St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-11-26

| 70 ucT WnaC COOk pace dt thaC tEOuDicu
interview, but it was possible she might
have overheard. He took measures to
ascertain, if he could, the truth but
they were Of no avail. The woman's
sullen answers revealed nothing, and
Philip ceased at las. to question, though
not to suspect her.
| With stern sclfdiscipline, Philip
wcaned himself from every thing con-
nected with his unfortunate passion,
hoping to find, as once before he hid
found, in labor, solace and torgctfnlness.
The struggle, though sharp, was in a
measure successful, aud he calmed down
by degtees into content. It would
have been harder to him had He sevh
how dim the fair face of Honor grew
beneath the cruel blow dealt her in her
trustfulncss ; and had he heard the apo:-
ogies she made for him to her own heart,
he would most surely have been tempt
ed back. Her Sex naturally, it may be
assumed, would deal lightly with such
an offensc. A woman perha1s Was
wr0tised, but wctiian was the gamer
and promises arc but words. Honor
was angry with him, it must be confess
ed; but rather because he faltcred than
because he allowed himself to be tempt
ed.. "She had no right to exact such u
promise; he had no right to give it :;
but the fault was hers. Oh! Philip,
had you urged this as some would have
urged it,. l think l should have fcrsiv.
en- t0u." So unused tile woman he
loved and it was we'll .ol Philip he
could not know
With great chivalry of character,
| Hcnor never disclosed to her guardian
| their engagement and he naturally at
tributed it to some petty quarrel orig
mating in difference Of disposition
'You must make it up, Honor" he said
more than once. "Writc to Philip,
and bring him back" But of course
Honor never wrote, and Philip never
came.
Several months had passed away,
when Philip Stourton's hvusckccpcr
was taken seriously i'll. Meeting the
doctor after one of his visits, Philip
asked how his patient progressed. IL
will not disguise from you," was the
reply, "that she is in great danger. l
fear she will never recover"
~ trust you arc mistaken, doctor" :"
hlqi!l Rhll,ilin ,s SAID II could i'll affurd to lose
vant."
The same evening Philip visited the
! sick room, and perceived too plainly
that he had heard the truth. A pecu.
liar expression came over the pale hard
features of the housekestet when she
observed his entrance, and there was
an anxiety in her manner Of replying
to his inquiries which attracted his at
tenti0n.
"Are We alone ?" she asked.
Philip replied in the affirmative.
81 wished much to see you. know
I shall not live long," she continued !;
"and there is a matter nearly concern
ing you, of which I feel it my duty to
something about your late wife,
my beloved mistress"
Her voice was steady, her manner
resolute; but she paused, as if dcbat-
ing with herself whether or not to pro-
ceed. Philip asked if she referred to
the letter received by Honor West
wood.
eyes, to that, and something beside.
Mark, sir, do not confess I have done
wrong. l do not believe It, and 1 do
not repent of what I have done. But
if had lived, l should have broken
silence some day, aud feel hive no
right to take my secret out ef the world
With me. Listen nursed Mrs. Stour-
ton when she was child, and I loved
her. - Before she died, she called mc to
her, and con6dcd to me bow in the first
dreadful moment when the knowledge
OF her fate came upon her, she had cx-
acted from you al oath that sou would
, never tttatfy again. She told me: that
in a calmer hour she had considered and
repcnted Of the act, but that the sub.
ject was too painful to be revived be-
twixt you egain. She intrusted to me
letter which she had written to you,
and cnjoincd me to deliver 1t to you
when she was dead, That letter | new
er delivered" !;
Philip was struck dumb BY the avow-
al;;' the old affection and the new hope,
both starting to life at the sound of the
dying weman's voice, clashed together
within his heart. ,
| - The housekceper went on ]: "Of sec:
ond marriages l do not approve, and |
do not believe they are ha SPY ones. It
was enough for. me that my darling
wished you not to marry again. She
might unsay the words, but she could
not unsat the wish, aud I followed her
wish. Had you not your children to
console you,. and was ! not better to
them than stcp-mothcr could be r. !
However, l am leaving you now, and
you may work your will: 1 Iswrote the
letter to Miss Westwood. II do not say
forgive me for all this, for l have pray
t1ed to heaven for guidance, and my con
science docs not condemn me- - ~ ~ I
"Nurse, you have acted a strange
part J. L might reProach you, save that
you are so near to the time when you
will be judgedby higher power: -
fHNyE - 4. -e.Ai \ 2SS