The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-07

bap.atu hay PURPOSE; utuce nCr aqua
tion," thought Mr. Warning, and he cover
ed bis face with his hands to SHUT the sight
OF her from before him. Is 9
Presently he,ross. I'D. 81 .-...
Alice, shall go to my room; have
letters TO write, aad-I--I--might be in
the way."
She turned to him with such q mute ex-
preston of anguish that be uttered an ex
c.amation OF horror and surprise. She
stretched out her hands to him as ii n wild
entreaty. He sprang to her side Her
hands were c0d and lifeless as those of a
corpse.
"Alice, darling he murmured, "do not
look in that way! All will be WE'LL You
will, you must be happy. God bless you
and-h6m!" - .e+- -
He hurried from her presence, unable to
bear it moment longer.
The morning came; the morning Of a
day fraught with deep interest to Alice Ley
man the day that must part her from Mr.
Warning and decide the fate of Captain
Hay-for Alice had petitioned for time to
think.
She came down to the breakfast room.
looked almost like living statue-so calm,
SO pals. Mr.. Leyman was not down yet,
but figure stood at the window.
"Good morning, Cousin Jonathan"
He started at the sound of her voice.
"Good morning, Alice. have lovely
day for my journey"
"Very. When do you gO"
In an hour"
Then must give you your breakfast. F"
"You shall :; but first l have a word to
say to you. Nay, dear, do not be afraid.
1t is to tie no lecture this time. Tis only
to tell you how deeply, how fervently pray
that the lot in life you have chosen may be
happy one"
He had meant to be very calm, but his
voice faltered, and uDknowingly he almost
crushed the small hand be held in his own.
she raised her calm sad eyes to his face
"And you care this much for me, Cousin
Jonathan ?"
Care, Aiice?"
I" did not think you cared SO mich. l
am very, very glad"
She spoke SO low that it was almost a
whisper; but suddenly claspipg her hands,
and holding one of his to her heart, she
went on to speak-vehemently passionateiy
all her assumed calmness gone.
81 know you areso true, SO noble, so good,
seem but weak, erring child but do not
think--oh never think--that all your kind.
ness to me can be forgotten, or that my
heart is not full of gratitude for every gentle
word you ever spoke And more than all,
for telling me when was wrong, which 10
one else ever did,"
She would have spoken more, but some~
thing in his face arrested her. His voice
sounded hoarse and unnatural.
"Alice, hush You know not what you
do" A change came over her. She drop.
ped his hand, and with both her own press.
ed tightly upon her breast, as if to stay the
beating of her heart, stood gazing upon
him with sorrowing eyes and parted lips
from which all shade of color had faded.
He passed his hand across his forehead
and turned from her.
Alice, leave me. In mercy leave me"
But she stood as though rooted to the
floor, "Would to God l loved her less p
burst from him like gr0an.
She heard him, AID her lips moved, her
arms we're stretched out to him one uDcer-
tain step forward and she fell senseless at
his feet.
\ X
Cousin Jonathan did not leave for Boston
that day, but Captain Hay did leave for
the South, and when the winter was gone
Mr.. Warning returned to his home, but be
did not go alone.
Alice went with him and lived happy
woman for she had ever one with her who
could guide her right, and whom she loved
with all her soul. But, though Mr.. Warning
was her husband, she was always fond, 10
her playful moods, of addressing him as
Cousin Jonathan, still.