Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-04-29
WOODSTOCK, THURSDAY, APRIL 80, 1869.

extent had he accomplished this, that
when he proposed for the hand of Grace,
the old gentleman was delighted, and in
sisted that she should comply. But she
had read the character of her sutton, and
presently refused. Zone violent interview
followed another, until Grace left Temple
ton Place, willing to endure any privations
rather than marry against her will, or sub
nit to repetition of the violent scenes
In the end the earl was forced to confess
that he had been wofully deceived and
cruelty unkind.
x 4 = i
Grace was standing alone with Paul
Ventnor in the great library Of Foley
AL. He knew that she was going away
on the morrow, but did not know tLat she
belonged to the asobZesse His heart was
sad, and he keeps his teeth hard shut, as if
thereby to be the more able to keep back
an avowal of his passion. Grace had
learned to love him dearly, and suspected
his motive for remaining silent.
i must bid you good bye, as you will
not be here to morrow she said softly,
holding out her white hand to him. I
shall miss your sermons very much
And myself also, I had hoped he
said, sadly humbly.
And yourself also, repeated Grace,
in her truthful way, and with heightened
color. Your congregation does not APP
. preciate you, Mr.. Vontnor. Your salary
is far too meagre for the talents you pos
sess, for the labor you perform. The
Rectorate at Shedstone is vacant 1t is
worth TWO thousand pounds. All. if you
had that, Mr.. Nentnor.'
Yes, if had, repeated Paul. his
voice trembling. / know what I would
do then
He avelted his face to stife his emotion.
Grace knew what he wanted to say, and
woman like, determined to make him.
say it. With her eyes fixed upon him,
and tapping the floor with her daintily-
slippered foot, she asked, in low, sweet
voice:
What would you do then :?
He turned full upon her, his dark
handsome face all in glow. He caught
her hand and said, in thick, husky
voice
What would do then, Grace? would
hold your hand thus, and say Grace, I
love you with my whole soul l cannot
live without you Be mine be mine
Paul was trembling, and Grace's face
flushed with pleasure.
1t strikes me that you have said it any
how, she replied, with little gay laugh,
and Withdrawing her hand When you
are rector of Shedstone will listen to the
appeal with more complacency, Good
night, Mr.. Ecntnor'
The young cufate went away from Fo-
ley Hall with heavy heart, and the SER
mons Of the next Sabbath were dull and
pfosy ones indeed. But on the Monday
following he received very great sur
prise in the shape of a document bearing
an earPs crest, and reading as follows
TEMPLEToN PLACE, Dec. s, 1949.
TO Paul Fent,sor, Cusate at Bladesburg ::
Rev. Si.-The Rectorate of Shedstoue
awaits your acceptance. Let ne have
your decision at once. By Christmas we
would expect to find you in charge =
Yours, in haste,
MARCUS TEMpLEToN
Then followed one Of the old earrs
blunt postscripts:
My daughter, Grace. has recommend
ed your appointment
Paul Ventnor was almost dumbfounded !;
he sank into a chair aud burst into tears
He was appreciated at last. and the Rec
torate of Shedstone was his But how
was it to be explained? Was the fair
mcndicant of the lodge gate an earl's
daughter? Had the crown piece he drop
ped into her hand brought him an annuity
of $4,000 a year.
He accepted the offer, and by the holt
days was in charge. In course Of time
Grace explained all to him, the he renew
ed his proposition, which she entertained
with very gratifying 'complacency
But when he applied to the earl he was
bluntly refused. Grace interceded, but
was also refused.
Father, she said, what is Temple
toms word worth 2
AS much as bis bond, child, and rigid
ly kept from father to son, down long
and proud ancestral line
Grace laughed softly, with sparkle of
triumph in her eyes. She took from her
bosom the letter the earl had written to
her.
'Soe,' she said. 1 hold your written
word-a terse bond, indeed, with your
crest and name attached In it you say
that | shall marry whomsoeyer it may
please me to marry. Welt please to