The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-01-06

ranged themselves in a sequence which gave
them quite new Significance. His past life
presented itself to him for the flrst time as
coherent chain of events, exemplifying cause
and effect; and iffis plans for the future did
not at that moment receive any determinate
change, he still kept repeating, anxiously and
inquiringly, as he wandered on in the moon
light, the two strangely suggestive words:
"And theny' Itproved long and toilsome
nights journey for that belated traveller; for
he had left Mr. Canute's cottage SO hastily,
that he had neglected b, ask for certain land-
marks on the hills leading 70 tlle place whith-
or he was bound. In consequences, the stars
faded in, the sky, and the rosy morn broke
through the easternmists, ere the weary man,
from the summit Of high hin which he had
tortonsly ascended, beheld afar of, down in
the valley, the shining river, the bridge, and
the church-tower ofthe town where his friend,
in some anxiety, awaited his reappearance.
During all his after-life that young man
never forgot the solitary night-walk when he
lost his way beneath abcautiful spangled
summer sky: the stars seemed to form the
letters, sand then ?'' the soft night-breeze
seemed to whisper in his ear, "And thens'
1t is true, he had not gained the intelligence
he sought respecting the inmates of Amber
mead Hall; but he had laid bare his. own
folly for the inspection Of Mr.. Canute; and,
in return, he had listened to no reproof--no
| tiresome lecture vouchsafed from prosy age
to ardent youth-but simply two words had
penetrated his heart, and set him a-thinking
seriously. Mystic little words! "And then?'
For nearly three years after Mr.. Harwelfs
decease, the old Hall, contrary to general
anticipation remained untenanted, save by
F. domestics left in charge. Miss ClaLa had
found shelter with her relative, Lady Ponson-
by, though her memory was still fresh and
warmly cherished among the humble friends
in her beautiful native village Mr.. Canute,
if possible, more silent than ever, still remain
ed the village oracle; perhaps more cherished
than of yore, inasmuch as he was the only
memento remaining of the beloved Harwells
the old familiar faces now seen no more
He would listen, and THEY would talk, of
days gone by; he felt the loss even more
than others, for he mourned companion
and friend in Mr.. Harwell, and Clara had
been to the good Two Words as an adopted
daughter. At length it was rumored that
Mr.. Selby, the new proprietor, was soon
expected to take possession of his property
in due form; moreover, that he was on the
point of marriage, and that his young bride
would accompany him. lllreports fly quick
"; and it had been circulated in former times
that Mr. Silsby was wild and extravagcnt,
careless of others, selfish and prohigrate-
Indeed, Mr. Cunate had not contradicted
such reports, so it was generally opined they
were too true, and had legal foundation.-
With heavy hearts, the inhabitants of AM
bermead commenced their rural preparations
for the reception of the squire and his bride;
green arches were erected, and wreaths of
flowers were hung on the spreading branches
beneath which the travellers road lay. 1t
was the season of roses and nightingales,
when Ambermead was in its glory; and
never had the chorus of the groves been more
full and enchanting, than on the summer
evening when the old and the young of the
hamlet, arrayed in their holiday attire, waited
to greet the newcomers.
Mr.. Canute stood at his cottage-door; the
bridge just beyond, over which the route con-
Quoted to the Hall through avenues of green
erie, was festooned with roses; and band
of maidens in white lined the picturesque
approach. The sun was setting, when a
carriage drove quickly up, slackening its
pace as it crossed the bridge, and stopping
at Mr.. Canute's humble gate. Two Words
himself bareheaded, stepped forward on
seeing lady alight, who in anothermoment
threw herself into his arms, exclaiming: sour
first greeting must be from you, dear, dear
Mr.. Canute! Ineed not introduce Mr.. Selby
-he is known to you already" Speechless
from astonishment and emotion, the old man
could only say "Miss Clara pas he gazed
from one to another, recognising in the gen.
tleman the wayfaring guest who had departed
SO abruptly on his walking expedition over
the moonlight hills, more than three years
previously. Selling the hand which Mr..
Canute silently extended, Mr.. Selby said,
with deep feeling "FN
is to your instrumentality that l owe
my present happiness"
'How SOP" was Mr.. Canut' reply, looking
with pleased surprised into the open face,
which, on a former occasion, had won his
confidence and admiration.
"7teo soords spoken in season wrought a
change in me, which all the preaching of
friends and guardians had failed to effect"
returned Mr.. Selby, sand without which
Clara never would have blessed me with her
hand. These years ofprobation have proved
my sincerity; and Lady Ponsonby Ga severe
and scrutinizing judge pronounced my ref
ormation complete, ere she permitted me to