Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-03-11
WHOLE NUMBER 428.

Z
and vine wreathed portico. The dew
fell slowly and silently into the lifted cup,
OF the tube roses. Except the distant
surge of the sea it was as still as if the
whole scene, in its dark, soft loveliness
were a magic picture, that vanished while
you yet looked in wonder. Presently q
low thread of melody stole out into the
night silence, few rich chords followed
and the delicious sweetness of one oi
Mendelssohn songs, without words
swayed upon the pulseless air.
II ceased soon, and then heard Lou
ise order lights, and throwing down my
cigar left the yerandah. Louise was
looking over some music as | entered the
room, but she threw it aside, and sat
down in the full light of the chandelier
hooked at her with admiration, and a
touch of exaltation that my good fortune
had so wrought that might win so peer,
less a bride. sat down near her.
Louise l had adopted this familiarity
of late, your father tells me that you are
prepared to listen kindly to what wish
to say to you Tonight
You may 90 on, sir
had paused a moment 10 shape my
thoughts into words, ,and she turned round
and looked me in the face. Something
in her manner startled me.
You may 20 on, SIR?
The request was uttered in hard, de-
fant tone. Her face was strangely pale.
Il was about to make you proposal,
which was assured would be entertain
ed kindly. If | have been deceived |
have no further explanation to make
You have not beer deceived, SIR
Then, Louise, have only to ask if
you will be my wife ? Protestations and
lovers vows would hardly become me,
and you will not expect them. If you
will be content with the position | can
give you, have no doubt we shall agree
very well. Do you assent TO this, Lou
ise?'
Her colorless lips shaped the words
| do bur no sound was audible. Some
vehement feeling sent shifting lights and
clouds over her face. 1t occurred to me
that she might regret the freedom she
was resigning. | FASTENED to reassure
her.
You need not apprehend any restraint
from me. | have no wish to abridge
your enjoyment, or interfere with your
amusemenIs.
She rose, and vivid color flashed in
to her face.
Il shall not allow you to do either
And now if you please we will termi-
nale this conference
And bowing me goodnight, she swept
from the room with her usual qneenly
grace. She left me, and directly there
arose before my inward vision a sweet
face, soft blue eyes looked into mine, and
a shower Of sunny curls danced in my
sight.
0, Ethel, Ethel, is it for this proud
woman's gold that ! have given up your
love ? But the weakness passed in a
moment. Dreams of golden stores yet
to be won came to dazzle me, and that
sweet face faded and was forgotten. The
wedding was appointed for Christmas,
Now and then the remembrance of Ethel
returned to haunt me, and day by day |
postponed my design of writing to her.
At last there was no need. On the |
day preceding Christmas, letter was
handed me. knew at once that it was
from Ethel. She wrote to me but sell
dom now, and within the last year my
letters to her had entirely ceased. Glanc-
ing over the sheet saw tha; it was brief.
My heart OWNED its coutenls almost be-
tore the meaning Of its few words of
farewell had entered my mind
Now that all is over (she wrote) find
| can write these last sentences without
pain. There arises in my mind sur
prise that | could ever have suffered so
much from cause that now seems to me
so inadequate. do not wish to affect an
which | have not felt, for
that would be to convict myself Of un-
truth. 1t docs not wound my pride that
you should know that during the last
two years, since | OWNED that your love
for me was dead, and a cold mammou
worship sprung to life in its place, | have
been struggling TO rise to a higher plane,
and forget an unworthy affection. For,
Andrew, it was unworthy that | should
pour out upon you the priceless gold ofa
love you have no power 10 measure in
exchange for so base return. This is
all past now, and speak OF it without 3
bitterness or regret. l have simply out.
lived my love for yol, and it is with en-
ire cheerCulness, and without pain or re-
that bid you farewell.
ETHEL
1t was with a sensation Of sharp, bitter
,hagrin that refolded this letter, locked
t in my drawer, and going down reso.
utely to my counting room, wrenched
ny mind away from the past The feel.
ng died away. Sentiment had too long
ost its control over me TO resume its
way so soon.
The next day was Christmas, not the
old, icy New England festival, but day
ich in bland airs, in skies as blue as mid
ummer, and in countless flowers. LouN 5
Sc was as radiant as any queen of old
omance. When the ceremony was end
ID, and looked in her face, should
ave thought, but that | had never sus- I
,ected Louise of sentimental weakness, /
bat there was a CLEAN of tears in her /
Inc, dark eyes but she turned away -
rom me, and the crowd thronged around
o offer its congratulations.