Plymouth weekly banner. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1856, 1856-05-01

Cured. that i! might be possible. without
any compromise Of womsniy dignity. 70
ascertain his feelings for me. and if they
remained unchanged, TO teach him The
change in mine. and then fell into that
coloring of the bright future which seems
to be the ordained and Sisyphus-like Psn-
al:y of the unhsppy.
My chance came st last. At large
dinner party. unexpectedly met Mr..
Lacy. He came 20 me at once; spoke
kindly and gently. as In long'times; but
there wns nothing 10 lead to the idea that
he still loved me-no hesitation in the
we'll known voice, no leieni tenderness
in the searching eyes. / could no, bear
il and wished he would leave me 10 N.Y.
self, and net torture me with that cruel
friendship. Atmy first opportunity.
turned from him. and engaged myself in
conversiDg with q gentleman who wss
we'll known TO be one of my suitors. Ii
appeared like coquetry. but il was the
eagerness OF self mistrust. The evening
seemed very long, and insupportebly
painful; had not known how tenacious
ly had clung to hope until it failed me.
When Mr.. Lacy came forward to help
me TO my carriage. l felt | could hardlf
receive the ordinary civility from him
without betraying myself.
! was surprised when he begged me 10
turn into an empty room we passed on
our way to the hall.
Mildred he said. i was going to ask
you when we first met tonight. whsthes
| might resume my old relations in your
family. Nearly two years have past
since we last met. and thought | ccala
bring you back the calm heart Of friend.
But you have studiously Stunned me.
that TO ask permission now seems supef-
fiuous. Wha, am to think? Have you
not forgiven ne yet for the misery / cost
your
was silent. II I could have fallen
at his feet. and sobbed out the truth. l
might have been blessed for life. But
that would have been too great q sacrifice
for even love to exact from o woEsn's
pride.
III .he sympathy in your dissppoins-
meni would entitle me to the character
of friend. Mr.. Lacy paused. you would
give me your hand willingly. Pardon
me, Mildred, for what may seem an un-
manly allusion. bat it is bes; TO mako i,
If there is any chance for future friend
ship between us. 1t wes hard 10 give
you up. harder still TO feel The sacrifice he'd
been in vain. Had you been happily
married l could have returned TO yon
sooner; but suffering. and TO feel l had
no power to soothe'--
This generosity was too much .or me-.
rose up hastily from the seat had taken.
i cannot bear it, said. reshiy. the
pas! has been cruel enough. but this is
worse than all. Oh! ! am miserable.
Friends we can never be--let ne 90
home'
Ispoke with the fretfulness Of child;
he locked amazed.
'Am again deceised?' he asked. Il
was told that the gentleman saw with
you this evening. Mr.. Branson, was your
devoted lover. know him well; he de-
serves you, Mildred. I rejoiced 10 see
you Bright and animated. as you used 10
be, in his society-to think there was 10
blight on the future for you Of least.
What can you neon? You will not
risk. surely the happiness Of bothf Par.
don me- he said. coIoring. i forgo; ]
have not even friends right to warm.
On the briak of ones fate, TO delibef.
ate is to lose all.
MIR. Bransion is nothing 10 me-,
said, white. and trembling. and neves
will be more: the past will not let itself
be SO soon forgtten.
My tone seems 10 excite him.
'Mildred!' be exclaimed. psssionstely;
did you then love him so muchi All.
had mine been the powell
He drew long breath. and fixed for a
moment gaze on my face that solved
my last doubt, broke down the last bani.
er.
Frank has long been forgotten said.
and Instantly held out my hnnd. that
was child's love. What want for the
future. is to be what the past once prom.
ised, Mr.. Lacy
had stood erect, and spoken audibly
up TO this point; but here my head
dropped. my cheeks burned. yet from 10
ignoble shame One quick glance oI
searching astonishment. one rap,urous
exclamation. and was folded in bis arms.
Mildred. forgive my doubt. You
have regretted me-you love me?'
Beyond what you have asked STAN.
mered. hiding my face on his shoulder.
beyond friendship. feel have found
my ark of refugel'