The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-05-31

She went into the parlor, and | follow
ed her, closing the door behind me- and
when we were alone she set the lamp up
on the table. and motoned me to II seat
'No," said /, 81 will not sit down yet.
Give me your hands, Mary"
Mechanically she put forth her hands,
and took them in my own. There was
wondering look in her face, and IA slight
flush had come to her pale checks.
"Mary," l continued, speaking slowly
and softly -and | knew that moisture
was gathering in my eyes-''you must
answer me one simple question. Answer
it as you please, and take my solemn AS
, surance that | only ask it for my good
/ Tell me-Do youlove me No, no
10 not take Your hands away yet. Ans
wcr me if you can. Fear not-O, fear
not for would rather 20 forth into
endless night than do you wrong. Tell
me, Mary, do you love me p
81 cannot speak falsely" she trembling
| ly whispered. "For my own peace per-
haps love you too we'll
"l.isten to me one moment ! added
drawing her nearer to me- 'and when
have told you what l have TO tell, you
shall be the judge"
She did not strive TO free her hands
but she gazed up eagerly into my face,
and her eyes bcamed with hopeful light.
''You know John Stanton ;" | said.
eyes" she replied.
Gle was my best friend while VIC were
at college and our friendship has not
grown less. lie came to see me, and
told the story of the trials and suiitrings
Of one Of the school-mates of his earlier
days O, Mary, think / know very
well why you refused my hand, and |
blame You not. 1t may be that our
paths will he different through life; but
you shall at least know that he whom
you have loved will 50 live that he shall
not be unworthy of your kinde,t remcm-
brancc. | know that my feet have hilh-
crlo wandered into the path of danger,
but hcncetorih / am free from the dread
snare. Under tie new light that has
dawned upon me | hold the wine cup to
be Il fearful enemy, and | will -hun it as
| would shun a shameful life and Il cloud
cd death-bed. For NV own sake will
do this, 50 that my saintcl mother, il she
can look down from heaven upon her boy
can smile opnrovirclv unon tho conrsa he
has chosen. And now. MARY if at some
future time you should feel that YOU can
trust your happiness in my Keeping, you
will rive me some token tberenc and |
will come and ask Won arain for vou.
hand; and should it be my blessed lot to
receive il. [ will devote every ENERGY of
my boina to make your life ioyous and
peacef,l ore"
| let 70 her hands. and bowed NV head
to wipe away tear. | had turned to-
ward the door. really intending TO drpurt
and 1--WE her time for reflection. when she
pronounced my name. | looked back
and her hands were stretched out towards
me.
"Not now" | whisperel. 81 will NOT
ask vour answer vet. Watch me
prove me Only oIya me to knov tb,.
| have your love. and will,
| stoppcd speakinr for NIary's head
had been pillowed upon NV bosom. and
She was weepinr ike 4 chill.
"Now, now" she uttered rs 7 wound
nv arms about her. so Charles |
never doubted your truth. know Won
cannot DECEIVE me. God bless vour noble
resolution and let me helm Won TO keen
it?"
I cannot tell how long I slonpcd that
evening. | can only tell that | was very
happy. and that my prospect of lbe com
ing years was bright ana glorious.
On the following day-a Sabbath. calm
and pleasant-the oroan gave fo~tb q now
strain. The daughters of Zion were no
longer in "A strange land. They had ia
ken their harms down from thc willows
pie, more respondent far than the old.
they sang the songs that had atoretime