Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-10-02
IRASBURGH. VERMONT, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 1868

tant part OF the rooln' III inooay anu
thoughtful manner
Edward, are you i'll ? kindly inquired
Louise, as she stood by bis side, her
hand resting on his shoulder.
No, but | fear am an intruder, and
have interrupted most interesting tete-a-
tete, if / may judge from the appear
ance when came in" he replied,
gloomily.
The voice of Louise slightly trembled,
and tears filed her dark eyes, as she
said To hear you speak thus, Edward,
grieves my heart,-you know you are
always welcome, both to Clarence and
myself. We had been sitting in the
gathering twilight for some time, expect
ing you, and making some plans for the
future"
Edward drew Louise to a seat beside
him, as be said, 4, ,,too, have been form
ing plans for the future, and have come
to submit them to you, hoping for your
approval. My house, as you well know,
is now ready for occupancy, and it is now
my wish to be married, soon as you may
think proper to appoint the day. The
place here will rent for a good income,
while Clarence, Of course, will leave
school and serve an apprenticeship to
some useful trade. Should he select that
of ship-carpenter, Mr.. Foster will be
very ready to employ him as an apprenN
tice. Now, Louise, what say you to my
plans and propositions ?
Edward she replied, 4 cannot ac-
quesce, or consent to them"
A sudden flush of anger overspread
her lovers face as he said, in some
what naughty tone of voice, viii you
give me your reasons for this hasty de-
esion ?
Certainly, I will she replied, For
the present | must share my home with
my brother,-and he will not leave the
Academy till be is prepared to enter col
lege. 1t is the desire and purpose Of his
heart, as it also was that of my fathers,
for him to obtain an education, and pre-
pare himself for some profession
%, Edward, she continued, in a sub
dued, but firm voice, 1t is only three
short weeks ago | promised my dying
mother, calling Heaven to witness my
VOW, that l would never leave Clarence
in the tender years Of his boyhood, and
my home should be his home so long as
he might choose to share it with me-
Louise said Edward, in an irrilated
tone of voice, 1T is mere folly to talk in
this manner; Clarence has already an
education sufficient for all practical pur-
poses, and it is vain for poor boy like
him to aspire to anything higher. Too
long has he been INDUCED to have bis
own way, and it were now better to place
him in a position where he will encoun-
ter some of the clouds, as well as the
sunshine, of life. 1t will be much more
judicious to invest the money it must
cost for his collegiate education, in stocks
or mortgages,-something that will bring
you in good interest
Louise started to her feet as though
she had heard the hiss Of noisome SER
pent at her side,-a deep flush Of indig-
nation burned on her cheek, as she said,
Edward Cameron is it you, whom |
have ever regarded as the very soul ot
honor, truth, and justice, who can thus
counsel me to prove recreant to my sa-
cred vows registered, it may be, by the
angels in Heaven, and break the solemn
promise made to a dying parent, and thus
defraud an only brother of his just rights?
God forgive you, and help me, as lie
now does, to spurn such wicked counsel
with contempt
For a moment, anger and chag-in
crimsoned the face of the selfish young
man with shame, as he listened to the
just accusations, as they fell from the
lips of the heroic and undetermined girl
but quickly recovering his usual self
possession, he said, Louise, is this a
proof of your devotion and affection,
thus easily to forsake me for the cons
panionship of your brother"
Edward replied Louise, in a low,
calm voice, Il have no wish to forsake
you, for God knows how truly and faith
fully l have loved you, and am willing
to prove it by any sacrifice consistent
with my sense of duty and highest con-
victions of right
But said Edward, you are not will
ing to give up tnis idle fancy you have
for making a mere pet of Clarence, and
indulging him in every whim he sets bis
heart upon ;-neithel are you willing to
persuade him to acquiesce in the reason
able plans | have formed for the ad-