The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-08-26

"Do you think Elliot Forester ca
be in tho Southern army ?" I. aske
ono day, when weeks had passed with
out any intelligence Of him reachin
us. ...,.' ..~t . r.''
II cannot tell ; but, if he is, l hop
he may never again darken my thresh
hold. Nothing shall tempt me to TAX
rebel by the hand. I am glad yos
arc there to hear me, Lily"
Lily had entered while he was speak
ing. and stood to listen. She turned
very pale as he spoke to her, but saw
her look steadily on the sapphire with
its sparkling diamond circlet which Ell
liot Forester had placed on her finger
as she said softly, II shall be sorry
father, to have you and Elliot at 7ari
ance"
The words seemed so simple, SC
ehildlike, that my father smiled and
walked away, thinking, doubtless, that
there would be little difficulty in sepa-
rating those united by no legal tic I
did not SO read my Lily, and my heart
sauk with the apprehension Of coming
sorrow.
The weary weeks and months rolled
on til.a year had passed, add L'ly's
eighteenth birthday had arrived Ny
father had: wished to celebrate it by a
ball, but Lilly protested against this SO
urgently that it had been osuilenly re-
lioquished-L say sullenly-for my
father was evidently beginning to feel
that there: was antagonism between Lily
and him, and, having been disappoiot-
ed in his 'proposc1 birthday 3tte, he
seemed utterly to ignore the day, max
ing no ailus,on to it even in his good
morning to Lily when it arrived. :My
heart was sore for her as 1 saw her lin
g:r beside him till tears rose to her
eyes, and her lip quivered, then turn
silently: away. Remembering what
that day was to have been to Lily, I
felt ycarning tenderness TO- her that
would not permit me to leave her. My
father left us as usual after breakfast,
and Lily and I were sitting together in
our own little room, to which only a
few intimate friends had the entrie,
when the door opened cautiously, and a
gentleman entered, who closed it care
fully before he turned his face toward
US. Even then, the bronzed face and
heavy beard so disguised him, that IN
til I heard his teuderly spoken Lilly"
and saw my sister spring into his ex-
tended arms, I did not recognize Ell
liot Forester. I must not linger on
the scene that followed I cannot spare
time even Tor recognizing the ingenious
devices and hair-breadth escapes
through which Elliot Forester hlc
made his way to New York under al
assumed name. He had been compell
ed to make = long detour to the West
and had met with so many vexatiou:
delays. that he was week later in ar
irving than he had expected to bo.
..'"But I am in time, my darling; this
you know, is our wedding day-yo,
have not forgotten it, Lily" he ex
claimed, as he saw her look Of sur
prise.
"Forgotten! no, indeed, Elliot bu
Why remember what cannot now be ?
s:And why not ?"
"Because my father will never con
sent, Elliot, at least, never while thi
war continues"
"But he has consented, Lily, I hav
waited his own time-your eighteenth
birthday is hcre-and, by his owr
words spoken in the presence of Wit
nesses, you are mine" 49,.
Lily looked .wistfullys at me, as sh
said, "If only it could be-"
"But how Can it be?" l rather az
swered to the look than question.
"How?" exclaimed Elliot, imp:
tiently. "Whe-c is the difficulty? D
YOU think I have no friends in this city
do you think there are none here VII
see the justice Of our cause, and b
licve in our success? One of these
saw last night. He has undertake
everything, for he knows where to flo
the right magistrate aud the right Gle
gyman; I am expecting him ever
moment, to tell me that the license h:
been obtained, aud the hour appointe'
When all this is done, will gov fail m
Lily? Shall I have .riskea life"
II will never fail you, Elliot. l a
yours now and ever"
"But, Lily" Ibegau, "my father
"Olive, my father gave me to Eli
two years ago, aud Elliot has do
nothing to forfeit his confidence or n
love-"
"My darling! God helping Inc, y
> shall never repent this hour. And Oil
, will be our friend," he added, holdi'
F out his hand to me. "Only hear 4
, plan," he continued, as he saw ,
about to speak. 81 would not for mt
than life expose our darling to one n
2 ment's peril. I have como only to
8 fl the promise made two years ago
;, make Lilly my wife--and then to lea
}. her in the safe shelter of her home
! A cry from Lily interrupted him.
l. (coNcrnnrD NEXT WEEK.)