain in
this direction was the very way to thwart
your own wishes. Are you roman,
and ignorant on this head? Commune
with your own heart, my friend, and
you viii see that you have erred. Par
don me when FAY that you had no right
to bring your child iDto the agonizing
strait Of choosing between her parents
and the man she loved, no matter how
you might estimate him--no, not even
if he were utterly unworthy Of her,
which / will not believe to be so. For
the breach of promise 70 yourselves
you are more to blame than she ; for you
forced her to make promise that she
could moi keep; and the necessity Of the
case absolyes her"
"Hcr father viii never forgive her"
said Mrs. Edwards, her voice subdued
from its recent sternncss. This act
has separated him forever from lis child"
A step was heard in the passage, at
this moment. The ladies glanced to-
wards the door, and saw Mr.. Edwards. |
There was dark shadow on his face.
He nodded coldly to the visitor, who
said to him, speaking from the moments
impulse" This canuot be true"
"Whnt ~ be inquired.
"That you will never forgive Lucy
for the step she has takcnY
The shadow on bis face grew darker,
as he answered.
HShc was forewarned Of the consc-
quonees."
but you will relent and forgiycp
Never
=" Yop have a father?" said the visitor,
impressiycly.
Mr.. Edwards looked with half-doubt- J