The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-06

''Remember that you have much 10 answer
for, many responsibilities. Above all, take
care that you do not make Others unhappy,
or trae with affection, which, If true, is
more priceless than all the wealth of the
world. You know what mean Alice!"
"Yes."
"Do not raise hopes unless you mean to
fulfill them
She was sobbing in low, subdued manner,
that went to his heart.
"You are not angry with me, Alice?"
Angry with him? If he could only read
her heart.
ave old bachelors arc privileged persons,
you know. Nay, you must not sob in this
way. only wanted to give you word Of
caution before go.
Co.. cried Alice, springing to her feet.
80, arc you going to leave meY"
He was not prepared for this. He hardly
dared trust himself to look on her, rs she
stood there with clasped hands and quivering
lips.
Eyes, lam going back to Lescombc.
have been here too long," he added to him
selc-but she heard the words.
"Too long! Then you have been dull,
lonely. with us-and now you are going !!
o, what shall what shall we do without
you?"
"Nay, Alice, you will hardly miss me.
1t is not Us though were a young man,
and could be more companionable to you.
Besides, my people at Lescombc want me !;
and-but, Alice, do not cry, cannot bear it,
dear child"
That word recalled her to herself. 1t was
better to hear it from him. Yes, he thought
of her ms child and she-shc had dared to
love him, not Us child loves, but as u wo-
man. She had poured out her whole heart
at his feet, and perhaps he knew that it was
so-perhaps he scorned her for il
She dashed the tcar-drops from her eyes,
struggled to stay the sobs that nearly chOked
her, and sat down by his side.
"Tell me about Lescombc."
Lescombc was his home-the manor-houso
of a country village. He told of his tenant
~, and how poor some of them were; OF
the efforts he had made, and was making to
improve their condition of the schools hc
had built, and the pew parsonage nprogrcss;
of how he visited among them, and tried to
| win their confidence and love; and, as Inc
spoke so earnestly and truthfully Of all this,
| his homely face to her seemed beautiful, with
higher beauty than that of mere form,
and she felt, as she had often felt before,
that to be his wife would be the happiest lot
| on earth, and one of which she was un-
worthy.
Mr.. Waring was in reality but a distant
connection of her fathers; but Alice had
/ known him since she was a little child, and
| the name of "Cousin Jonathan" given to
| him then was retained in after years. She
| had always looked upon him rs her friend,
unconsciOusly had learnt to love him rs wo-
man loves but once. The very fact of his
being SO many years older than herself had,
for timo, blinded her as to the real nature
of her feelings but when she met with that
love from Others, which she would then have
given all the world to possess, she knew how
it was, and bitter, very bitter, were the pangs
of wounded pride in her young heart.
"When do you leave us?" asked Alice,
rs she rose to quit the room.
"To-morrow, The replied, without looking
at her.
That night they had an engagement, Al
! ice made tea for them in the drawing room.
"My darling, are you not well?" said Mr..
Braybrookc, taking her hand in his.
Mr.. waring looked earnestly at her for a
moment. \ bright crimson spot burnt on
: each cheek, but there was q liyid circle round
her eyes. and her lips were almost colorlcss.
A strange thought came over him-a thought
that made his pulse bound wildly, and his
hand tremble.
Could it be so? He tried to put the
thought from him. lie dared not dwell up
on it.
The footman entered. "Captain Ray is in
the library"
"Why did you not show him in here ~
asked old Bra, brooke sharply.
He asked to see you alone, sir
Alice had risen and walked to the fire.
place, where she stood holding the mantle
shelf with both hands, but Mr.. Waring had
caught a glimpse of her face us she passed
it was deathly pale. Her father left the
room.
Z. There was dead silence.
'She knew of this, hence her agitation,
thought Mr.. Waring, us he covered his eyes
with his hands, to shut out the sight of her
from before him.
The silence continued unbrokcn, and he
I felt his selfconrol descrting him.
Alice, shall go to nay room. | have
letters to see tO-and-I might bc in the
/ way
She turned to him-such mute express
ion of anguish on her face that he uttered
an exclamation of horror and surprise. She
stretched out her hands to him, as though
in wild entreaty. He sTrang to her, clasp
ing her hands, like death, so cold, 30 life
less.
Alice, darling, do not look in that way !;
all will be well. You will be happy-you
must. God bless you and him !!
He hurried from her presence, feeling un-
able to bear it u moment longer.
The morning came-the morning of day
fraught with fearful interest to Alice Bray
brooke-the day that must part her from
Mr.. Waring, and decide the fate of Captain
Ray, for Alice had petitioned time to think.
She came down to the brcakhst.room look
ing almost like living statue, so calm, so
pale. MIR. Braybrooke was not yet down,
But figure stood in the deep bay win
dow.
Good morning, Cousin Jonathan"
lie started and turned ut her voice.
Il have beautiful morning for my jour
ney.'
Very, What time do you go''
In an hour
then must give you your breakfast
You shall but first have word to say
to you. Nay, Alice, do not look afraid; It
is no lecture this time-only to tell you how
deeply, how fervently, pray that the lot in
lifcyou have chosen may be n happy onc.'
lie had meant TO be very calm, but his
voice faltcrcd, and, unknowingly, he almost
crushed the delicate hands, rs he held them