North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-03-08
VOL. 4 NO. 80


Max did come in. He took the hand Of
Francis, muttered a few incoherent words
intended for a cosgratulation-fed from the
room, mounted horse, and was absent all
day. ...-. =. -sa-se- a.a
"There's no accounting for the conduct Of!
such hot headed fellow as Max, said the:
Squire, meditatively. "Why, frankie. dear,
when we thought you would die, it seemed
as if the boy would 60 wild, and now you are
better, he takes it as coolly as an iceberg.
Well well, Max's heart is right" eEf
Francis mended slowly. She remainedat
the Hall. There was nothing to call her home
now,for her grandmother died while Eraucis'
was lost to the world. ~
June came, mild. and rich in clou dies skies
Francis went down stairs for the first time
one soft bright morning. The Squire was
undr the necessity Of going to the next town
cd buiness, and he exacted promise, unwill-
ingly enough giving, from Max, not to leave
her during his absence. Haa.
"Max will stay with you, and don't get
lonesome, dear. He stopped over and kissed
her, Max colored hotly. Francis gave no
sign.
The Squire withdrew, and for little time
there was silence. Then the girl spoke
"Max you are an honorable mani.
"Oh, frankie p he begsn, passionately.
"Hush do not tempt me. God knows I
IRON q =, Il INV j,fry d.. L n
you must help me with your strength Max
you must so away from here. At once. L
Cannot keep up this wretched disguise before
him, so generously unsuspecting. Go away,
Max, where shallnot see you agan,and with
Heavens help viii be true to him to whom
my plighted word is given"
Max came forward and touched her hand.
Good bless you frankie, and pity US both
Good BY" ....... .---.-t
He was opening the door, when the Squire
stepped out from the folds of curtain, and
drew him back. Evelyn's face was pale but
his fine eyes glowed with the light of gen.
erous purpose.
'No, my boy" he said, his deep voice bro
ken by emotion, ''you are not going away.
Unwthngly have been listener. l. came
brck for some papers, but you did not OBJ
serve ny presence, Many things that did
not hitherto understand are now clear to me.
have been an old fool ! frankie, you love
him, and he loves you, and your two lives
shall not be wrecked by the selfshness an
old fellow like me. | have lived without love
forty five years-it will only little while,
longer.
Max put his arms around his uncle's neck.
The old mans eyes grew moist -..
There, there, Max dou'l offer to kiss
mel Kiss frankie. aud remember, no fool
ish pride. give her to you. -.
He went out Of the room ard left them
together. Went out into the bright sunshine
ana thought it neverhad seemed so godenly
bright as then. He was little sad, but his
heart there fell great calm of peace.
He went down the flower bordered path to
the honeysuckle arbor at the foot of the gar
den, The tall, graceful form OF lady in
half mourning, stopped his progress. She
threw back her veil revealing face pale and
worn, yet singularly sweet, John Evelyn
shook like an aspen as he saw that face, and
shrank back against the trellis for support.
John, said soft voice with an undertone
OF infinite sadness, "do yon know me 2n
"Annie-Annie Brest, why have yen NJ
turned to torture me Is it not enough that
you have made my life loveless-my"-
II have come back to tell you how deeply
you wronged me. Sit down and iisten.'',
He yielded to her touch, and there in the
warm sunshine of that June day, he heard
the story of her life. of letters intercepted by
willy rival suitor--of cunning forgering,
stinging her womanly pride to madness-of
maiden pique which had, in a moment of de-
spair driven her to be the wife of a man she
did not love. He listened like one in dream
listened while she cleared herself from all
spot or bIemish and he knew it, at last, that
the young Annie he had SO deeply loved. was
ever false to him. 4.s ssz.-s ,sg
"And where is your husband ?n he asked
when she had done. "ot..- aeE -
"Two years dead" 1afsls> 80
He gathered her up in his arms. sa 20
any Annie as of old 2"E o. rastn
"lf you will take her." she said softly.
So at the end of that bright summer there
was double wedding at Evelyn Hall-the
Squire rejoiced in the yonng love of his youth
and DR.. Chesney married the woman who
was to have been his aunt hade.Te9 go
s.. a F. .fasgl sa.. esrs sfs
80 The correspondent Of Boston na-