The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1858-10-14
.FL0RENCE VERNON:
LOVE STRONGER THAN DEATH.
BY FINLEY JOHNSON.
CHAPTER FIRST.

a smile, and every heart beats with
joy. The gentle zephyrs sported with
the branches of the trees, the merry
birds warbled their songs, and the sun
beams played over the surface of the
llmpd stream. 1t was indeed such q
a day as might well be fitted to heav-
ems cline.
So thought Florence Vernon, as,
seated on the grassy bank that lin
ed the murmuring rivulet, she gazed
on the glorious prospect before her.
She was not alone; one worthy to
share her happiness was by her side,
and though silent, his presence ad-
ded to the charm. Walter Harry had
long loved her, and now that love was
avowed,- was shared; words had been
spoken, vows exchanged, and these
two loving hearts were bound together
by the ties Of affection.
Florence was rich, an only child; her
father was rich, and delighted to be-
stow every good result Of his posses
sion upon her. He was ambitious
butcautous, and resolved that Florence
should marry one every way her equal.
Young Harry was rich, and it was
therefore with her fathers sanction
that she returned the attachment.
The time rapidly drew nigh when
the nuptaIs were TO be consummatcd.
But, alas! dark clouds were gather.
ing above and around them. There
came day ortrial; financial diacul-
ties stalked DER the land-thoSe who
retired in wealth, the mornings sun
rose on their poverty. The Harveys
struggled nobIy, but the blast swept
DER them, and left them ruined.
Bcrcit Of all, it now dcvolved upon
Walter to assist them in their desttu-
t;"", onh no situation offering in the
mercantile business, he u.eontod an
offer to become tutor in q village
school. a tutor!--Mr. Vernon's rare
was unboundcd AT this degradation,
and stunning all intercourse with tho
family, he bade Florence to caroot
them. ~.
1T is impossible, falher--you can
not mean it," she cried:" in one year
| would have been Walters BRIDE
| will not, cannot forsake him."
Nonsense, and what will you be
doing next! | want you TO occupy an
exalted station in society, not to blast
your prospects by wedding common
schOolmastcr.'
FEATHER, father--shamc; shame on
YOU
"Shamc is it, because | refuse to
allow you to marry apauper' How
ever, there is Charles Edwards, he
was speaking to me the other day
about you; he is wealthy, make up
your mind to have him."
Talk not so, father; | love Walter,
and nothing can alter that love-"
81 believe. Girl, YOU have lost your
senses. Do you think that | have
been boarding up riches to see you
the wife of a beggar! | told him not
to show his face here again"
"Oh, father, you could not be 50
cruel
"Crucl! fddlesticks--it is n good
thing that every body amt as mad as
yourself. But let us drop the subject,
my mind is made up, you shall marry
Edwards, and by-the-by, he will be
here to dinner to-day;" and with which
announcement, Mr. Vernon left the
room.
Walters exertons were now indeed
arduous; for his whole family de-
pended upon him for support. Yet,
though he sought not Florence, he
never doubted her word, He re-
Trained from seeing, from writing to
her, though his communion would
have been his sweetest solace; but had
he a right to cast gloom over his iu'
, ture prospects! Pure as his love was
would the world credit his singiensSs
]. of purposel He could not bear the
-, imputation of fortune hunting; he
would not wish it; so despite the con-
IS sdo,co in the faith of Florence, he
cruoIlv assented to her fathers COM
i mords lie was wrong, their troth
was pighted, he knew her love for
him, what was the world to him.
. what right had he to immediate her
L. affections at its shrine, to sacrifice
them to his own pridel Both were
victims; he struggled for resignation,
crushing his spirit to the dust,
tearing up his strong hope he had
so joyously cherished. She was more
unresisting; had he forsaken her, un-
hidden, had he been false, her heart
would have broken; no murmur would
r have betrayed its hidden grief Nov
she would not submit; he was ApT