Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-06-11
IRASBURGH, VERMONT, FRIDAY. JUNE II, 1858

right. The wheels of Sir De Lacy's
governmental office ran smoothly on, and
he found time to play his favorite game
of chess with the rajah daily, and often
for many hours together, Famine often
sitting by them a silent spectator.
Itwas the second year of Alfred How
ards absence, when Famine was called
upon to lose her mother by death. Great
was her loss, but yet so true and judicious
had the departed parent been in the care
of this, her only child, that she left an
abiding influence for good behind her.
Though but eleven years of age, Famine
was very womanly, both in mental and
physical growth, and became the domes-
tic idol of her doting father.
For his child's sake the palace was
made to glitter with splendid attendants,
ornaments, petite amusements, and pets
of all sorts. At first, after Alfred How
ard had departed, she was quite incon-
solable. Even for months she was so de-
liected as to cause anxiety on this ac-
count. But the keenness of her loneli-
ness wore gradually away; but not so
the memory of her old playfellow. Ev
erything remained to recall him to her
mind, for every spot in those beautiful
gardens they had visited together often
times. Here they had braided flower
wreaths, here played at hide and seek,
here plucked and eaten the delicious
fruit, and here Alfred had saved her life
from the the terrible hyena.
The district of Jungepoor grew each
year more and more populous with Eng
lish residents both military and civil, un-
til at length there was quite large and
choice circle of well-bred people, forming
a pleasant society. Among them were
many youths of either sex, about Ia
mines age, and with whom she was more
or less intimate. The queen of all their
revels and sports, she was also the star
that illumined the heart of more than one
young but manly heart among the Eng
lish residents.
Among these was the son of a wealthy
commercial agent of the government,
named Horace Gray, a fine, spirited and
handsome youth, year the senior Of
Alfred, who is absent in England. His
vivacious spirits, clever accomplishments
good cultivation and gentlemanly charac-
teristics, won the confidence of Famine,
who, with trusting innocence, admitted
him to intimate friendship in her feelings.
A few years of companiouship had thus
ripened their friendly relationship when
Famine was already sixteen years Of age
The reader, however, must not suppose
that she was during this lapse of years
once untrue in her feelings towards the
far-of playmate ofher infancy. No-as
frankly were her earnest feelings for hin
avowed before Horace Gray as to hel
own heart.
The quarterly arrival of the govern
: ment packet at Calcutta always brough
Famine a kind, affectionate letter from
Alfred, and in return bore him one from
, her. They were not loyesick, sentimen
tai effusions, but well written and inter
: esting letters, through which tender
A and afectionate spirit ran like a silver
t thread, linking their various themes il
consonance together. In these letters
t the engagement between them was al
: luded to as matter, not of doubt, bu
/ as one to which they had been born, ant
to which their own hearts had set seal.
] But still the intimacy of Horace Gra.
2 with the young and beautiful Hindo'
: girl continued. He rode by her side, h
b strolled with her in her fathers palac
l., gardens, be rowed her fairy boat upol
e the artificial lake in short they were s
: much together that those who knew he
d to be the affianced bride Of Alfred How
: ard, shook their heads Significantly, an
d said that the absent one was doubles
e forgotten
: Though Horace Gray undoubtedl
r. loved Famine, he had never told her 81
o He knew that would not do; 1t woul
lead to an end of their intimacy at once
o He knew her to be lowyal to the abser
1t student, however much he could wish
e otherwise for as there was neither de
I ceit nor guile in the fair girls heart, ne
,e ther was there deception upon her tongue
t She frankly admitted her regard an
Is faithful memory of Alfred Howard
d Therefore it was that Horace Gray kel
r his own secret, but loved her none Ii
d less devoutly.