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

erlesS fingers as she SANK faintlng on the Moor.
And when she again woke 10 consciousness,
her fathers face was bending over her, her
fathers arm supporting Ter head !!
My poor darling" was all that be said. but
with the words. Alice knew that ii was not all
troubled dream as she had foudly hoped
That night she returned 10 the home of her
girlhocd. widowed bride
Dead Oh, surely not dead !"
Three years had wrought bat little external
change in Alice Ellertons lovely face. The
blue eyes were still swimming in sapphire
depihs-;he bronze, gold curls shone with the
old luster, aud the carmine shadows yet came
and went on her cheek, bat there was some
thing of subdued softpess that gave new charm
to her look and voice
Every soul Oh board lost - read out Hugh
Moore; the ship driven to pieces of the rocky
coast. Oh, Alice, Alice. my poor little sister
and it is all my fault.''
Not your fault, Hugh-dOnt say that,
murmured Alice, who, through all the agoniz-
ing shock of her grief had vet a comforting
word for her brothers genuine distress; dead
dead-it can't be possible, Oh, Hugh! is
be lost to me forever, aud loved him so -
Alice, said Hugh Moore, solemnly, if l
had not rashly ventured under my fathers roof
the day of your weddiDg-ifI had not dared
bis displeasure, and risked the chance of being
seen and apprebended for the mad follies of
my boyhood. by demanding farewell inter
view with you"
Hugh, Hugh she murmured clasping
her hand TO her ashy pale forehead, don't al
lude to that dreadful day. 1t is past and over
now, why recall its narrowing events? Oh, if
I'could have seen him-if | could have held his
head, and listened to his dying words Dead
and never to know the moment when soul
and body parted -
But you are innocent as white dove,
Alice"
Not innocent, Hugh-not wholly innocent
If had but followed the impulses of my Own
heart and told Brande all But was pledged
to secrecy, you recollect."
Alice" said Hugh Moore passionately,
{" if l could redeem the past with my own life,
feel that it would be too slight a sacrifice.
] have not only ruined by the excess that
made my father disinherit and disown me- my
own future, but blasted your young life with a
shadow that will never be lifted up"
And Aice's blank face, pathetic in its
pleading anguish, gave a mute assent to his
words
From that day she looked loveler than ever
in the dark draperies of her widows weeds,
mourning the husband who had been scarcely
more than name to Der.
Il tell you, Carlyon, its serious matter
with me-a matter of life and death ~
Anything more than Irritation %
Filtration? pshaw I've had enough of
them in my time. Once week was very
moderate computation, in college days, but
this isn't anything Of that stripe. I'm in earn
est this time"
Guy Leslie stopped abruptly in bis eager
pacing up aud down the room. and looked
down in the dark handsome face of the man
who had been bis travelling companion through
the parched deserts of Syria, and among the
palm groves of Palestine.
Aud why do you tell me this - asked Car
lyton quietly.
Il don't know-because I can't help it,
suppose. There's sort of fascination about
you, Carlyton, and though have known yoa
for comparatively short time, feel irresisti'
bly, impeed to contide in you"
a wish you all success, Leslie said Car
lyton, warmly graspiog his companions hand +;
Il don't know the lady. but think she couldn't
do better thing than to take you for life
partner"
Il wish you would call there with me, some
day."
Thank you-but you are aware that
don't 60 much into society,"
"Well, l don't understand your making a
voluntary hermit of yourself in this sort of
way, must confess" exclaimed the puzzled
Leslie.
1" 1t is my preference"
A very peculiar one. But, however, I'm
not going to besiege you on that score. Every
man to bis liking, say land SO I'll leave you
to your cigar and book, while go 10 pay my
| homage at the shrine of the pretty widow"
A widow, eh ~
Didn't you know it ?''
How should | know anything about her !?
You havn't honored me with your confidence,
except in so far that you are actually in love
with one of the daughters of Eve"
We'll, she's young widow. l only wish
you could see how pretty she looks in her black