The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1871-11-22

OF natuTe ana freedom, GOULD enjoy j.. H
had donnrd the laborer's suit. and hs,
gone to work with a zest that made res
and sleep. and Mrs. Sta,hope's good sub
stantial meals. true luxuries. But View,
only knew that he was Frank Wymsn. on
If the field hands. Yes, she knew tha
among all her many admirers, she ha,
never seen SO tall. vigorous and manly
firm, 5" high and noble brow. or sucl
deep. thrilling. soul-speakiug eyes. But
pshaw what WAS all that to her-he wa
only poor country farm hand, not even
farmer.
The weeks passed on like fairy dream
Vincent would fit back and forth from
city to country. like an idle butterfly thu
he was. Vievie spent the time between hi
visits in walking riding, or sailing on th
river. with Franl<too often her Companion
Yes. too often. fer .unconsciously she wa
bsgpniaS; as;ut;srsa,; e to listen to his quiet
expressive eyes. tand his calm. respectful
manner towards her. Always distant. bu
courteous. he had never shown that b.
thought her more than mere passing &C
quaintance and so Vievie, unalarmed by
any action ofahis. dreamed on. aud innocent
ly believing aher heart true to Vincent
Her whole life that idle, dreamy summer
was like dream in which che took no par
but glided unoonsciously along with it.
But an awakening came at last. Vincen
had been down and had been more impetu
Gus. impulsive aud boyish than ever. urgine
her to speedy union and declaring that he
could not live without her. At last she hae
promised. and his rhapsodies had been 81
persistent and passionate, that his depart.
ure was q relief. And now she sat at he,
window Watching that old yet ever new
ever beautiful scene-a sunset. and looking
her future steadily in the face.
why Is it that dread my marriage day
SO much Do all young girls on the eve
of a new life, feel SO reluctant, wonder p
she unused aud then the name of Frank
trembled on her lips. mo, not him New.
er him." she said resolutely, while her com.
pressed lips. and face slowly paled till they
looked cold and still. like marble. "a
country laborer 4, penurious farm hand
lore him Never" Then the words
| -he had somewhere read rang faintIy
through her brain
Il do not love tn Ie do no. love thee,
lido not, thougbseoscothered thrill
ouekeas s.,s the da,fas of my heart when thou are
quick. strong beating that I cannot STILL"
Then she pictnTed Frank as be longing to
another. az being lost to her entirely; with
one grent heart bound and one fearless sob,
she sank upon th4 floor. 20 l do love him /!
God help me! love him aud bound to an
other! love him masked. and unIoved in
return" !" Tears came to her relief and she
wept long and bitterly. Then with prayer
TO Heaven tor help, to do her duty, she
SaH n 4 J., 4
to pack up her posssions. II must 90
home and the sooner am-married, the
better. for as for the wife of Vincent can
not, w'N not think of another. One more
evening with good Mrs. Stanhope. one more
faras.ana tileS7yoo- to them al for
ever. Oh. Frssk. Frank, can ever for
get you! This nappy. blissful summer
with you will ever be green in my memory.
Oh, that could forget" The tears sprung
again to her eyes but she fiercely brushed
them away.
Vincrnt was there again the next day.
ard together they wandered over all the old
walks aud stopped at last close to the rivers
edge. The river was deep, with a swift.
strong currpnt, and We've had often stood
gazing into is dark. gloomy depths. dream
ing for houh; now she bent over them ST.
Iently, soarcef. hearing Vincent's passion
| ate words Juy across the path in the
mex. fss were the haymakers. aud among
them 6 fortr.k kingulsbed Frank by his
tall e. s..r.tal form and his easy.
gracefu, motioUsR x her eyes determined
40 she would. u:}k the water. they would
wander to him. scf had Vincent known how
far her thoaginf 1ere away ficm what he
| was saying. be pld have been more i'm
patient and .reps5 Eehtul than ever. But
vievie was growing 90 weary OF his cease
less homage. and = fancy seized her to see
how far down ske could look into the clear
| water Of the river There was an old tree
| near them that hid fallen with its top far
into the stresm. 0nt upon that she climbed
as far as she coald 60, spite of Vincent's 9
entreaties. and lightly leaning over an old
bough she gazsA down. down into clear,
| swift waters. But the old decayed limbs
could not bear up even her slender form,
and swaying and trembling few moments
I thew fell with ap.Ash and left Vievie sfrug-
Cling in the coli river. She gras2ed one
| limb after another, but they all gave way
and she gave " in despair. Meanwhile
| Vincent was delivering q series Of fright
ened yells, rupsing up and down tho bank,
and jumping il and 'ut OF the river. and
finally pulling of his ''beautiful fitting
boots and laying them carefully on the
log. He was just deciding to wade out 9
little way int she water, when Frank
Wyman bounded past him, and plunged
into the river. Some of the harvest hands
started for a best q quarter o. mile up
stream. others sapd Aopelessly With Vim
towards Sss9s- 'asiAs' ssas'
and gra.fed her firmly jest - she arose
He struck out vigoro asly for the shore. oa'
the swift, strong current carried hlsn far'
,bsr AMI farther down the stream. and spite
Of AL bis efforts. burdened a. hs was, h'
c,uld not get near the bank. HIS only
hone wus that he e0uId keep up till the ooa
came; but at last be despsired oven ef tnat
oh Vievie, I cannot save you. Got
help us, We must die together. "Leav'
me aud save Yourself said Vievie faintly
Never! Oh darling! with death 30 cios'
it cannot be wrong 10 tell you how pas
! 4.ionately l love tou vievie Vievie, on
word Oh God, she is dead" But she va
not dead, only exhausted. One faint smile
one low whisper, II love you. and be
srnses left her. With a new strength il
his arms and new hope in his heart. be ex
rrted himself once more, and with aimos
superhuman effort kept Visyie and inssI
above water till the beat cane. and the.
were lifted almost lifeless into Il.
Craseless and untiring care at hat re
stored them both. Vincent was beudinI
.nrr Visvis With passionate extrsvagaute ex
carnations. and prsyisg her TO lixs for bin
, when she csmo to heryef. ~ ,
Vincent, if my lfais not north to 20
, the riskisg oil your own tosevs it, you can
. not have It. 1t is useless to say more
, hancaf,rth Won are nothing to me- \