Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-09-16
STANTON AUGUSTA COUNTY VIRGINIA. SEPTEMBER 1e 1859
would pass my whole life with you but it
must not be-" a H ..,
Who shall prevent it, if we are resell

would pass my whole life with you; but it
must not be-" W ..-
"Who shall prevent it, if we are resell
we'd 2" EVA fa@ +,a
"Our fathers, John. We are bound by
every strong tic of duty, of affection, and Of
honor, to sacrifice our will to theirs. These
were principles justified into me from earli-
est infancy; and skall Inow swerve from
them, and bring a parents gray hairs in
sorrow to the grave? Never. But do not
suppose that I have come to this determin-
alton without struggle. Often and often
have | prayed to be taught my line of du-
ty, and strengthened in my purpose to full
81 it; and even now my rebellious heart"- -
And she paused.
go on--go on, Mary" exclaimed John.
eagerly. "Sweetest girl, Icould listen to
you for hours
"Oh spare me, John; I must not--dare
not-say more. ] have said too much al.
ready"
You have, indeed. Mary" replied her
lover, gloomily; too much, 1 fear, fol
your own happiness, and far too much fol
mine. Think better Of it-pray, thinl
better Of it, my love- What though my
father cast me off? Have I not hands p
Have not youth, strength, perseverance
and 6xedness Of purpose? And Oh, Mary
with you by my side, in some place far re
moved from this, to cheer and feed me with
your smiles, what task is there that could
not succeed In ~
Affected by the energy with which ht
spoke, Mary made no reply. Trevanio1
pressed his advantage.
''Think, love, of the happiness that is il
store for US, if we do but dare to obey thu
dictates Of our heart. Every thought, ev
cry wish, every action Of our lives show
that we were born for each other. Our
tastes are the same-the same, or nearly
50 our ages. Why then should we be divi.
ded 2"
s'Tempt me no more, john" exclaimed
Mary, while the tears streaming down hel
cheek, told far more emphatically than
words the struggle that was preying at hel
heart; Il dare not act as you would wish
| cannot ally myself with a family that cas-.
is me off, or plant dagger in my fathers
breast. No, John; have pride and"
''Heartless girl" replied John, Interrupt
ting her impetuously. fe.l
s'Heartless !? Oh. John, I thought you
knew me; but you do not, or you would
the sacrifice I am making for your
sake. Do you think I have not suffered
as well as yourself? When my poor father
knelt in tears before me, and besought a
solemn promise that I would abandon for
ever all thoughts Of an alliance with your
family,-when he adjured me on pain of
his lasting displeasure, to tear thst hope
from my breast, which I feel is become
with life itself, even then [ hes
itated but when be added that not only
would my disobedience infiict certain curse
On him, but as certain ruin on you,-then
John. my mind was made up. and for your
sake I consented to sacrifice which half
1enied to fathers entrcaties; and yet you
,all me heartless John, John, I can die
or you, but cannot, I will not, become
ne means Of thrusting you from your home,
md consigning you to remorse without ho-
,e, and poverty without end or limit. Ask
ne any thing but this / will wear out my
life single fer your sake; but I will not
BRING down the curses of two parents on
7onr head"
In woman who truly loves-the remark
s trite, bue will bear repetition -theae is
holiness, a purity, disintcrestedness say
ather total, unhesitating abandonm ent
f self-whlch man con never reach, and
lot often appreciate. John was affected,
le was not convinced be Mary's generous
levotion.
MARY" he said, and not without stern
less, "you told me but just now that your
athcr had made you promise to hold no
more clandestine meetings with me. Have
you obeyed him p
Mary hung down her head
Il deserve this reproach," she said, but,
east of all from you When you told me
n your letter that you would not survive
ny refusal to see you, what could do? !
vent to my father, acquainted him with
our threats, and solicited his advice; and
e, trusting to his daughters honor, gave
ne permission to see you once more. John
am here for the last time"
The air Of deep heartfelt solemnity with
which Mary said this convinced John he
lad nothing more to hope. He walked on
With her few minutes in gloomy silence,
ill at length his feelings could not be con-
rolled and he said, in voice broken with
grief
$50 you give me up, Mary? Be it so;
out remember that by so doing you have
vrung heart that beat for you and you
,nly. True, this is our last meeting
Within week quit home, perhaps for
,ver."
Forever. John?'' asked Mary, with a
altering voice. ''Say not so; you will re-
urn in brief space Your lot in life may
,e changed your father may relent; mine
nay give me back my promise, and we may
7et be happy together. Do not say forever,
Tohn."
''Forever. Why should stay lingering
lere, where every scene look on reminds
ne Of past happiness, and present suffering?
No, I 60 to find in other climes-how vain
he task the peace denied me here"
Mary made no reply, for she was drown
ID in tears Her bosom heaved she trem-
,lcd all over like an aspen leaf. Trevan-
on marked her emotion.
Sweetest, sweetest girl" he said, fold
ng her passionately in his arms, recall
7our rash determination, ana bid me be
,appy. Let us fly this hated place. What
ire fathers to MS 2"
"John, John, have pity on me my heart