The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-02-22

b incOmparably pretty that MARX couid ho
help himself, and 500 he kissed her.
The cold grey dawn was beginning Il
shine away in the lowing east, and the fur,
Of the storm was abating. BY eight o'clocl
Mark had another meal prepared, with Lois
aid, and when It was over, the rain hat
nearly ceased. It was timo for dead low
tide, too, and the best chance for crossing
the inlet was ut that hour for tho tempest
was liable to arise again, and the larder o
the hermitage was running low, 80 that u
imprisoned there much longer, the horrOrs
Of starvation would DO added to their Other
sufIerngs.
Sallying forth, they found the way clear
and the inlet, through which fearful tor.
rent had poured the night before, now con.
tained only brawliDg stream, across which
one could easily step. In few moments
Lois and her mother were locked half faint.
ing, in each others arms.
Mrs. Brydon had sat In her chamber, the
same In which Squire Thorely died, by sea.
ward looking window, trying to pierce the
thick darkness with her eyes oil night long
The servants muclSas they loved Lois gentle
presence, could not be prevailed on to make
more than one effort to face the pitilcss ele.
ments, aud so, giving up her only child fou
lost, the poor lady had sat alone, In calm
fearless agony until daylight. As soon al
tho storm had permitted, she sent out sever
al parties Of neighbop and servants to insti
tute general search along the shore. Be
fore these returned, however, Lois was res
tored to her, and her great grief was swal'
lowed up by great joy.
She heard the story of the strange night
passed by Mark and Lois in the hermitage
with q gracious but significant smile.
| do not know what to say to you, Mr..
Thorley, she said, NOR how to express to you
the gratitude ! feel for the kindness you have
shown my child. Ifmy prayers-
DO not speak of 1t madam, beg OF you.
The pleasure found in extending those
rude hospitalities to one $3.50 worthy as
your daughter, has moro than repaid me-
His eyes sparkled and fine color suffused
his handsome face, giving token of his earn.
estness.
Mr.. Brydon looked from one to the other
with an almost comcal expression.
Have you thought, my children, OF the
terrible scandal that will arise from this ro-
mantle advcnturc?' she said quietly. The
neighbors will be in shocking state Of mind
about it.
Lois blushcd.
Il have thought Of It, said Mark, eager.
ly, and have also thought Of way to 81.
lencc evil tongues-at least, to compel them
to speak at their own peril. All | require,
madam, is your CONSENT think have that
OF your daughter already y-to my assump.
tion of the post OF protector to Lois. l shall
then have right 10 repel all malicious or
thoughtless words concerning my charge
may not say my wife p
Lois blushcd still more rosy, and turning
her face away, covered it with one hand.
The other she permitted Mark to take.
| see how It is, said Mrs. Brydon you
two have been playing at the game of hearts,
wherein each loses to the other.-There dc
you want my blcssing?'
She patted their heads playfnlly but Low.
ingly. and q solitary ray of sunshine, break.
ing through tho cloud riffs, illumined their
faces like benediction from above.
Tho hermitage is untenanted now. lthas
rclapsed into its ancient condition of sum.
mer house and shooting box; but the villa
is in state Of splendor and populousness
never known in the old squire's day. Mrs.
Brydon reigns supreme, notable house
vile; and wheu Lois suggests than she may
be ofscrvice in tightening the sclf.imposed
duties her mother has taken upon her, the
old lady laughs at the idea.
There my child, she says, go and play
with your babies. Mark can never spoil
them without your help
Yet Mark did his best to compass that end.
Look back upon this page and marvel !
No designing villain, no wealthy but head.
strong uncle, no obdurato parent, no sad
circumstance of poverty and separation, have
marred the happiness Of my hero and he
roine. They have simply met loved and
married, without matchmaking fate, with.
out wailing over the cold hard world, in q
word without nonsense.
Let me bid you farewell, dear reader, in
the comfortable consciousness of having re-
futed Solonon's dictum, by producing ut
last something new under the SUM-