Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-10-23


"Oh, father" she said, "she is all we
have left. We are old now, and she is |
young do not break her heart"
" Woman" said the elders stern tones
'%empt me not. The minister shall not
be deceived. 1 will not do this great
sin against God"
But you can let her tell him. She
says he loves her, and she knows he viii
marry her, in spite of all. Let her tell
him-only leave her this one hope
Then the elders wrath rose to a white
heat.
Yes, have no doubt you would ap-
prove of that. Her mother did not shame
me enough-you would bring another
into this secret. Elinor," he cried, with
raised tones, and forth from the inner
room the young girl tottered. Moses
Grants face was terrible to look upon in
his rage, but Elinor confronted him calm
/ ly though she was obliged to cling to the
table for support.
d" 1 have told you all what do you
/ propose to do now :" he asked, in tones
Of forced composure.
/ "Therei is but one thing, grandfather.
1 should feel this disgrace more bitterly
if Walters love had not made me strong
to bear anything. l will tell him what
you have told me. would not deceive
him any more than you would but 1
will tell him all, and he will but love me
/ the better because need his pity. Oh,
you don't know Walter. He has such a
great heart. He will not care for the
world. He fears nothing but sin. He
, will make me his wife
The old man was silent for moment.
The girls face beamed like one inspired.
1t awed him, 1t was so full of deathless.
triumphant love and faith. But this
emotion passed, and his tone, when be
' answered her, was firm as ever.
Elinor, you shall not tell him this
secret. I, your grandfather, forbid it.
He himself would be the first to say ii
! was your duty to obey me. If you tel
him, Twill curse you; do you hear NE
curse you with curse that shall cling
to you all your life. You shall not tel
him. I bear humble name, but ar
! honorable one. Only this one shadow
, Of disgrace has ever fallen on it. As Goo
hears me, you shall not spread the shame
full secret. Tell your lover you can no
marry him-that I forbid it. Ifhe want
to know why, he can come to me-
- Elinor had heard this outburst silently
growing stronger, as it seemed, unde
, every stern, cruel word which fell on he
= ear, Staying her lifetime hope, blottins
4 all the brightness out of her existanee
= When the last word, swift, crushing, re
4 morseless, had died on his lips, she al
sr swered in such tones as he had neve
Il dreamed she could utter, SO cold wer
-e they, so passionless.
: Give yourself no trouble, grand
father-I shall obey you. I will not il
IA cur your curse-still less will I deceiv
L Walter. Thank God, the time come
n when you and will go before Him t
gether, and the wrongs of earth shall /
fe righted BY the immaculate justice of He;
= yen."
~ Mary Grant would fain have soothe
n her, but she seemed sufficient unto he
ne self. Calmly she walked into the parl
as and took her seat by the open windo'
he where she could watch the road leadir
he down the hill.
les Soon she saw him coming-the your
lover who could remain away from /
till bethrothed no longer. Joyousiy he wal
air ed, with quick step and erect head. Ho.
led was holding a cup to bis lips beaded
the brim with bubbling drops Of joy. s.
ed must dash it from them-she who lov
mr. him best, whom he best loved. She cIas
,ut ed her hands over her eyes, and pray
j. "a short, silent prayer which Heav
7 would answer. She heard his step up
ma the door-stone. He opened the lit
front door without knocking. He car
to her side. He drew her close, cIo
as one who had a right to hold her
Ii his heart forever, and she was silent-s
ast could not break the spell.
;et At last she started from his arms
oBr stood before him, her white face a
cleaning eyes.
# Walter~ she cried, eagerly, J
erv know love you. You never can doI
ne that. I am very young; have had
hit other faneies, no other dreams. You v
,ent all my heart, hear me, Walter {! 1
nd yOurs-I viii be yours till die. Ne
IL, L Z