Washington telegraph., 1862-02-12


the State. He had spent long time in
Europe, and on the Coniineut-conye ersed
huently in French, and gave many anus
ing and animated descriptions of the non
sense and customs Of foreign people, and
the scenes through which he had passed;
all of which was like adding new life and
viror to the cherries and monotonous life
of Mr.. Norton Sill it was with a feel
Ing of reluctance that he gave his consent
to his union with Aline lie had witness
Sed certain dissipateG habits in his dispo
,itiou which d.sinclined him to his mar
riage with his only child, the idol aud
pet of all his old friends. But his maid.
eu sister, Miss Phebe Norton, had been
captiva,ed with his graceful aud winning
nauuers, aud could hear to no refusal. =
Her darling AlIce must not be thwarted.
1t could not be expected that a young
man Who had such large fortune at his
command, would not be slightly dissipat-
ed, at times. But marriage would reform
him. 1t would add greatly to their pres
cut happiness, to have such a courteous
aud social gentleman as Henry Malcombe
for Aline's husband. And Aline's step>
sister, who had welded rather dasbng
man herself, had written to say that
Aiine must have her choice. That her
father had one consolation; Mr.. Malcombe
bad no near relatives, and consequently
would make his future home with him,
which would not be like robbing them of
their pet entirely.
1t was chill and bitter November eve
II ,h of cl
sionally driven against the narrow win
dows of Myrtle Hedge. The heavy dam-
ask curtain had been lowered over the
windows and lay piled in long folds on
the rich tapestry carpet. Beautiful exot-
lcs filled the apartments with their rich
perfume Here in the same spot where
she had sat just six months previous, sat
AIine Norton The same wild song sent its
thrilling echoes along the broad hall, ac
companied by the plaintive howl of the
black setter that lay crouchiug at her feet.
The same horseman set on his iron gray
charger, listening with as much eagerness
as when he had been captivated by that
wild strain. But Aline had another
li@tner on this occasion; aud when she hid
finished singing. the door was opened
gently by one who had always felt conf
dent of a warm reception. He sprang 10
her side, and the words "Julian" aud
"Aline' passed quickly between them.
Then followed long, silent aud passionate
iembrace, from which Aline strove in vain
to disengags herself.
"Oh, Ahue, how have longed for this
meeting; how often have vowed in my
absence tha, | would learn my fate at
your hands as soon as my return. Speak
10 me Aline; say that you are all my own,
that here in thi, your happy home | may
come and dwell, and aid YOU In soothing
your fathers declining days, for he could
mt part from his pet, c'uld he dearest!
Do YOU love me, Alinel am | worthy IL
cali you wife,
Julian Wills, if 1 had ever loved you
otherwise than as brother. which heav-
en- is my witness that do not, you would
be too late. for am to be the wife OF
Henry Malcombe to morrow"
, "You, Aliue, you, with all your beauty
. innocence and intelligence: to be the wife
5 of this gambling profigat who viii! bring
S curse upon your hitherto happy life
On. if You should hate me | could be
r reconciled; but to see you his wife, can
h not. He is all but a nuisance, and he
! will be worse than one, if he dares to
e mate his furnished name with Aline Nor
Y ton. Take back this vow, ii will wither
D all Of your bright hopes. Aline, and leave
: you only desolatiou aud sorrow"
, 81 cannot, Julian, L love Henry Nal
combe. IL he is the loose one you have
, described hin. after your long absence !
; do not mar my bridal eve with this un'
pleasant scene | have vowed to be Hen
that VOW"
Then We part forever. | beg youI
pardon; | forgot that | am trespassing
, on anothers rights Friend Aline, God
in his mercy shield you" Julian had
) scarcely pronounced these words, and
passed from the house, when Henry Nal
couibc stood before Aine, and demanded
, the right to know why Julian Wills had
, been permitted to defame him in heI
presence. "But no, AIine, 1 wrong
you" said Malconbe; am as wild as he
, has represented me vile as l know
him to be noble and pure, and all unwor'
thy as [ know myself to be, rather thar
see you the wife Of another this said
he drawing dagger from his breast
''shall send us both to premature grave
"Spare, oh, spare me this horrid allu-
sion, Henry" said Aline covering hei
face with her hands, while a cold shiver
ran through her whole frame. Malcomb'
!, stood silently regarding her, when Julian
again sprang to her ride, and knocking
the weapon from his hand, he spurned II
with his foot, remarking As he did so:
"How dare you menace this lady Id
: such brutal manuer!'
e "Aud who are you that darcs to insul,
, me thus?" said Malcombe, laying his hand
upon his pistol.
''I AIN Julian Wills, who stands ready
to give you any satisfaction that an hon.
orable gentleman can DESIRE"
''Ob, Julian, Julian, how can you of al
, others, make my fathers house such q
!. scene as this!' said Aliue rising and
. standing between them. She laid her hand
on each of them and said, ''Gentiemen