Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1858-03-18


ing over her, Edwin whispered Anna, do
you love met
lso kbou ] do, she answered.
DO you love me well enoegh TO trust
your happiness in my hands, TO be my
i do, but my father-
Hates me; ! know it WE'LL said Edwin
bitterly. He believes | AN no farmer,
AS' ont gentleman, that there 10 DO truth
or goodness 10 me. Believe me, Anua IL is
obiy bis prejudice against cities that causes
your father 10 dislike me
But, iaiiered Auna, that prejudice is 90
strong that fear he vill never consent TO
M ssaa!ag pea
ODee my sife, dearest, aud be vail forgive
you Though be might not be wilhus to
let his child 60, stili, believe me, If the kuot
Was tied he would forgive
III TOOK iOng, even With Edwin's most
subtle reasoning, TO win AnGas consent 10 .
o'ao0esiine marriage, bot it was given At
Irhg,h, aud With \ promise 20 be in the
mesdow that night prepared for . journey
to LoudOn, she left bin
W ben she resched home, she found the
hmi'y obiy waiting her return for the
customary evening devotions Sestiug her.
sell opposite her father, Anna listened to
the words Of Divine truth which ho read -
After reading chapter from the New Tes,s
m.nt- he Fcsd ia . clear, dIntiuct voice, tue
commandment: Honor thy father aud thF
mother, that thy days may be long 10 the
land which the Lord thy God giyeth thee.
Then rising be kissed Ella aud Anna, and
lsfI the rOom.
Anns sat motionless where be bad left her
Her mother, the servants, her little brother
aud last OF all, Ella left the room, but stiII
she remained.
Heavenly Father .be murmured bouing
her bead upon her bauds, strengthen this
poor bead, aud guide me IN the right way Z
heavy sobs eboked her voice, aud she gave
way TO violent &c of weeping.
Sister AuDS,' said the low, sweet voice
ot her blind sister coming in, you are weep
ing. Will you not Ieli me what troubles
yUul
Choking back her sobs, Anna endesyored
to sprsk ebeeTfully 10 Ella Itwas vain.
aud sheT oGs or twO iTuitle.s ,fforts. sho
silently embraced her, aud souSLt her own
room
Edwin Parker was early ct the sppoin
ted TendeIvCus, and awaited impstiently for
Anna Tue hour was past, and still sbe
came not At length, weary With watching.
Edward strode from the meadow 10 the ht
tie country inn where be lodged On bis
table he found . tiny note directed TO him.
self
'Ah he murmured, ~ he tore il open de
tanned At homs, imsgiue This will ,x
| plain all
Within he found these words:
'DEAE EDwIS - C6hld the one who for
sock her hrst duty, that to her parebts, fol
hi the holy duties, she name Of wife. would
briHgf l dare not come IL has eust me
much To- write, this, but | feel that 1 sm
dOiIg right, aud that strengthens me. Win
my fathers consent aud sm yours
'Pshsw = said Edwin, tossing The note
ihto 'be are, IL ispt worth the trouble
The p.It morning Edwin Parker had
lrfI tus village
About month after this, An n was 10
the garden, watering some plapts, when ber
father j.iued her
'Auua, said be, do you recolleet yeung q
man Who was here some weeks ago, lamed
Parker 2
How her heart bounded.
Yes, father. she said
lie has been srTestei for forgery, aud
is-- Heavens, Anna, how pale you A. ?
Are you fHintT
i AN better now.' said Anna, struRglinr 2
for eoWposure Father will tell you eli
ADd then pray for our forgiysns g.
Dear AuBa, did you think your father was
blInd No 10 nay child, you Deed tell NE
nothing | knew all then, atd heaven aione
knew the joy of Jour fafhsrs heart when he
sAw you slili With him sf,er the ts u ptsr bad
left ibe place
How dId you kuoE . asked the asioaish
ed girl.
i vas passing ia the tbiokst ubsB your
appointments was made, and Overheard ell.
! watched your easniber door ell night,
tbiutinR 10 stop w force II Jou ErEtursd
out. Thank God 10 vas not needed
'ThtBk God. inds, 81 ssid Aobs. Had I
not called upoB His Bsms, shOald nov BE-
either the fOrgers wife OF the stretched, sus
peeled daughter