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

He taught me how 10 play and sing the
German compositions he had introduced
TO me. | do not wish to dwell or de-
tails; but who does not know how subtle
medium Of love kindred pursuit and
enjoyment of music is?-and Mr. Lacy
had never cared for music. Then, again,
he was my perpetual companion; at
breakfast, his clear eyes and welcoming
voice opened the day; and after its long
hours Of delightful intercourse, his hand
was the last clasped at night. No at.
tempt was made to put any restraint upon
this dangerous companionship. My faith
er looked upon US as brother and sister;
besides. the fact Of my engagement was
known. and he had the most implicit
confidence in his nephew's honor. He
never considered my danger. ye, it was
:he greater. lie nigh; be strong but
was weak. In short. loved Frank.
A letter, announcing the probable day
Of Mr.. Lacy's return, reused me 10 con-
viction Of the truth. | carried ii up TO
my room. locked the door. end fell on my
knees. What should do? Should
keep my secret. end SIN against my own
sou! by marrying one did not love?-
Surely. that were the worst crime Of the
two. What was left me, then. but TO
woald the noble heart. belle my promise,
inculpate my father? 1t seemed dread
full alternative. After hours Of ngonized
casuistry, could not decide. but deter
mined 10 leave the final issue TO chance.
Did Ffank love me? Strange that took
that fact for granted. torturing myself
with the idea what he would suffer-he,
with his young, strong capacity for sor
row! This is not TO be long story. so
! must no: stay to analyze the state Of
my mind during the interval tha, elapsed
before Mr.. Lacy's return. A criminal
awaiting n sure condemnation. and that
approved by his own aching conscience.
wound understand my feelings. The
evening came on which we expected him
Never had our drawing room worn more
happy, home like character. My father
read the newspaper at ease in his ample
chair; my handsome, lively aunt perpe,-
ually in;errupting him with Irrelevant
remarks. sat near the tea liable. for a
certain hour had been fixed. and we wait
ed for our guest before we began our fa-
vorite meal. held book. 10 hide the
changes of my countenance. Had
doubted my cousins love before. should
have doubted i. no longer; how earnestly
and searchingly he looked al me-and acw
grave and sad he appeared!
The knock came. 1t was natural
should start; but il was hard to smile
naturally n, my aunt's pleasant railery.
Mr.. Lacy came in; he was one OF those
whose self governed serene manner pre-
cludes fulter or embarrassment in others.
The gentle friendiness OF his greeting
reassured me for the moment; under it
could hardly imagine the strong passion
ate current 10 exist that sometimes broke
its bounds.
The evening passed smoothly and
pleasantly to all externals. Mr.. Locy
was very grave. but then it was TO be ex'
pected of a son who had just left his
fathers death bed, and my aunt's animal
ed tongue filled up the intervals wher
conversation would have tagged. Franz
and sang together at my fathers request
for feared 10 seem unwilling; besides. i
precluded the necessity of my eXertiue
myself 10 talk. Frank was very serious
and. thought. overse to sing with me,
but at the same time he had never sung
to more advantage.
The ordeal was over at last. Mr.. Lacy
took his leave. without anything in his
manner to make me fear. or perha ps hope
that my secret was discovered. A week
passed: he was constantly with us. show
ing me the same tenderness as ever, some.
what graver. but as certainly more gen
tie. He seemed, too. to make point o
seeking Franks society, and spoke Of hin
in high terms to my father. Oh! what {
heavy heart | carried during that period
Looking in my glass. thought with
wonder Of the change six months car
work in mind and body. Al the end o.
those seven days. cnme TO resolution
that nerved me with something like
strength. ] though, would seek direc
interview with MIR. Lacy. tell him the
whole truth, and throw myself on his
generosity. Let him but release me from
an engagement that became every hour
more intG,erable TO contemplate. and
would consent to enter no other. Lei
him but free me, and would live unmar.
ried forever--yes. though must take la
Dor and poverty as companions.
1t was the very evening of the day
had come to this decision, that chanced
10 meet Mr.. Lacy on the stairs. at the
hour Of his usual arrival. Here was the
desired opportunity. but trembled to
avail myself Of it. He forestalled me.
Give me quarter of on hour alone,
Mildred. in the library he said: i have
wished to have few private words with
you for days.
We went in; he placed me a chair
near the fire. and closed The door careful
ly. then came up TO me. standing before
me as he spoke:
This day six months ago. Mildred.
made promise lam now going to redeem.
II you are not happy. l said. I will free
you from the engagement you made with
me. You are not happy. / sus spec,ed
the truth from your letters when in Scot.