Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-12-20

think that our readers will concur with us in
the opinion that it does credit both to her head
and heart. - Ed. Stanton Spectator. aa aes
s8Gaae a1ow e0e bus For the Spectator
1eiio LORENA AND PAUL VANE;
3aa ,s9s9tu fbal4 ,s1il,o,pp' op 2 se5itA-sa ~
: = saS 10 All Fer The Best aY 913
1t was dreary November day-the wind
walled like funeral dirge through the trees
which surrounded the mansion of Oak v ale.
In one of the splendidy furnished drawing
rooms of this same mansion, upon sofa, sat
Lorena Grayson. Her head rested upon her
hand and her long chestnut curls fell oveT and
half hid ner face The fire in the CRATE was
burning low and the chandelier had not been
lighted The shades of twilight were gather
ing fast about her and the room was getting
cold-but she seemed to take no notice OF this
and sat as if listening for somethiDg-quite
motionless, save that one foot softly tapped
- carmel b5cc.eath it. At length there was a
sudden ring at the otlcov. -, "DN '-i0 i"'seo
her head instantly and pushed back her hair.
A moment or two later and gentleman of
about two and twenty stood beside her, She
arose and they looked at each other for while
in silence. /, He was the first to speak: 81
'Lorena, is there no hope for us p
Now, Paul, they have sold me for gold, and
piteously trampled your soul and mine beneath
their feet"
But, Lorena, perhaps you might have tried
more
NAY Paul, it was Gods will, and could
not alter that you know ssa
IF you love me" he said little reproach-
fully, "you would not speak so coldly."
She answered meekly, ''if you could look into
my heart and see how much | have suffered,
you could not wrong me By saying that. My
mother would not sanction our union, therefore
], could not expect Gods blessing upon it.
= Lorena,- you are the soul of my existence,
[ cannot give you up. s~4 6.eis Esf9s
Not in your own strength, but God, who
has required the sacrifice of you, will surely
enable you to make it. / feel that he has dark
ened our mortal lives, that the Immortal may
be brighter and more beautiful. They cannot
separate us in Heaven. . a A
.Lorena, / am farther from God and Heav-
en- this night than l ever was IN my life. There
does rot seem to be much justice in them. =
:-i,:n. hnt there is justice and you will one
day know that ::.;s is ail for the best
He looked into her lace sir IN instant, and
that glance spoke the farewell Shia,, words
could not utter and he went out from her pres
ence. She watched his retreating form until
it was hidden from sight and then sank back
unconscious upon the sofa from which she had
arisen. When she revived, the cold naughty
face Of her mother was bending over her. -.
Il hope Lorena" said she, that Paul Vane
has been here for the last time, and we will
have no more such scenes as this. Clarence is
waiting to see you and you must 60 down di-
rectly. s4 20
Leave me alone tonight, mother" sal d the
young girl, and touched by the earnest appeal,
the proud woman yielded to her request, and
soon Lorena was left alone in her chamber "a
lone with her sad thoughts. The autumn of
her life had come with the autumn of the year.
There were no stars in the sky that night, and
there were none in the sky of Lorenas future
destiny, save one that shone through the golden
gate Of the upper shore, which God while He
chastened with one hand, lighted there with
the other, and its beams sent a calming In
fuence to her soul, just as it has done to mil
lions Of other suffering souls since sin came In
to our world; proving that God, when he af-
ficts, comforts Also In love He gives and in
love He takes away, and when He takes He
gives us something better and nobler to fill the
vacancy, though we too often harden our
hearts and refuse to receive the latter gifts
showing rather that the void should remain un-
filled. 1t was not thus with Lorena. Her
spirit was too much crushed to rebel, and as a
tired child sinks upon the bosom OF its mother
she sank into the arms of refuge opened fol
her. Father, give me strength to do thy
will, was the cry of her sorrow-stricke heart.
God heard and sent an answer to her prayer,
and just as the hall clock was striking eleven,
she sank into tranquil slumber and slept un-
til the beams of the morning sun passing
through her half CLOSED curtain awakened her.
Only two days after this she stood before the
altar with Clarence Hope. There was look
of unnatural calmness about her features, and