Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-10-05
he waves that dashed at its base.

Che mysteries OF the ocean, with Its
pearls, and shells, and buried gems !;
OF burning ships and wrecked mariners,
of islands far away under tropical
skies famed by fragrant breezes from
sunny seas.
"Verv we'll +" hn cold W.
almost exhausted your subject; but
now, while you are in the mood, re-
peat that little thing from Tennyson-
Break, break, break,
On thy cold gray stones, o sea!'
in return for some OF my rude Morse
men ballads"
| did as desired; all went well till
[ came to the lines
"But the tender grace
Of "a day that is dead,
viii never come back to me-"
Here | failed utterly. Gone was all
the beautiful present only looked
back over the past to the "day that
was dead"
For little time there was only 81
lence between US. He gathered my
hands into both his own and held them
there, as | looked out over the sea
and thought bitterly Of the light that
had been suddenly quenched, leaving
my soul IN deepest night; Of the bit
terness and despair which had been
my portion. Farther back strayed
my thoughts to an enchanted lana,
where the air was filled with fragrance,
with the melody Of singing birds, the
tinkle of far away fountains, the sound
ofmurmuring stream. There bloomed
the fair flowers of hope and promise,
and there love reigned supreme.
margaret" said DR.. Hale, at
length, disturbing my reyerie, and
drawing me at the same time very
near to himself, sis it true that you
still yearn
For the touch of vanished hand
For the sound of voice that is still ~
"IIow do you know | said, turning
to meet his eyes, that | have any bit
ter memories; that [ have ever cared
for any other Overmuch ?"
because said DR.. John, seriously,
and looking into my face as he spoke
with his singularly grave, beautiful
eyes; because | have studied you
from the beginning. Yours is no COM
mon character. Once you needed a
discipline, a severe one. God sent it
to YOU in love and kindness let US
think now that the sting is past, and
it has made you what you are, my
true, good Margaret. Your charac-
ter has lost nothing, gained everything
from this conflict. You are better,
truer to yourself, and to God to-day
than a year ago. Tell me, is it not
SO ?'
l could only say, through binding
tears, SO on; your words strengthen
me, help me; they are true"
"When you. came to Rockland, a
| year ago, you thought thus; i will
seek no friends, | will love no one, |
will rely upon myself and God for
human friendship; human love is OF
no avail You treated me with care
less Indifference at first. But YOU
are hiendIier now" he continued ;
"you almost consider me truthful sin
cere. You would fain believe that
the interest take in you is real
you speak in all truth and SINGER
ity," | said, finding voice and courage
to proceed, and am grateful, thank
fuI, that you will let me be your
friend. 1t is true as you divine. !
did think, and not long ago, that
friendship was a myth, that the foun.
dations upon which love is based
were of wood, hay, and stubble. But
think better of the world now,"
added, "better Of my kind. | believe
in y0ur regard, in your friendship;
believe i'll your strong, earnest, manly
life
"And will you 90 on Margaret
Will you say that you believe in q
love that is stronger than death, that
many waters cannot quench nor floods
drown? Margaret, if you could learl
in time to love me; if, by and by, yor
would minister to me with these kind
lily hands; if the old love might be sup
planted by the new, | should have nC
greater earthly good to ask of heaven
My life would be crowned with bless
ings, Margaret" he continued. :"
would not force your heart; | woult
not have you mistake friendship TO
deeper regard. But | need you
love, Margaret; | want you by m.
side, always. Look up. Give m
one word of hope"
IL love you now," | said, quickly
thus appealed to, and my hear
, prompted the reply that thus sudden
ly sprang to my lips; | continued
/ II AIN yours for all time and eternity
!, | have been wicked, unreasonable
: judged all false, because one failed
But | understand now; | appreciate
q | prize the true manly love you offe
Y me, and if my love will make Jour haT
r piness, will fill your heart, be assure
e you have it all"
S Margaret, my own Margaret, Go
d has been good to me" said DIR. Johr
V as he encircled me in his arms, an
). took me nome to his heart, to his pur
K inner life. nae
3 Oh, blissful feeting hours that fo
t lowed; What was the past shor
e passionate dream, when compare
d with this present reality? What Wa
l. Charles Bleecker's boyish, tickle loy
4. when placed In the balance with ths
y which was now all my own, land whie
It would, l knew and felt, be with N
o through all time :? ad
e In those hours of unreserved con