The weekly union record. [volume] (Oroville, Calif.) 1864-1866, 1865-09-30

Leslie, with light laugh, q" | do believe you
are more anxious shout it than an myselG"
Nonsense" was Carlyon's curt reply, IS be
shaded bis eyes from the brillian, gaslight, and
bent once more over the volume that lay open
on the table.
The clock chimep eleven, just as Guy Les
lies returning fooistep crossed the threshold.
Csrlyou started eagerly 10 his feet.
~Wen?"
Leslie sank down into chair, his forehead
falling on his hand.
.,Dont ask me, Carlyon -
"She has refused you, then 81
Yes but-but-sh was sweet and gen
tie as saint about it. can't blame her; she
knows she's pretty, aud she knows people can't
help admiring her, but it is no fault Of hers"
Perhaps-perhaps," hazarded Carlyou,
she has some more favored suitor."
Not isn't that. do believe, Carlyon,
you take delight in tormenting ne"
Still | cannot see why she should have the
bad taste to refuse your offered band, if 10
such preference or Encouragement exists, per-
sisted Carlyon.
Because she is too much devoted TO the
memory of her husband ever to contemplate
second marriage"
g" Did she say that p
e" She did and she furthermore told me
that she never could love but once, and that
her whole heart was buried 10 her husbands
grave"
How did he die?
He was lost at sea, believe, some five or
six years ago The idea OF beautiful young
creature like that devoting her life to mere
memory-it is too much Ike Hindoo suffice
ism
a very absurd idea murmured Carlyon,
vaguely. IL wonder if the husband de-
served such constant and abiding affection as
that"
More likely not-few men do" sighed
Leslie despondingly. 4" l dare say be was a
selfish neerdo well, who took his wife's hon.
age as if it were nothing more than his due,
and never knew what pearl of great price be
had won "
All ! who should know better the truth of
the last conjecture than the bronzed traveller
who sat with his head bowed down, aud
strange red flush upon his cheek a.?
And you think there is no chance of being
able TO shake her resolution. Women are
proverbial for changing their minds, you
know"
Some women, but not Alice Elerton. If
you could have seen the tears shining in her
eyes-if you could have heard her voice Oh,
l could almost wish to be dead and buried my
self, were l but sure that my memory would
be worshipped with such tenderness No, she
will live and die faithful to the one love of her
life"
Carlyon-or Brande Ellerton, as we may as
well call him-sat silent. For years be had
dreaded to return to bis native country, lest be
should discover that A ice, bis gir,bnide, had
learned to love another-lest be should find her
the happy wife of some more favored mortal
than himself. And now, to find that she was
constant to bis memory alone, was it strange
that the pulses of JOY throbbed every vein like
the music of youth once more? More than be
deserved-more than be had ever dared to look
forward to 10 the most sanguine moment of bis
"a nd hac
but the actual, earnest truth.
The fire had burned very low in the CRATE,
but Alice still sat beside the hearth, thinking
thinking sadly of tue noble heart she had
been compelled TO wound that night when
step fell softly on the carpet at her side.
"Alice-my wife :"
Aud the next instant her cheek lay against
Brande Ellertons heart. All the suspense, the
heart-aches and weary watchings were over
now, and nothing but sunshine remained.
He had scarcely soothed her agitation and
answered the eager questions that flowed from
Der lips, when the door opened, aud the same
tall, handsome man who had held her 10 bis
arms on the morning Of the wedding entered.
Alice sprang to meet him with bright eyes and
flushed cheeks.
"Oh, Hugh, my husband has returned to
me after all these years. BraDde, this is my
only brother you must love him for my sake
And even exacting little Alice was satisfied
with the cordial clasp Of the tive bands. All
if they had only clasped one another in the
same bond of friendship eight weary years ago.
DIARY FOR A HoT WEEk.-Sunday-D
of rest; of course nothing can be done.
Monday-Being early in the week, don't be