St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-04-18

went over the pale, proud face of
Leonard Street, flashed out Of his
deep-sct, brown eyes, and cmled his
lips.
1t was still early in the Winters
evening. They could hear the con-
stant hurrying tread of feet outside,
and the rumbling of the omnibuscs,
but in the stting-room no sound broke
the silence but the soft voice of the
French clock on the mantle.
ut last the young man rose up, and
commenced pacing the room with hur-
ried, agitatcd strides. He was a man
of remarkable sclf-control, and Grace
knew that it was no light thing which
could thus move her brother. She
looked up at him the tears were held
in check on the golden-brown lashcs,
for a strong, brave heart beat under
the sweet, girlish face. 1t took on
now something of that calm, resolute
expression which had always individ-
ualized the countenancc Of Leonard
Street.
Grace rose up and went to her broth
er, aud laid her hand on his arm. His
first glance at her face told her that
his spirit chafed under even this light
touch but her voice, steady and ten
der, indorsed the calm, bright eyes
that looked into his own
"Leonard it is not right to treat me
like this. l am old enough to know
and share your trouble. Tell Inc what
it is"
He looked down on her doubtfully,
and softer expression supplanted
the angry one in his eyes, for the girl
face had now the look which always
took Leonard Street back to the time
when he said his prayers with his
mothers face bending over him as the
faces of angels did in his dreams, and
the need and yearning for a woman's
sympathy, which the strongest and
bravcst mans heart feels sometimes,
came over him.
"Did | speak cross to her just now
my little sister," he said ;"l didn't
mean to, but / am in great trouble ;
so great that she can not help me-"
"Tell me first, and let me sec )"
and now her small, soft fingers had
gone up among the short, brown
locks. and rested there soft as snow
flakes on patches of brown grass.
"Gracie, | am in great trouble,
and the proud man spoke the words
now with a mute appeal in his eyes.
She did not answer him with true
womanly instinct she drew him to ar
ottoman by the fire, and throwing her
self into the armchair, she laid hi:
head into her lap, and then she Leaned
down and whispered, is it abou
Margaret, Leonard ?"
1t cost him struggle, rs it doe'
all proud, self-reliant natures, to give
even to the gen,lcst heart the deepes
secret Of their own but the answer
came in moment.
yes"
"Tell me, Leonard"
And in the next half hour, its pulses
throbbing softly away in the silver
voiced clock, Grace Street knew the
great sorrow which had come sudden
ly to her brothers heart.
Margaret Allyn had been for tive
years his betrothcd wife. She was
the daughter of retired merchant
an old and warm friend of the young
lawyers father. She was in the frs
blossoming of her womanhood am
the beautiful face, and the graceful
figure were only fitting illustration
of the graciousncss Of soul and of th'
true warm heart of Margaret Allyn.
/ Her life of wealth and luxury ha'
not spoiled her, and though she ha'
many suitors, all that was best anC
noblcst in her nature responded to tn
affection of Leonard Street. Th
: course of their love had hitherto ru
, smoothly, and there was little DANCE
of any misunderstanding transpirin
between the two, unless the prd,
which somewhat marred the fine graf
of both their characters, should som
time be rashly awakened by cithc
party. Perhaps both needed shar
discipline, for neither suspected tina
a root of bitterness lay at the found;
ton of their natures, which springln
up might some time poison the swet
waters of their tenderness. Each wa
9 full of lofty resolve and self-sacrilice
n each generous, impulsive, noble b'
: the hour of revelation was needed t,
s both, and it came.
= Leonard Street had made an e.
: gagcmcnt to leave the city on som
: professional business, and had i
d formed Margaret of his intended a
e sence. Subsequent letters from h
d client caused delay in his departur
+ and he was greatly surprised to iii
d Margaret cloaked and hooded for
: slcigh-ride, when he called at h
|: house in the evening.
d "Are you going out with your
g ther, Maggie ?" -.
= "No;" a little flush broadencd {
a rosebuds that were always on t
ID point of blossoming in the checks
l. Margaret Allyn, and there was a litl
s, embarrassment in her manner as s.
II drew off her glove /; but she answer
STRAIGHTFORWARD and truthfully, for t
girl was incapable of deception
was going with Justin Howard"
t. Leonard Streets brow darken
er with pain and anger" | would Il
til have believed, Margaret, that y
would avail yourself Of my absence
fc ride out with man whom detcst
is The severe tones stung the prof.
It spirited girl. "You have no right
- Judge me, Leonard, till you have hea
H. my defence" She stood erect nc
s. her sweet lips flushed and half SEQ
III ful, and her blue eyes looking up c.
ly and half defiant into those Of the m
in for whom Margaret Allyn would gli
ld ly have laid down her life.
ID At that moment the door.bell raj
and Justin Howard entered the pari
yh The two men had been classmates, |
en- they barely recognized each otl
he now.
ed Justin Howard was the son oi
se, millionaire, and a former visitor
rs. Margret's. He was indolcnt, sup
l.Ltx, ms at