Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-06-24

made to separate them. Ann was an
obedient daughter, for, although, she
could not forget William, she could and
did break off all intercourse with one
whom she dreamed of day and night
Resolved to convince Josiah Warren that
he was worthy of better treatment, Viii
liam Bradley hurried away to Lowell,
where he found employment in machine
shop. This proved so lucrative that be
returned to Westown at the expiration
OF the yoar, 70 inv0st a considerable sss-
wing, and talk with pardonable ostenta-
tion of his expectations. If AIMS obe-
dience to her parents had for moment
shaken his faith in her constancy, he read
the history of her truth in the pallid
cheek and lustreless eye that enchained
his attention during the entire afternoon
service at the village church.
Old acquaintance greeted him at the
church door to make friendly inquiries,
and some, too dull to interpret Alright his
abstracted and downcast air, inquired,
significantly, if he had met Ann Warren.
William hurried away from them to find
relief in the retirement of his fathers
cottage, but here his mother, while osten-
sibly busted in laying aside her Sunday
garb and preparing supper, enlarged up
on the consumptive tendency of the War
ren family.
" There was Ruby Warren-you re-
member her don't you, William? though
come to think of it you must have been
too little,-well, she pined away till
Spring came. l knew she'd live till
Spring, after she fingered through the
winter. Almost always a consumptive
person will drop away about the time the
leaves begin TO fall, but she didn't, she
fingered along, as said before, till spring
came,-she was just the age of little Bet
sey that l buried before you was born.
Mercy Warren, she went next after Ru-
by"
William could endure no more, and
seizing his hat he hurried out of the
house, while the old lady rambled on her
family history, addressing her conversa-
ton to her husband, and mildly wonder
ing now and then, why William hurried
of so, just as supper was almost ready
for the table.
William had directed his steps to the
old orchard behind the dwelling-house, a
spot savage and sterile enough to encour-
age all the melancholy forebodings OF
his troubled soul. From the granite ridge,
he caught sight of the village burial
ground, a desolate field of graves, from
which he instincively turned away, only
to fix his gaze upon Josiah Warren's
three story house, standing out bare and
white, without sheltering tree, or other
ornament TO relieve its unattractiye as.
pect. Thus his thoughts hurried from
Ruby and Mercy Warner, whose names
and ages he had often spelled off the
gray granite slabs in boyhood, back IL
the pallid Ann, whose blue veined fore.
head and colo less cheek rose in sad con.
trast beside the blooming picture of hi:
Ann of one brief year ago.
But what can l do?" The question
asked IN bitterness of soul, received nc
response, when an unexpected voice a
his very side startled him with" How
dye do William? Hain't grown toC
proud to speak to an old friend have We.
Thought | never would make you heal
anything, this wind makes such lone
some kind of noise. Glad to see you
it seems like old times"
William gladly extended his hand tt
grasp that of Thomas Warren, frankl,
disclaimed all idea of forgetting him, ant
then the two walked and talked of ever,
commonplace thing in existence. Th,
one subject of interest to either, Ann.wa
alwas carefully avoided. At length
Thomas fingered still, muttering some
thing about being in hurry to see t,
the chores at home before singing schoo
opened, in order to introduce a few part
ing remarks.
When are you going back to Lowell
William ?f
" promised to be on hand Wednesda,
morning"
" What !! going to leave on Tuesday /?
1" / suppose SC" was the unsatisfactor,
reply.
Thomas pondered as ifit had involve,
some intricate idea, and to conceal hi
true feeling, became distrain and uneasy
He was true New England boy, an,
feared to exhibit any unmanly feeling
The concealed, yei genuine love be Dor
his sister. PROMPTED him 10 an oBfburs