The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-11-21


disobedient, and do not blame or accuse
Grantley any more au the only one
to blame and be has been far uobler than
1 deserve" Here she burst into tears,
and buried her face in her fathers breast;
"Won't you forgive me, dear papa ?" she
sobbed again, after short pause, kissing
his cheek which her tears made almost
as vet as her own.
John Rashleigh could not resist this:
Hope had never yet been unforgivsu, ,eve1
when she had not shown contrition, aud
the unusual softness of her mood to-day
could inset with nothing but the most
fervent response.
ado not cry, Hope! Dry Jour eyes
child p he said tenderly. "There, there.
Let Us hear no more about 1t. quite
believe you that you did not know that
you were doing anything wrong and that
you were only thoughtless and impulsivs
as usual. And as to you, boy"(t Grant
Iley), Il am sorry that | accused you SCI
hastily so shake hands; and think NO
more about it. You cannot expect me I'd
say more than that am sorry," he added
pleasantly as Grantley hesitated. The
blow on his cheek yet stuug, and it was
rather early days to take the hand which
had just struck him. "No gentlemen can
want more than an apology, and father
can only express his regret to his son so
shake hands, boy, and let US forget what
has been very painful misunderstanding
That word did what the feeling had
failed to do. Grantley grasped his cou-
sins hand warmly; he had conquered all
his boyish pride and manly Indignation
/ By the simple name of father.
have made you suffer, Grantley,"
said Hope, as her father left them and
again she laid her hand in his.
81 would have borne twice as much
| for your sake, Miss Hope" he answered;
pressing her hand between both of his,
and looking at her lovingly-she not
naughty and disdainful as usual, but down
cast, bashful and repentant.
II do not know what We shall do with
out you, Grautley," she then said very
gently and as she spoke, she turned pale,
and he felt her hand trembling in his.
"Oh you will soon forget me. have
often displeased you, you will be glad To
get rid of me-" Grantley answered.
Il do not think we SHALL" said Hope,
in q low voice. And then there was d
moments silence. All this time they were
standing with their hands clasped in each
others in the hall which had just been 90
roisy and heated with the late storm pass
Ing through.
'You have not displeased me; it is I
who have been ill-tempered," Hope con-
tinaed, IN still lower voice, still softer
and richer in tone. 81 ought to ask your
forgiveness, Grantley, for l have often be.
haved so badly to you"
"You must rot do that" be exclaimed
hastily, and his eyes filed up with tears.
Il could not bear that, Miss Hope I.
cannot bear to hear you blame yourself
for anything"
"GTantley p she said; and then she
stopped and sa,d no more.
Still With her hand in his, still look
ing down on her as she stood with bent
head and lowered eyelids before him, be
drew just chade nearer to her.
"YOu spoke z" he asked.
She laid he- other hand on bis arm.
81 am much obliged to you for all that
you have done for me these many years."
she said almost in a whisper.
The words were formal but the voice
and tone we're not; the downcast eyes,
the parted lips, the cheek now crimsoning
and uoE pal.ng, the heaving breast, the.
pride swept away beneath the swell Of
this unusual tenderness and girlish graf
itude, Ill told Of something deeper and
warmer stirring in that in2etuous heart
than what those quiet, formal words ex-
pressed.
"Do net say that you are obliged to ms
for anything, dear Miss Hope" said
Grantley, himself scarcely able TO speak
at has been an honor to NE to be allow
ed to serve you"
"No one has ever done so much for
me-" she said.
because no one ever" He step.
ped in his turn, and said no more then,
after pause, LIE went on: I have doue'
nothing for you unwiltiugly, Miss Hope
If you had asked me at any tIRe to give
you my life I would have done it as freely
as would have given you flower. I
have had but one object-that Observing
and obeying you = and had but one de.
sire-that Of pleasing.you: J have done
ir tie frst the best way that I could, If
I have failed in the last sadly. But [
want you to remember me when am ia
India" be went on to say, ''aud to reuem-
Der me with as little dislike as yon can !;
and l am SO glad of to-day, for the last
thing you have to remember me Of wifi
be my faith to you"