The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-10-21

PIE cnance OF retrieving fortune so wholly
dissipated to the winds as mine is Mr. Gray,
may I ask you if you came here to night with
any intention of trying to shake the pride
which L showed you when last we met, and
which enforced upon my daughter to imi--
tate z" g 49, 81 .5s4
- 81 came here tonight, Colonel Maine, to
tell Isabel that my lot in life was settled, that
Is poor country minister, could only hope
for bare subsistence to offer to any woman's
acceptance; butstha my heart wns as devoted
to her image as ever, and if pride, or any 9TH
or obstacle still came between as, would on !
y look upon her once more, and than bid her
farewell--but that no other could share my
life, that the dream of my youth, visionary
as itswas, could neyerbe renewed for another -
"By Heaven, Mr.. Gray, L would offer Isa-
bel to your acceptance now, so keenly do feel
her desoiate situation, were it not that you
would have reason to think that would suffer
man to marry my daughter, whom would
not have received when she was in expectancy
of q fortune at my death. But am thankful
that have it in my power to destroy even that
idea, if you should entertain it. Isabel has a
letter from me, dated long before this calam-
nifty was dreamed of-as far back rs January
last, in which distinctly gave her permission
to accept you. Her answer have here"
He took crumbled letter from the private
drawer of desk, and folded down the com
mencement, he pointed to these sentences,
"YouT permission comes too late, dear father,
as [ shall probably never see Horace Gray
again. hear that he has settled in Walford.
will not blame you, but you do not know how
much have suffered"
"Nor," continued Mr.. Maine, "can she
know what have suffered, for that hour o.!
pride and sel6shness. Mr.. Gray, was a faith
er, eager and ambitious of honors for my only
oh he ,ox
ty?" .4.~
Mr. Gray's impassioned assent was preven-
ted be Isabel's entrance, calm and even smil-
ing, as her father had wished She sat down
beside him, not daring to look in bis face,
lest her eomposure should again desert her.
Colonel Maine rose and left them to them
selves. What passed between the lovers that
night, of acknowledgement of error, of the
clearing up of whole years mistakes, of
hope, and trust, and simple. faith for the fu-
ture, no one knew but themselves.
The minister returned to Walford as silent
ly as he went All that the people knew, was
that his sister was there several days before
him, and that his house underwent through
cleansing and freshenihg up. Bright sum
mer flowers adorned the.two rooms which were.
still the only unes into which even Miss Fin
kin was admitted. She had the entree of the
study, to take books whenever she pleased, and
she was now Huttering with excitement to
welcome the minister, tor she had seen his
wlndows oLeu that mornings How was she
disappointed when she found he had not arrived
Alas poor old grill she had a greater disappoint-
ment than that, when on tho next bright, dewy
Sabbath morning, after the congregation we're
all seated, Mr.. Gray was seen opening his pew
door before he assembled the pulpit, to give
entrance to his sister, rand young and beauti-
ful woman. in spotiess bridal white
Fans and smelEng-bo:tles were in requi i
ton that day Miss Finikin almost tainted,
and Cordelia Bright, the deacon's daughter,
who had been fattered into the belief that Mr..
Gray iked her, actually burst into tears
The next Sabbath after Il at, Colonel Maine.
was also present; and at the close of the last
service, the whole society were invited to call
on the minister the next evening
1t would perhaps be beyond belief, if it were
stated that everybody liked the minister's wife;
but it may be safely said. that no minister's
wife ever gave more general satisfaction.
Bellevue waslost to both father and daugh-
Ter, but Colonel Maine gathered enough from
The wreck of his fortune, to keep comforta
Die room at the parsonage at ais own expense
Ind in the decline of his life, he found thatj
he cares and attentions of son, as Horace
Fray truly was to him, were better than hou-
les and lands. And truly, the Frightening
oses on isabei's cheeks were worth all hs lost
it Bellevue.
Mrs. Higgins shakes his head, and says
well you Il never see sneh piece of sculpte,
gin, as that old pulpit was !"