The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-10-11

MISS MENARD:--I release you from
your engagement entirely, r. HAYwooD.
1t was a stunning blow to poor Vale
sia. With her trouble she went TO Georgi-
anna, and she soothed her with her hon
led words, and the poor child rested Sc
cure of her love, little thinking that the
arch fend in the garden of Eden was not
more subtle than the one whom she styled
her bosom friend.
Valesia'S woman's pride came to her
aid. and supported her we'll; calmly and
uufalteringly she met him time after time
at Oakdale, for he still continued to visit
the home and this Georgianna attributed
to growing partially for her.
But in secre. Valesie suffered, and then
her mothers comforter was hers, and
poured the balm Of Gilead into her woun.
ded breast. She would steal away at
twilight hour,
"When no eye looked upon her brow,
Except the bright lone star
Which shed such tender memories
or childhood's home aiar.
Which gave her back the loving light
ofmany a speaking eje,
And many a sweet familiar strain
Of vocal melody"
Then would her thoughts wander thru
the dim vista of the past, and the vision
of the little cottage beside the sparkling
waters of the Merrimac presented to he.
the only heaven of pure rest she saw in
her dark shadowy future, and tears far
bitterer than those which fell from her
childish eyes when she left it, she nov
shed over its memory, and she felt as tho
she could have borne any thing, could she
have stood in The little grave yard beside
the resting place of her mother. She was
sitting at the parlor table Que evening; a
book lay before her, bu. she was not read.
ing, and ever and amos a scalding tear
would fall upon the page. Gsorgianna
was arranging vase Of flowers. aud Mr..
Menard was closely watching Valesia.-
At length he said, "Sinyl" Valesia started;
she did not know that he was present. and
looked up with the dewy drops still upon
her lashes.
"siny! wish to know why it is that
you are thus changedI' y
Quick as though. Vaesia said, "Uncle
George, want to see the home Of my in
fancy, and my dear mothers grave"
"Is that all, then, my own little niece?
Siny, cheer up, for you shall see it very
shortly"
Roland Haywood and Norris Parker had
from childhood been friends, and although
Roland believed him to be his rival, he still
treated him as usual. lie was sitting in
his room one evening morris came In
with very downcast countenance.
"Why, Norris, man, what is the matter
with you!' you look as if you had world
of care and trouble upon your shoulders,
said Roland, laughing.
"Well, to make a long story short. Hay
wood, have proposed in form to Miss
Valesia Menard ahd-Weh l must say II
Il have been rejected
For several moments Roland could moi
speak; when he did he showed MOLE OIL
the surprise he felt. But he determined
at the earliest opportunity to seek an in
terview with Valesia.
valesia was walking ip grove some dis
tance from the house, when she met Ro
land. She was about to pass on but he
stopped her.
"You can,Lave nothing to say TO me
now, Mr.. Haywood" she said coldly.
"Do not speak TO me thus, Valesia, bu
for heavens sake tell me, did you ever care
for Norris Parker. Were you ever en-
gagged to him" -
Valesia looked with surprise and indig
nation, and demanded why he asked sucl
question. The result Of that converse
ton was, that Roland sought an interview
with Mr.. Menard, and asked him if h,
would give his niece to him. The famil,
were alone in the parlor when Mr.Menarc
said to his wife,.
"There was a gentleman here to-da,
very anxious to release me OF the care o
Siny."
Mrs. Meuard looked up and smiled.
II am in earnest, and as Siny hersel
was not averse 10 the exchange. I hav
consented to give her up. How will yol
like Roland Haywood for nephewH
"Itis just as expected" said Mrs
,Menard. "My dear Valesia, you have. IN.
free consent, you could not have made
better choice. God bless your union"
Georgianna said nothing, but she ms
Velesia's eye aud that was enough. Whe
they were alone she burst into tears. Va
Ilesia sat down beside her and kindly too
her hand, and talked to her in the gentles
words. There was no anger in Georgian
mas heart at that moment, and throwing
her al ms around V alesis she humbly crav
ed her pardon. And that night, for tn
q first time since she Quilted the nurser.
\ and her mothers knee, she bent in s'len