Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-06-11

that of returning at length to Zamine's
side, endowed with such true manly ae-
complishments as should command her
respect as well as her love. A doubt
of the truth and endurance Of her afec-
ton had never once crossed his mind :;
but here was matter for confederation
He would not, could not doubt her; but
the long absence might perhaps ''obliter-
ate" In his heart $50 entirely hersl he
felt that she was truly his, that the dear
letters he was so regularly receiving
could be no counterfeits; but then this
epistle had opened door for doubt, and
his thoughts were very, very narrowing.
Perhaps, he thought, duty would make
, her keep her early contract, and then he
might get a wife, but one without a heart
= Now" said he, at last, half aloud,
Famine is free, free as the air; she
: shall never marry me unless she does it
: with a free heart, unless she prefers
: me to all else on earth. If she has
grown up as lovely as she was in child
> hood, how beautiful she must be No
wonder she finds suitors-ay, and many
of them. No wonder she should be test
: ed. l will not pine (if l can help it)
over this anonymous hint; and yet,
, truth to say, believe whoever wrote
that thought he spoke the truth, let the
actuating motive of the communication
be what itmy."
At this moment the door of his room
: was thrown violently open, and in rush
ed couple of college chums, full of life
l and spirit.
Hullo, Fred, here I've made up a
match at foils with you and Charley
: Ten to one that you hit him fair in three
bouts. He's agreed-stakes up and if
he touches you at all, I lose"
Alfred took up the note he had be
reading, drew low sigh, banished for a
: moment the trouble from his mind, and
taking down couple of foils from the
; wall prepared TO engage in playful but
!, manly game, and to make good the bets
which his gay friend had made through
4 confidence in his skill with the weapon
Perhaps no scene could have been in.
5 troduced so well calculated as this which
: at the moment CHANGED, whereby tht
:, character of young Howard might have
been better studied by stranger. The
). cool yet careful manner in which he took
S his guard, poised and felt his weapon
n bore his point and parried and thrust
= were calculated to exhibit all the many
e qualities of manliness, selfreliance anC
> promptness which were prominent anC
e peculiar in him. The contest was soor
S decided, and Alfred's adversary wa
n easily touched" and then disarmed.
r In his assiduity for mental culture be
had in no way neglected his physical
/ training, and thus bore away the pain
II from his entire class, but with such mod
n est grace as to create no i'll will.
n Eight years have passed since Alfre'
/ Howard had left that dear playmate ol
: the shore at Calcutta, and five more wer
IT yet to be consumed before his education
II would be sufficiently advanced for him Il
n graduate, and fulfil his fathers plan c
rs study and return to India. As he nov
+ sat alone once more, thinking over hi
1t prospects, the purport Of the warning let
I'd ter and kindred themes, the five year
yet to come seemed longer TO him tha
y ever before; but he was brave at hear
20 and he resolved not toswerve in the pat
le of duty he had laid out; he would II
&c main the appointed time and devote hin
N self to his self culture as earnest as e.
so er.
er The past eight years had not bee
v without change. Zamine's mother die
Id as we have already intimated, and A
SIS fred's own mother had also gone to ht
long sleep these three years since
ly q Change! change lit is written upo
30. everything" murmured Alfred and ma
Id the course of time also change thee, m
e. dear, gentle Famine? / will not dou
mt thee | will not even hint doubt
II thee"
e- With this implicit confidence in Il
Ell beautiful Hindoo girl, Alfred seemed
le. settle his course of conduct, and he d
nd not even mention a thought to her in h
. letters which could indicate the shade
'Pt however slight, which had passed aero
he the field of his affection for her. II
letters of both bore token Of the most U
changing and full confidence in each OF
he er which they had ever done.
ar In the meantime Sir De Lacy Ho'
nd ards letters were as regular as ever
an his son, freighted with affectionate adyi
- and ample remittances. He applaud
1lv his sons constancy of purpose, and be
oh up to him the honor and satisfaction tn
ye must result from a careful persistency
,ed the course OF study and discipline whi
,re had been adopted. He was kind
,fz ther and judicious one, exercising gre
IT, influence and control over his sons mil
Of and his wish with Alfred was inde
tile law.
II But we have other characters a
scenes, which we must bring before
ur- minds eye of the reader in far off Ind
End ---
CHAPTER Ill
on. In q room fitted with every luxu
nee and elegance that taste and an ami
ong fortune could command sat Famine,
and daughter of Hafz Roy. She was inde
her lovely as child, but now all the prom
her of her infancy had been more than
ady flled-she was beautiful in every SCI
ed of the word. Dressed in half Easte
on half European costume, she looked
~