The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1868-06-13

from the right path is certain to brin
its punishment. But will you not, fo
the sake of my poor widowed mother
spare me 1t will kill her to hear al
even suspected of dishonesty, she is S
feeble now. DO not demand this terri
bic sacrifice cf me. Be just! be gene
rous! be merciful -
"'Tis useless, sir, I have told yo'
on what terms en- treat with YOU.
love Clara more than m; own life, an'
cannot relinqlish the chance of winning
her. 1t will be impossible for you t.
remove the suspicion that will follow
y,u. The fact Of your employers want
Of confidence in you will be sufficient t'
condemn you. Accept my terms. &C
to Europe without seeing Clara again
Take your own time to return the money
and at the end Of one year. if | have
failed to win her, you are free to seek
her anew, and | will give you my WORD
never to mention this affair again.
Il see too plainly | have no Other
chance. If Clara loves me-, as have
hoped, she will remain constant, regard
less otappear.nces, for that time. Thank
Heaven, have not sought to bind hen
by an engagement. Every chance is
against me, though. What will she
think Of my leaving without telling hel
goodbye, even 2
"Just what wish her to-that You
do not love her any too devotedIy. ]
will take your regrets to her, OF pressure
Of business, and time and such little
excuses. OF course she will be morti.
fled, and disappointed, aud in this state
of feelings | hope to triumph. Once
mine, l do not doubt being able to maxi,
her love me. Such love as mine must
meet response"
Belt 30, George Marbury, but there s
futur~, thank God. A time when we
shall both stand before a just Judge
Are you not fearful you may yet need
the mercy you now deny to me If not
on earth, you surely will above.
"Clara, my daughter, why will you
treat Mr.. Marbury with so much indit-
ference He is a very fine young man.
and seems very much attached to you.
There was a time, when I thought you
liked him little. I think you ,thoug gilt
more of Everett Morse than he deserved.
1t is very evident, if he had loved you.
he would not have gone away without
saying word. Danish him from 5our
mind, and tly to smile on one whose
long devotion merits some kindness from
you.'
"Mother, I cannot help thinking there
IS some mystery relative 10 Everett's
leaving as he did. feel perfectly sure
he loved me. Every word and action
told it plainly. Every moment that was
not devoted to business, or his mother,
he spent with us. We were not en-
gagged, but there was an understanding
between US. OILY the night last saw
him, he said to me, when I come again
L shall bring ring to place on the finger
OF certain lady fair, and try to win her
a promise, which will make me one OF
the happiest men on earth Six months
have passed since then, and not word
from him. That he is living, and Well.
[ know, for Mr.. Marbury told me they
had letter from him by the last steam
er. What can he mean. mother T.
"There is no doubt of one thing: he
has trified with you, and therefore he is
not worthy of one thought of regret.
Clara, Mr.. Marbury has spoken to me,
and asked my approval and influence in
his favor | believe he will make you
a kind, loving husband. lis wealthy,
and will place you in position worthy
Of you. [ wish very much you will &C.
cept him. You know how hard strug.
gle it is for rue to keep up re pectable
Your brother must con-
:nnue his studies, which are very expen-
sive. After he graduates, it will proba-
bly, be long time before he can get
sufficient practice to enable him to help
US. Our little is dwindIing fast away,
md it is absolutely necessary for you
to take some thought for the future
"Have patience, neither, dear; bear
with me little longer! When another
six months have passed away, if I have
not heard from Everett, then I will re-
ieve your mind, and make Mr.. Marbu-y
rs happy as withered heart can. Let
NE have year, mother, to recover from
my lost love. Custom, you know, al
ows that time to those whose hearts are
with the dead. IfEverett is false, then |
no is dead to me. I will, no doubt, like
Mr.. Marbury very we'll; as friend, |
'espect him very much now. You may
Did him hope, but nothing more, just
yet."
Days, weeks, months rolled rapidly
past, but no tidings came to the anxious,
Waiting heart. Still the dead silence |
Two weeks, only, remain of the allot-
ed time. Never had days passed SO
lowly to George Marbury.
Oh. the dreadful suspense! What if,
fter all his plotting, he should f,iilaz
vim her! He - "a appssl !
0 Mrs. Da.9h. i
All is joy now. She consents to be
is. A few more days pass by, and, at
sngth, but one more remains. But what
ares he! Standing before the altar,
lasping the hand of her he would have
Isked salvation to gain, he is supremely
appy. |;
Slow y the man of God proceeds, zach
'ord binding them closer. With in
reased solemnity came the words, "Wilt
Aon' forsaking all others, keep thee only
. him. as long as both OF ye shall live r
what inspiration caused her to raise
er eyes. glance over, seek and find a
nee amidst the many there, whose every Il