National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-09-24

! S'''h h'i anu ilt diSc
OF Nettie when Madame tore it up
as she "didn't allow young ladies' to
receive letters from gentlemen.'
1he long three years that seemed
to have no ending, and then th,
meeting at the old homestead. How
she blushed and smiled as,instead o.
mere youth, Philip appeared be,
lore her as a young gentleman, and
complinented her upon her improv
ed appearance. Then the long DAYS OF
heartsickness, when the firt of the
county maneuvered in all sorts OF
ways to gain Philips heart, and
Nettle was SO wounded that she
treated Philip coldIy and answered
aRiBS5Sut IT.. It. How thf5 fR5pTr fmY y" hid
saved her life saved her from a hor
rible death, andin rccompense there
of claimed her as his own. Well
she remembers the hearts Flood
Singing up to her cheek, and the
thrill of pleasure convulsing her
whole being: and now she feels that
without him this world would be a
dreary void, and she a stray waif.
Then the day, this very day it was.
Philip had asked his father to give
a blessing TO their bttrothaI. but Mr..
Randolph had declared, at must
never be they must forget one an
other, and live happy apart" He
refused all explanations until Phil
ip vowed not to obey him in this
case, and not until then did he tell
bis son why he must not love Nettie.
Long ago, a duel had been fought
between Nettie'S father and Philips
the former was instantly killed; the
latter. struck by rcmorse, had en-
deaVorsd to atone by educating the
daughter of his enemy, never dream
| ing of so disastrous Il consequence
as the two young peoples falling in
love. But it is the Old, old story
repeating itself once again. World
y eyes are wise they are far seeing
aud vigiIant, aud worldly hands
would cndeavor to draw aSunder
two lives that should minclc as one ;
but, in spite Of all the worldly ewes
and hands, the current OF true love
that for time had been turned out
of its course. flows back into its
original channel with greater force
than before, and thus flowing on,
reaches the eternal sea and there
abideth forever.
Nettie's pale features told the emo.
tion of her heart, and Philips face
quivered with anguish as he noted
her sorrow. Why should these two
who loved SO teryently-vhy should
they be separated for the crime OF
another! Nettie had never seen
her fathers tace--had never expc.
rienced her fathers care. Should
her young life be darkencd with
sorrow to atone for his sin The
little boat was drifting with the tide;
50 was her soul drifting on the tide
OF dreams--a silver tide with dla-
mond nipples flashing in and out.
All was fair and glowing; and the
pure soul of the maiden, seeing the
lovely picture, Smiled, and smiled SO
deeply that it became visible on
her features, lighting up cheek,
lips and brow with u wondr1 us
light.
Again Philip looked up, and s,e-
ing the change on the fair face. took
her hand within his own and gently
smoothcd and carcsscd it. "Nettic
dear Nettie, there is so little rea
love and truth in this world, do no,
cast mine aside, but accept it as the
guardian Of your life" That beau
titul smile and blush irradiatcd the
sweet face; that smile and blush
more eloquent than sweet words
and the setting sun, as 1t sank be.
hind the mountains, carried with it
the remembrance of Il lovers kiss
imprinted on the rosy mouth of the
gentle Ncitie Ray.
The boat driftcd TO Tie mornings
aud springing lightly from it. the
two turned to tender u fond farewell
to the river; but peacefully it sill
slumbcrcd on, all unconscious tina,
the fate Of two lives had been dcci
died upon its smooth surface. Net
tie and Philip walked up the grav
eIed path and into the library
where sat Mr.. Randolph idly gazing
ont upon the lawn. He turned as
tie sound of approaching footsteps
iel upon his ear, and groan es
capped him as he saw who were Tn,
cause of these footballs. Nettie slip
ped softly to his chair, and, with hel
hands clasped on his knee, locke,
up lovingly into his face. lie stroke,
back the brown ringlcts, and softly
patting the plump cheeks, he whis-
pcrcd "dcar child, | am bowed viii
sorrow when | look upon you, for
have loved you rs my own, and now
you will dcs Use mc.'
"Ncvcr, ncvcrD murmured she
throwing her arms about his neck
81 love you, dear father, tor my IA
thrr you will hc now.p And Philip,
knccing at his fathers feet, asked
again for his blessing on the future,
which was not denied him. 1t was
u happy family that night, and ne
one ever regretted the summer even
Z when the little boat was drifting
with the tide, for two lives now made
by God as one, drlItcd along on the
line OF years, meeting their joys and
sOrrowS, bearing lloir pains and tri.
ais with u firm in one anothers
love and devotion.