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

: - -, >r.' -.
>-l1< ill.,.
} and, stimulated by it, l., too, dressed
rapidly, and descended to the iowe'
story. All there waA still. and undis
turbed, except by servants and busters
To be rid Of these, 1 wandered into the
grounds. At first, my stels were aim
less; but, after while, I remembered
white rose-tres growing not far away,
and, thinking how pretty its snowy
buds would be among Lily's dark curIs,
! [ turned down the path that led to it
had not gone far when l saw that
others were before mc-there stood
Elliot Forester, speaking earnestly ;
and, though his face was avertcd from
me, could read every fervid word he
uttered in the agitated face Of Lily.
What lovely picture she made, stand
ing there among the roses ! drew near
enough to see the quivering of the
iashes that yelled eyes th,t l was sure
we're swimming in tears, AID the smiles
that trcmbled on her lips-smi!es that
might as we'll have been tears then l
turned, and went quietly and slowly
back to the house and to my room,
there to strive to familiarize myself With
the though that my Lily, my flower,
my nursing, vas to- be mine no more,
was to gladden. another heart, and to-
make another home beautiful. :.''
1 should like to tell you how my
Lily, the child-woman, the sixteen.
years old maiden, met me next-of the
Consciousness that was half shame and
half pride. But Celeridge has de-
scribcd t far better than can '
"she half enclosed me with her arms.
She pressed me with meek embrace
And. bending back her head, looked up
And gazed into my face.
"'Twas partly love, and partly fear.
And partly twas Z bashful art
-, That might rather feel than see
The swelling Of her heart" ....,4
But l must hasten on for. my space
is limited, and I have much to tell
you.
My father, in permitting Lily's en-
gagcment, had declared that nothing
would make him consent to her mar
riage till alter her eighteenth birthday.
All the forresters demonstrated against
this, all, except Elliot, who seemed
afraid to trust himself to speak so, at
least, l interpreted the flush that rose
to his brow, the compression of his
lips, and the almost stern fxedness of
the gaze he turned upon my father,
who met the Mingled rcproaches
and entreaties Of Mr.. and Mrs. Forres-
ter with decision noae the less firm
because it was playfully expressed.
During this little scene, Lily hid stood
near the table in the centre of the L.
brary, with downcast face, and fingers
ncrvous]y engaged in picking the petals,
one by one from lovely rose which
she had snatched from a vase before
her. Suddenly, Ellist placed himself
beside her, and, taking her hand; said {:
"You hear, Lily, two years must pass
before your father will give you into
my keeping; but you. are none the less
mine-you have given yourself to me,
and that with your fathers consent. Is
not this go, Mr.. Raymond p
"Just so, Lily is yours with her own
consent and mine but you must leave
her to Olive and me for another two
years."
eyes, Mr.. Raymond, leave her; but
leave her as my treasure-my promised
wife-nay, my true wife in the sight Of
Heaven; you consent to this, Lily
Speak, dear one, IT you are mine, say
itw
! He spoke passionately. Lily lifted
her eyes till they looked into his, and
speaking slowly, distinctly, and with an
emphasis which seemeI to put heart.
beat in every word, said, "Yours, Elliot
now and forever in spirit, and to be
yours wholly, on the day my father hal
himself, 'appoioted-my eighteenth
birthday"
What new power had dawned in tn
child! My father aud I looked At eacl
other with .surprise-Mrs. Forreste
smi!ed on Lily through cleaning tear
, and the passionate flush faded frou
, Elliot's brow as he looked into tn
calm eyes Of his belrothed. He touch
ed her forehead with his lips, gently, al
most revcrently, and led her to the ca,
> riage which, was waiting for US.
"Remember, Elliot" said my fath
er, as he shook young Forrester's han
at parting, III forbid neither oorros
}, pondence nor visits. l shall be glad t
. see you ALL"
"You shall see me 10 tho fail, sir,
. live"
And SO VIC parted. Again We wei
in New York, in its whirl Of busy liz
The past three or four months migl
: :; have seemed dream, but for the lc
" tcrs which made so large
- part Of our Lily's life, and for an air
8 dreamy happiness which sometimes sto
:" over her as she sat with. book or wo,
y lying neglected on her lap, where it hi
fallen from unconscious fingers, viii
II" h., ,,oo 1ooL al c%rai.yht hofnra her