Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-05-07

through some rare medium. In my state
of mind | could hardly comprehend the
objects before me at a glance. Benton
was silent, but my eye selected at once
the prominent paintings in the apartment.
/ looked and was struck with a fit Of shiv-
ering. 1t was the portrait of my bride
my darling Jane. l was dumb. ]
could not have spoken had it been to
save my life.
have no idea how long 1 had stood
thus, when Mr.. Benton approached me,
and took my unresisting hand. MIR.
Kennedy" said he, with a choaking sound
in his throat, knew Of no proper way
for me to contribute TO the happiness of
one whom / have loved as / can never
love another, except by doing a pleasure
to the man whom she has honored with
her love. l thought it would be pleas
ant to you to Rave portrait of your wife
as she appeared in her bridal attire, and
at my solicitation she has been here a
number of times to sit for her picture.-
Her friend Miss Stevens, has been here
with her, and your servant had just passed
from sight when you came up, with the
package containing her dress. If / have
done wrong forgive me; but | thought
it would make you all so happy :"
As he closed these words, uttered with
honest emotion, every one of which went
like dagger to my heart, foundstrengtb
to lift my eyes TO his. The big tears
were hanging to his eye lids, and his
! face, in that exquisite light, was as beau
tiful as if it had been the face Of an an
gel. We looked at one another a mo-
ment, and then, moved by a common i'm
pulse, threw ourselves into one anoth-
er's arms, and cried, sir-cried like two
babies.
o my God Tom, that was the hardest
thing that ever happened to me. l was
killed-killed by magnanimity TOO great
for nv mean heart to fathom. I seized
him by the arm, at last, led him down
stairs, and took the way to my own house.
You know my impulse; and you know
cOuIu HoU suUp UIH nau IHaue Clesarl
breast of it. ! went straight to my house
kissed Jane a dozen times, told the whole
story, and made myself ridiculous. Poor
Jane she was ashamed Of me, and l dc
not think she has got over it yet
"And Benton"-I suggested.
Benton remained, and drank tea with
US, in accordance with my earnest wishes
and sent the picture home the next day
> but he has not been here since. / doub
whether he will ever come again. The
fact is, your friend Fred Kennedy ha
never felt so humble as he has since tha
day, and have wondered how Jane, VIII,
knew US both we'll, could have made tn
: choice she did between US"
$50 have l." most emphaticaIly re
responded.
Q Well, now am bothered to kno'
what to do with Benton. He Is too prou
to receive any favors from me. canno
offer him money cannot offer him any
ID thing. l tell you what I've been think
-e ing about, and you shall tell me how
N strikes you. You see what fellow
lie am. ] shall tear myself all TO pieces
ie few years, and l have brought myse
is to this. Before ! die, / viii make a so
emn request of Jane to marry Benton fc
ID a second husband"
e. At that moment Mrs. Fred Kenned
IN appeared, her cheeks flushed to vermi
lion with the effects of the cold evenir
he air. l did not wonder at the enoblingi
au fuence of such pure beauty as he's u
EN- on Benton's sensitive mind. Fred j
re troduced her, and somehow we all fouI
ns ourselves before the portrait at once.
ay give told Tom all about il" said FIR
III to his wife.
all Mrs. Kennedy gave him a look
ad wounded reproach, and then said to 1
s'h in way which spoke volumes. ~
I'LL know Fred"
1r' Fred has become a humble man a
IAN bids fair to put off the day Of Mr.. Be
lmne Int toms happiness to very indefinite
lis ture. Besides his family has been
creased to that degree that it would
no. doubtful whether the artist would be y
'ou ling to take the bereaved Mrs. Kenne
Ut with the " membranes" Still, ] Ia
l no doubt that Fred's imaginary sacril
has served lis purpose in restoring,
diy some degree, his self-respect.
oid w. T. Brough has recently receive
vas letter from Miss Louisa Pyne, in wh