Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-01-25

David, when you shut me out OF your
life and home because | refuse to break
the fifth commandment, take care that
you do not shut out Gods blessing at
the same time"
Sallie had advanced to the outside
door and was standing on the thresh-
old, and the setting sun, which thro'
the hazy atmosphere, was red as blood,
shone full upon her. As she said the
last words she raised her hand to
heaven, and, bathed in that crimson
light, she reminded David of a mar
tyr in the flames. He thought that
she had never looked so noble, and
that he had never loved her SO we'll.
but he answered not word. He
walked home with her in silence, and
refused to enter the house.
When the news of the broken en-
gagement spread through ahe village
as it soon did, for David made no
secret of the affair-it was the occa-
sion Of much wonder and not little
gossip. Sallie's course was appland-
ed by the few, and condemned by the
many--but the few were those whose
opinions were most to be desired.
That she could Danish from her
heart love Of so long standing, with,
out struggle, is not likely, but on this
subject her lips were silent. She grew
little thinner and paler, but went
into society as usual, and neither seem
depressed, nor assumed an artificial
gaiety. On this account some called
her heartless.
"Isn't it shameful to see her wear
them pink ribbons as if she gloried in
what she had done?" said Mrs. Bur-
dock, which remark was duly repeat
ed to Sallie.
81 didn't know they expected me to
put on mourning" she answered, smi-
ling little bitterly.
When Mr.. Deering heard what had
happened, he said, Our Sallie was al
ways good girl" and then he seem
ed to forget all about it. He had re-
ceiyed a paralytic stroke a few years
before, and his mind had never been
quite the same since, so that nothing
made lasting impression upon him.
Mrs. Deering, on the contrary, begged
her daughter not to sacrifice her hap
piness to them.
MY happiness will not be sacri-
feed, mother" said SalIie, quietly.
Still it was not without a pang that
she saw David riding by with JEANNE
Burns-ho on the white.faced horse,
she knew so well, and she on her po-
ny. They saw her, TOO, and nodded
and smiled two or three times, and he
looked back, still holding his hat in
his hand. till they turned the corner.
Mr., Burch, beside being owner of
the mills, was an amateur farmer
He took delight in drives andstrange
breeds of animals, and rare specimens
of plants. He seldom visited the
mills, leaving the care of the business
almost entirely TO his foreman. Be
yond these facts, the towns people
knew little of him, for he lived in great
seclusion at his place, Riverbank,
which was a mile or two out Of the
village.
/ Having heard that his foreman was
about to be married, he had offered
him the prettiest Alderney heifer on
his farm as present, and invited him
to come and select it himself David
thanked him very heartily at the time,
but had never availed himself of the
offer. Mr.. Burch supposed that this
might be owing to difidence, and one
day rallied him on the subject.
I'm not going to be married sir
at least not at present" said David,
looking glum.
" Indeed hope nothing serious
has occurred, said Mr.. Burch.
It's all Off" said David, shaking
his head.
"A lovers quarrel, perhaps. If
that's all, don't despair. Young Ia
dies like to be coaxed."
Not Sallie, sir. said David.
" | suppose then she has taken some
new fancy. They're tickle creatures,
these woman kind. What suits them
to-day, ofends them tomorrow
Well, cheer up, my lad and learn to
get along without them, as | do" said
Mr.. Burch, smiling, and laying his
hand lightly on David's shoulder.
" I'm certain Sallie never loved any
one but me-" answered David, deci-
dedly, land since you are so kind as
to take an interest in the affair, | will
tell you the truth about it. She was
unreasonable enough to expect to sad.
die me with the care Of her old father
and mother"
And you couldn't afford to take
such a charge. Well, I'm glad YOU
told me, for that is easily settled
Rather than that two young people
should be disappointed, I'll raise your
salary"
Z" 1t was not just that, said David
the Deering'S have little property
!, OF their own-but she had some fine
! spun notions about the matter, anC
wanted to take them into the family
Obi" said Mr.. Burch. aud paused
abruptly, seemingly intently occupied
with punching little holes in tn,
:. ground with his gold-headed cane
"One shouldn't be hasty in affairs of
so much Importance" said he a
! length. Perhaps YOU may yet induce
her to reconsider"
), 1t would be Of no use to try" SAT-
David, for you might as well attemp
to move the sun, as to move Salli
Deering when once she gets set upol
anything she tancles to be her duty.
Very unreasonable truly" sal,
Mr.. Burch, but there was touch O.
sarcasm in his tone, and you couldn'
: think of yielding, yourseIf?"
= Never, sir, nerer."
y Well, you shall have the Alderne
all the same, for | suppose you won
>, sell your place? ?"
Not |, sir, nor buy rope to han
myself with neither"
Mr.. Burch laughed, and as he wall
/ ed away, he said to himself, II CUES
d the heifer will console him for his loss
David did not indeed buy rope t
hang himself, but he slipped his nee
y into the matrimonial moose in til
: course of few months, and moved ii
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