Weekly Trinity journal., 1869-12-11

:
most passionate adorer l rescued you from
want-from insult-from despar-and | dared
to speak of love | was, | fear too hasty, too
nconsiderate in my proposals my love was dis
psed-rejected You left me. But, Madeline,
your suitors where were they? The gay train of
knights, vowed to your servce-the proud
young mobiles, who had laid their pride and
their nobility at your feet-where were they
| They fled at the first shadow of misfortune, or
| those who remained stayed but to wound with
expressions of contemptuous pity, or insult with
baser proposals. They fled and you were desc
late. Was no one faithfulY
Yes, 0ne!'' murmured Madeline, as she hid
her face in her hands-''one!''
1" And that one, Madeline, do you still hope
and live for him?" do you still love each
other?'
"Yes yes?" said Madeline, rising, with sud-
den energy 'we still love each other-we still
love each other-we hope still l will not de-
sert him f! He clung to me through all l will
cling 20 him, and we shall yet be happy.
Madeline" exclaimed the banker, and he
knelt before her. ''accept me l offer you a
station equal to the one you have lost-wealth
above your widest dreams, luxures beyond
your utmost wishes. l will raise you above the
proudest of your late admirers-the parasites,
the fawners, the faithless of former days.
fou shall set your foot upon their necks. Gold,
diamonds equipages-these will not bribe you.
|
doing good-the independence of all obligation.
Oh, think before you again reject Your lover,
tool saw him but lately he is ill. | marked
his slight figure, his thin, flushed cheek; | heard
his frequent cough. He is working hard he
denies himself many comforts that he may save
money to free you from bondage. He will not
live. Labor, and scanty clothing, and poor diet
will do the work sooner or later; you will lose
him | offer you his health-hs happiness. l
will pour gold upon him, and with gold, ease
and comfort If you will be mine, Madeline, |
will settle upon him sums that shall lift him at
once to afhuence. Madeline you will not now
refuse p
She answered mournfully and slowly: "No,
Mr. Brandon, it cannot be; ! never will desert
I him Oh believe me, feel grateful he, too,
shall thank you; but ask not, beseech you
ask me not to deny myself the sweet privilege of
struggling for, and with him, through the thick
darkness of the present hour TO the light beyond.
We are young and hopeful, and we shall yet be
happy. Yes, we shall be happy Oh my
friend, our love is our all; ask US rot to re-
nounce it !"
Mr.. Brandon rose from his knees, and seated
himself at his desk ; there was a long pause
At last he spoke but in altered tones.
'Tell me, Miss Vernon, your lovers present
plans. 1t may be in my power to aid him"
! g 1t is his intention 10 procure situation
! clerk, which he has promised to him upon the
II
can raise it in a certain space of time; during
which the place will be kept open for him. Our
object is to accumulate this sum to do this we
are straining every nerve, and | trust we shall
succeed.
Another long pause, and the banker raised the
lid of his desk he touched secret spring, and
drawer flew open he took from it roll of
papers, and with grave and solemn air handed
it to Madeline.
Madeline are you too proud to accept, from
one who loves you but too well, the gift of three
thousand pounds?'
She started from her seat.
{" Do not speak hastily Madeline false pride
is no virtue. know not the exact sum required
but this tri1e will go far toward the attainment
of the object you have in view. Take it-go !
and unless again thou comest in distress come
to me no more; but if thou needest friend, l
am here-I am here" ~
Madeline was awed, and pleased, and panied ;
she could but weep her thanks. He took her
arm and drew it within his own, and led her
through the banking house, and handed her,
sobbing, into the miserable hackney-coach
awaiting her. He stood hal-unconscously, at
the door, watching its progress down the street,
till at the corner it stopped to take up tall and
| elegant-looking young man, who awaited its
rival shiverng in the chilly air be recognized
the favored lover, and heaving sigh, withdrew
into his apartment. There he resumed his seat
at the desk and opened his private account book.
" All y he said, 81 have command over my
self when that girl comes. l could make myself
a beggar to see her look happy. But she will
come no more y and again he sighed heavily.
g Three thousand pounds, too What large
sum Under what head can ! enter it Under
that of charity! Yes charity!" And so he
did enter it. Aud there it stands an almost SOL
itary item