Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-09-04
litrrorp GeIrftions.
THE PERIL OF THE Law.


n vine embowered window of Freeland
Lodge, in a pleasant room, half library,
half sportsman's cabinet have now
told you all-my embarrassments-Sir
Robert Ashland's wishes. He loves you,
and if you marry him your future will be
assured while, on my part, l have little
to give you, and if you neglect this op-
portunity, you will be compelled to unite
Yourself to some one beneath you in rank
and perhaps equally poor"
"Dear father" said the beautiful girl,
a never laid any stress upon wealth or
worldly position"
"A girls estimate of life, my child"
said the Squire. "Love in a cottage is
a very pretty feature in poem-but
even one of your favorite poets tells you
that when love finds no mutton and pota-
toes on the cottage table, he opens the
vinlow. flies out and off And what is
lmeater ALL mean the love that en-
d7rs and sustains US through life 1t is
not the dazzling fame that so many silly
moths doth burn their wings at, but at
nchment based on reason, and strength
ened by use. And you, am sure, have
10 silly romantic attachment to blind
your eyes to the solid advantages offered
by Sir Roberts suit"
Amelia made no answer, and did not
raise her eyes from the rose she was busy
in picking to pieces.
g Mr.. Martin, to wait upon my lady"
said a servant entering.
Sir Roberts private Secretary p said
the Squire. % He comes on this business
I'll be bound. Now, Amelia, think we'll
of your answer. III speak with him a
moment, and then send him to you"
Amelia rested her head upon her hand
and seemed engaged in thought, until the
opening of the door again diverted her
attention, and the handsome Secretary OF
Sir Robert Ashland stood before her
Her first impulse was to extend her hand
with warm girlish greeting, but the
coolness and almost severity of the young
mans manner checked her. She there
fore simply bowed, and requested him tc
be seated.
L beg your pardon, madam, but
must return Immediately to Sir Robert
He bade me saysthat he should have come
to you himself, and had set apart hal
hour for the purpose before the country
meeting, when an inOpportune visitor de
prived him of the pleasure. He charged
me then as his confidential Secretary-ht
called me his friend-to learn from you
own lips the answer to his suit. He coult
not sleep without knowing it"
Luke" said the young girl, gazing a
the young man earnestly, what answe
shall I give him ? You have been a
old friend--a playmate--you knoN
whether Sir Robert is-in a word, m
answer will depend on you"
The messenger turned deadly pale; h
rested his hand on the back of chair
sustain himself, and sank into it. Amei
sprang to his side.
Good heavens you are ilI-Mr
Martin-Luke. l will ring for ASST
tance."
Stay l conjure you !' said MART
almost imperiously. "It is nothing
momentary faintness-but it has passt
away. You ask me of Sir Robert As
land, my benefactor. Believe me, he
the noblest Of men. He has all the qua
ties to render the woman heloves happ
and-he loves you. He is rich-he bea
an honored name. II have done n
duty" he added to himself. Then l
eyes followed anxiously every moveme
Of the Squire's daughter, as she sat dov
TO an escritoire and hastily penned no
which she handed to Martin. The Seer
tary thought that there were tears in h
eyes, but her voice was firm, as she SAT-
This note contains my final answ'
l have accepted him.
Martin could not trust himself with
reply. He bowed and left the lodge.
aminute, his horses hoofs were rapit
beating the road to Ashland castle. 4
irving, he tossed his bride to groom a
hastened to meet Sir Robert in the
orary. He was not there but Ii
IRON him lay upon the table. 1t conta
ed only the following words
DEAR LURE have gone to
country meeting. Sit up till 1 may
turn-which shall be at as early hc
as possible. ASHLAND
Martin threw himself into an e:
chair, the prey to various emotions. I
young man, who was endowed with tai
and sensibility, was peculiarly situat
lie never knew his parents nor whetl