Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1871-08-02

compliments OF the evening, feigning in
the crowd an indifference which he was
far from feeling.
As the evening advanced, and the
dancers took their places, again they
found themselves alone near the broad
bay-window. Although Margaret had
earnestly endeavored to avoid renewal
Of the former conversation, she saw
plainly that it was now inevitable.
''YOu must hear me-" he began. "If
you scorn my love, you shall not remain
in ignorance of it."
She listened quietly, without word or
motion, while he told her, in words
eloquent with feeling, Ofthe love which
had burned itself into his heart until it
had become a part of himself, from
which neither life nor death could sep
arate him. He paused, waiting reply
to his persis tent pleading. Looking in
to her face he met there only look of
bitter, agOnizing suffering.
''Tell me, my darlingv he urged;
''what is this which divides us? Give
me but one word Of hope and my heart
will rest content"
At last the answer came, in a low
waiIing prayer:
"God pity us both! Four weeks from
tonight I am to be married"
The hour that followed seemed to
them both like some wild, troubled
dream. Afterwards in recalling it she
remembered that he bent forward and
kissed her hands, and as he did so, she
felt his tears fall hot and fast; tears such
as a strong man sheds but once in a
lifetime. He took from his bosom a
withered flower, and begged her for one
of those which she then wore. Unfast-
ening little knot of pansies from her
dress she placedit in his hand,
"Pansies," he murmured, "thoughts;
know well that there is no stream so
wide, no gulf so deep, but will ever be
bridged by my thoughts which'crOss to
thee"
Once more he took her hands in his,
kissed them revently, and turned away
forever from the woman he loved.
The next morning at an early hour
Harry Vincent left for the city. A short
time after, Mrs. Bacon and her COM
paniOnsreturned to their homes in New
York.
Let US follow Margaret Ashley to her
elegant residence in the most aristocrat-
ic portion Of the city. AS she entered,
none save the servants came to give her
welcome. Mounting the borad stair
way, she paused moment, then cross
ed the hall and opened the door into
large library. Here the light was SO
carefully secluded, that at first she
scarcely perceived the bowed figure sit
ting alone in darkness and silence.
Quickly reaching his side, she said in
tone of ineffable tenderness:
"My father! Ihave come"
Raising his head, her father eagerly
drew her to his arms and kissed again
and again the brow and lips of his
daughter.
20 father! Why did you send me
away?" she cried. "You have been so
alone, so drearyw
'It was best, love-" was the answer.
''I could not bear to keep you all this
bright summer from the cheerful society
which every girls heart desires"
How little that father suspected the
pain to which his anxiety for his daugh-
ter's happiness had led!
"But, my pearl" he continued, with
smile, Zone other has missed your
sweet face. Though Ralph Armstrong
is no young gallant, yet he has a true
affection for her who is soon to be his
BRIDE"
Margaret Ashley from her earliest
childhood had been the constant. COM
paniOn of her father. Her mother died
when she was an infant, leaving her
without brothers or sisters. Ralph Arm
strong had always received from her the
respect and affection due to him who
was her fathers loved and cherished
friend. Mr.. Ashley and Mr.. Armstrong,
when young men Of nearly equal age
and prospects, had begun their business
life together. Both had succeeded well;
both had, by life of industry and in
tegrity, gained wealth and influence.
Late in life Mr. Ashley had married,
but in one short year was left widow.
er. Years passed, and the lovely child,
in whom his deepest affections were
centered, grew to womanhood. It was
then that Ralph Armstrong first gave
expression to the wish which he had
cherished. Though entirely unexpect-
ed, yet nothing could have given great
er pleasure to Mr.. Ashley. Understand
ing her fathers wishes, trusting and re-
specting him who had always been to
her the truest and kindest of friends,
Margaret promised to become his wife.
Those few weeks in which she had
learned to love as never before, taught
her the bitter mistake which she had
ignorantly made. Yet, holding true to
her pledge, she resolved to walk with
out complaint, in the path she had vol
UNFAIRLY chosen. Whatever thoughts,
whatever regrets passed through her
mind as she made preparations for her
bridal, were shared only with Him who
comforts when all earthly helpers fail.
Seven years passed, and during that
time, no word of Harry Vincent had
ever reached Margaret Armstrong
Then there came a letter to her bearing
foreign post-mark. Opening she
read:
Harry Vincent. is dead. Tell her,
he said to me with his dying lips, "that