North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-03-11

aunt, who rushed in at this juncture. Don't
hold her SO tight. There now, she's comm
round all right, don't You see ?"
The General looked on admiringly-all
his military tactics seemed as nothing to the
deftness with which Miss Betsy managed
matters.
"What could have made you faint, my
love 2" he asked, when she was smiling
again.
81 don't know" she murmured; " it was
the--hcat, | suppose 2"
And where's dim 2" asked the perplex-
ed warrior.
eff you mean that tall young shaver"
struck in Miss Betsy, I" he's gone home ike
fellow of sense, seeing he couldn't be of no
use here"
General St. Aubyn," said Josephine, in
very low voice, " know you will think
Inc silly little goose, but please don't bring
that young man here again."
Josephine, my love, why not 2"
" Because e-because-" faltered the girl,
playing with his watch chain, and hiding her
flushed face against his breast, " its a whim
of mine"
"Well, just as you say JOSIE" said the
old General, d" but must remark, it's pei
fectly unaccountable."
said JosepheDc, trying to laugh. And now
tell me about our new pictures"
But long after the General had gone. the
child bride lay on the sofa, shutting out
heavens light from her eye with closely
clasped hands and breathing out the Wild
wal ling means that can come only from a
broken heart. Poor, sacrificing Josephine
Clare.
When Gen. ST. Aubyn returned to his
room at his hotel, he found James Ashley
pacing the floor with hurried steps.
"Unole," lie said, looking up as the Gen
erai entered, g have changed ny mind a bout
the faraway official pest in India. Win
you obtain the appointment for me 2"
CertaihyJ but, James you would be
obliged 10 sail immediately"
"The sooner the better, sir. Every hour
that remain in this country seems an age
to me-"
",Fam cs" said Gen. St. Au5yn, regarding
his nephew with a keen piercing gaze, what
does this mean2 And why does josephine
object to seeing you again-Thcre is some
mystery here"
:; ,gould to heaven | had died ere | had
gone there to-day" gasped Ashley. "Ask me
no further, Uncle, it is best for tire happiness
of all to bury the past in eternal oblivion"
Gen. ST. Aubyn stood a moment in deep
thought as James hastily quilted the room.
Suddenly new light seemed to break upon
him--he grew deadly pale and clenched his
hands firmly.
% have it he muttered between his teeth
" this is the girl to whom James was engaged
before he went to Europe and that mercenary
sloundrel Clare would have broken beth
their hearts and put me in false position
to secure his own ends
Two long hours Gen. St. Aubyn paced his
room-the mental conflict was sharp and
| fierce. bat the noble heart triumphed. The
next tay he sought Josephine's presence, af
ter a long interview with her father.
Josephine" he said would you object to
celebrating the wedding next week instead OF
| ne xt month ?''
She looked up in surprise.
"A bridegroom is privileged to be impa-
tient," he said lightly.
SIT shall be as you DESIRE" she replied
passIvely.
Pale and lovely as her own pearls, jose
| the church, waiting for the brdegroom's cor
tege 1t length it came, and Cen st. Au-
byn stepped forward.
Josephine he whispered "my gener-
ons noble girl, feared the bridegroom of six
ty would be il-suited to your fresh bloom, and
so have substituted one of one -aad twenty.
goin to be on hand to give away the bride.''
Josephine thought she was in blissful
dream but not was true-and almost ere
she could realize the now state of things, she
was tightly married to James the first and
only love, and the General folding her In his
arms, whispered:
"Your father and have arranged matters
al, right, dearest. Don't thank me, for al
though have lost wife, have gained the
sweetest of little nieces. Pun quite satisfied,
JOSIE"
And SO were Mr.. and Mrs, James Ashley.
UNION LEAGUEs.-We observe that the