Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1868-12-11

No, not pause, for. what should we call
that silence which is SO eloquent, vacant
interval? What speech could have render
ed the meaning of those looks What wo-
man tongue could have spoken like those
sad, stealthy chances; then those filling eyes
and lastly Of all, like the FACILITATING bosom,
as her penitent head fell over it in its weight
of grief?
The bouquet had fallen to the ground,
but nobody thought of it Joy never stays
in company with the cloudy passions.
Monsieur Marcel strove to speak several
times, but each time a timid apprehension
restrained him. as if he felt he was on the
brink of some fearful revelation. At length
he opened his arms exclaiming:
MY poor Alice!"
The orphan fell upon the old mans bosom
clinging to his neck with her hands, and a
tempestuous foou of tears, mingled with sobs
burst from her overburdened heart.
Madame Marcel was weeping audi5ly at
the same time.
Alfred Looked on the scene before him,
more IN shame than sorrow
AT length. after an inward contention that
I1rttu lOT SGHC al iliUlIICHtH. GIN Hul NhiSi
the baser motives Of the heart had been at
work for the best of men have some of the
native clay in them, that likens them to the
other sons Of earth-M Monsieur Marcel stood
up
Alfred" said he
Eyes father" replied the youth shily.
"Alfred,' repeated old Marcel, what
| have YOU done % But the sullen boy re-
turned no answer, unless his retreatng eye
and flushing cheek could be interpreted as
one.
Son repeated the venerable man again
.hast thou forgotten the respect due to thy
fathers house? Hast thou destroyed the
benefit he sought to do the loor orphan,
when he opened his house to receive her,
and placed her innocence under thy mothers
guardianship? She is our child by adoption
as thou art by the ties of blood. Nay, she
is nearer to us than thou canst be: for
charity, when it understands its mission, is
the most exalted of all human feelings and
as to love, what religion is to duty. | am
her father as we'll as thine, and am bound
to remember what thou forgettest, and to re-
pax the evil thou has committed. Speak
then, and remember that thy honor here, thy
salvation hereafter, depend upon thy answer.
Alfred, wilt thou marry the injured Alice p
The eyes of three witnesses were turned
upon the youth his color went and came
by turn; his voice would not come, and he
shifted about his legs and arms in perplexi-
| ty
Alfred" said bis mother, relent, be-
seech thee: Thou has sought and obtained
the poor girls affections She can love nc
other Thou art everything to her; is she
to be nothing to thee p
Poor Alice could hold in no longer; she
went up slowly to the still sulky youth, and
kneeling to him. took his hand and held it;
and looking up into his eyes, as only a wo-
man can look she said, sobbing at every
word
ooh let me be thy slave, thy worshipper.
Put me anywhere thou wilt, 50 that it be in
the house wherein thou art. so that l may
see thy face but once day and bless it. Dc
no, cas-, me off for loving thee too well
Art thou not the son oimy benetactory The
child of the house in which have been shell.
| tered! Ihe very afpof WHERE ufst 'iiou spy
kest to me of love was the work of his hands,
| know am poor. l bring with me no for
tune to rccompeuse tn, goodness to the poor
orphan.
Alfred went, picked up the bouquet thai
had fallen to the ground and gave it to Alice
with smile that she would not have bar
tered tor kingdoms. He led the trembling
beauty to his father.
Father" said he, II see my error: for
give me, and bless thy children"
Alice and Alfred were married the mex
cay, They are still living, and happier
! pair do hpf exisf.