Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-06-19
RAsBURGH, VERMONT, FRIDAY. JUNE 10, 1857

knew nothing of the strong passion that
lslept, like hidden fire, in heart,--the
deep and strong love for the runaway
They could not help wondering why the
fancy of the stranger, should settle upon
$50 reserved and silent girl as Ruth, and
pass by such an impersonation Of viva
cious beauty as Mary. But the wonder
was all they got for their trouble. In
reading the secret of a heart, their eyes
were not the eyes of an infatuated lover. /
At length the stranger took final
leave of the village, after having again
and again renewed his expression of at
tachment to Ruth, and each time in vain.
, She was, by no means, insensible TO the
) regard he professed; but, farther than
: this, she suffered his words to make no
impression upon her. None were more
moved by her conduct than her parents.
I They artfully essayed to divert the gen.
: tleman's preferences from Ruth to Mary.
e And at last they became so much in
J, eensed at what they saw was inevitable,
b that it seemed as if they could with diff
e Guilty endure even Ruth's presence with
r them. Their affection was but one word
It for selishness and pride.
S And all this Ruth too well knew; and
: all the time, her heart was too full for
), utterance. To explain, would but in
0 fame her parents still more for as be-
/ tween the gentleman and the forgotten
runaway, they would instantly have de-
: clared in favor of the former.
+ And when, too, Ruth began to think
d the whole matter calmly over again, and
IS when she reflected that it was already a
10 long, long time since she had heard from
7; William, and that his feelings might
er undergo a change ere she should hear
IN from him again,-she trembled in view
d. of the fearful chances that might yet
he overtake her yet there was secret
I'd power in her trustful heart, that made
ne her strong. She did not falter: she
could not hesitate, SO long as that power
is controlled her.
ed After more sadness, more tears, mort
er persecution after many and man,
he a silent and lonely tryste beneath tn
ty old beech tree, where she had spoken th
ost syllables of farewell to her long-estranget
to lover,-her heart temporarily threw OF
its great weight of sorrow, and tie Older
ID, smiles shone out anew upon her face.
.y. William Britton had returned
ip- His entrance into the village was th
re occasion of much surprise, and more re
. mark. When Ruth first heard he ha
las come, her strength failed her and she fe
OF as if she must faint. She withdrew {
ad- her little chamber, and there she onl
suffered herself to wonder if he locke
the as he did when the evening shadows toe
inc him out of her sight. She tried timid
en- to settle it in her mind, if he was yet
hts devoted to her as he promised ever to b
ain. And she kept wondering, and questionir
pot, herself, and fearing, until her mind W;
hen in almost as unquiet state as if she hs
ted heard that he was never to return agai
They met once more; but it was II
he until the following day The delay W
'od- ominous.
ard The young boy had become a ma
Long absence had manifestly improv
ren- his appearance, and his tastes had undo
gone good degree of cultivation.
lily, He found both Ruth and Mary in tn,
ling little parlor together. The meeting "
und cordial and unaffected. He was heart
glad to see them both again, and t,
an them SO with all the grace Of a finish
last man Of the world.
Is TO To Ruth he said nothing more ii
loss- to Mary. Had he forgotten, then,
ared his old affection ? Was his heart bas
the treacherous even to itself
Day followed upon day. Not so mi
yell now was it the company of Ruth that
thro' sought, as that Of Mary. lie walked "
west her at times down the old road, and j
intly the grove; and even sat down beside
ear under the same beech tree,-its re
the still writhed and twisted together
rs. where he had many time told Of
in to passionate love for Ruth
f the He told Mary, in a very Gippant "
given how very tame he thought Ruth
love grown that she seemed to have lost
her former yiyaeity; and that he {
soon wished she had the life Of some Of
poor fine ladies he happened TO know.
Poor Ruth Poor--poor Ruth -
r, as all this time, her heart was year.
6 by with its whole feeble strength for
was recompense Of the boundless wealtl
anx- had so freely bestowed.
IL s.sx D..eI Ali. l.4 .s...a