The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-01-24


ielt there wasa an ine1plicable mystery In tho
affair; and to rolve deep, skilfully laid
plot, with On artful, designing lawyer to
contend with on one side. and selfish, avari.
eious brother ON the other, was no easy
matter.
annie, my love- said Harry Elton, Il
have told you Of tho blight that has fallen
upon my prospects. Had known that I
was to bo basely robbed Of my patrimony I
would never have askcd you to unite your
destiny with mine. Ny love for you cannot
be- crushed out OF my sodl-it is q part Of my
very existence but 1t should have gone down
to the grave unrevealed and unsupported by
any one. hoped to have been able to od'r
with my heart home ard position In life
worthy Of your acccptance-one which your
birth and education so emincntly BELTS you
to adorn but II Is all over now-the golden
bubble has burst, and have now only
strong arm and q willing heart to depend
upon
.And are not these sufficient to ensure sue
cess2 Cannot mn humble home with love
like ours bc happy oneT asked Annie.
smiling, as she gazed with eyes full Of ad-
miration and tenderness into the face Of her
lover.
And can you relinquish the luxuries to
which you have been 80 long accustomed,
and walk with me the rough pathway In
life. Annie p said Harry, with sigh.
Are not our lives, replied Annie, reproach-
fully, $50 interviewer that the auctuating tide
OF fortune must fail to affect us3 Oh Harry.
you little know the depth and strength ofa
woman's love IL you think the loss OF few
paltry thousands can wean her from the man
she loves =
It seemed ns Il the very fountains Of love
and tenderness within tho soul Of Harry had
suddenly burst forth. With glistenIng eyes
and ovcrlowing heart he answered.
III my golden charms Of happiness have
vanished like varor before mo, so long as
possess the priceless treasure Of your lo'o,my
darling. am rich yes. richer than NIL the
mines Of Australia could make me without
it, were they to open and untold their treas
ure ut my ieet. woald hin linger longer
by my Annic's side (; hut it's late, and duty
bids me go.
Then, with few more words Of endear-
ment q few more assurances Of love, and u
long fond embrace, Harry turned to the door
and sprung into tho dy which was to convey
him to the railway station.
business of u twoiold nature had brought
Harry Elton to York. His principal and
paramount object was to obtain legal advice
in regard to the feasibility Of proscctninga
lawsuit, by which he hoped to upset the will
and to establish his own claims as one Of the
heirs ut law. The next and not unpleasant
duty he had to perform was to visit his
afianced bride. Annie Morris, to whom ho
had been betrothed for more than year.
Il was some two hours ride to the old
homestead from the station at which Harry
left the train; 80 hc engaged a horse, and
set of upon brisk csnter In the hope Of
reaching 1t by eleven o'clock. ltwasa cold,
but calm, clear night. The moon shone out
in oil its brlliancy, and the twinkling stars
lighted up his lonely way; and, as he gazed
into the far-oif distant heavens and contem-
plated upon the infinite power. the majesty
and glory Of the great Creator, his soul was
lost in strange bewildermentof wonder and
admiration. Then he thought Of his Annie,
who, with true woinanly love and devotion,
had poured the balm Of consolation into his
sad. dispirited soul, and had yielded to his
guidance and keeping all the pure, warm af.
fsctions Of her young heart; and Of his
father, whose grave was unwatercd by sim
glo tear, and of the ineIplicablo mystery
which hung over the final settlement Of his
property.
A full hour had passed in one profound,
continual reycrie, when the Gathering of
horses hools behind him made him turn to
SEQ who was approaching. But what was II
that made the blood recede from his face, his
eyes almost start IRON their sockets, the bri-
die drop from his hand. and his feet shake
in the stitrups? Harry was man OF deter
mined bravery. There was no decd OF dar-
ing he feared to attempt; no danger. how
ever imminent, he feared to face. Had he
suddenly encountered q powerful loo, WELD
Ing the implements Of death and destruction.
no would have shed his lies blood be-
fore surrendering but to be unexpectedly
brought into contact with spirits from the
unseen world, clothed in bcdily form, was
enough to appal the s,oute,t heart.
In the rider Of the coal black stecd he rec.
ocnired his father. clad In his accustomed
garb,. a gray coat, and q large, broad
brim,ncd hat, beneath which his thin, silvered
locks were plainly visible; bis face could not
DO distinctly seen, except that "a deadly pallor
oyerhadowed II, and the hand that guided
the spirited animal was dcxterous and skill
ful rs ever; faster and faster he rode, and
nearer and nearer he came. anda voice boans
and solemn as the tomb called out. "Harry!
Harry v'