The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-04-07

sau DloW TO her loving heart to fint
disobcdience and deception where she
had imagined all was openess ant
truth.
May" said she, after few mo.
ment's silence, "Nlay, you have done
very, very wrong. You should never
have married Louis Meringcr without
his fathers or my consent Your sta
tions were too far removed. lIappi.
ness seldom grows out ofsuch connec-
tons, for they are almoset always the
offspring Of passion. would rather
see my darling child the wife OF any
honest lad in the ncighborhood than
the bride Of the proud Squirc's son;
however. as it is done, there remains
but one course to persuc. AS am
unable to 20 out, will send for Mr..
Meringer and acquaint him with ALL"
"Oh, no! my dear mother" cried
May, starting to her feet, "you must
not; | will see Louis tomorrow after
noon, and let him know tha. have
told you all; he can then break the
news to his father, and will know best
how TO do it,"
After u moments reflection, Mrs.
Herbert concluded this would be 81
better arrangement, and there, for the
present, it rested.
The following afternoon May went
up to the Hall. At the entrance she
met Louis; he was passing her with q
slight bow Of late she had noticed
that. at times, he would be cold and
distant towards her; but this act was
more pointed than any she hal before
observed: it startled, but at the same
time gave her fresh courage. She
laid her hand lightly upon his arm.
Louis, can | see you after give
Alice her !esSon?'
"Ccrtainly, if you wish,' he replied;
but il your business is not Of impor-
tancc, would rather you would post
pone the meeting, as | am otherwise
engaged for this evening
Time WAS when all engagements
vanished before her ighteSt wish.-
May remembered this; but, hiding the
emotion it awoke, she answered calm
ly--
my business is of Importance,
Louis, and must see you.
/ Then | will meet you" he answered
as he turned and went down the steps.
When May came out she found
| Louis standing at the gate; he opened
it as she approached, and without a
word they both went forth into the
road. For sometime they walk on
thus, May valnly striving to gain
courage to break what she knew
would be unwelcome tidings to him,
but which, nevertheless, he must hear.
Suddenly he looked up.
"lf you have anything to communi-
cate, you had best let me know it at
once he exclaimed, for as the clouds
are gathering, we must make haste.
May raised her head. The light
clouds which had been floating around
all the afternoon were now black and
thrGatning, while the strong wind,
which came in uncertain gusts, fore
told Il storm of unusual violence. She
had not noticed this before, nor how
near they were to the cottage, Of which
she could now catch a glimpse, peep
ing out from among the trees by which
it was surrounded; but her compan-
ions words now aroused her, and BY
strong effort driving back her fears,
she spoke.
Louis, have told my mother of orr
marriage; she insists on having it made
public Immediately. Will you do so!"
There was slight tremor in Mays
voice as she conluded, and her eyes
were raised, half-fcarful, hall-bcscech-
ingly to his; but neither look or tone
seemed to affect him, as in cold. meas
ured tones, he asked
What is ityou wish me to do, May
"Why, to acknowledge me as your
wife, certainly" she replied.
A few steps more brought them to
the cottage gate.
"Well, May" said Meringcr, as he
leaned indolently against the railing,
"we have been talking nonsense now
for a whole year, 50 what say you to u
little sensc"
"What mean youl" asked May,
quickly.
"Simply this; that your love must
have been binding, or your vanity
excessive, if you ever seriously sup
posed that / had married you; the mar
riage was illegal; you arc not my
wife,
"You are jestng, Louis; we were