Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-04-27

she tripped into the garden for her morn
ing flowers.
Dear, happy child!' cried Herbert
Wentworth, as, with sigh, he watched
her fitting, like butterfly, from tree to
tree.
It only seemed the other day since be
had led away little, weeping girl from
the bedside of her dying father, who. con-
fding the young orphan to his friend
care, in trust and hope, turned his face
to the wall, and then, resignedly fell
asleep.
Herbert Wentworth uas, at that time,
man of twenty -eight-now ten years
had passed, and more. than one 81! vet
thread mingled in his dark hair, and the
child had becomessa lovely girl of eighteen.
How shall I bear to part with her ?
thought Herbert: 'How endure this dark
ened home when the sunshine of her
presence no longer gladdeus it =
Aimee returned with her flowers, but
she had suddenly checked the CHEEKY lit
tie cong she was singing. upon observing
the sad, grave smile with which her guar
d ian greeted her.
What is the matter, giiardyf do you
miss nything this morning. she asked =,
glaucing around the room, her thong hts
reverting to her new duties.
Yes, Aimee, my morning kiss. !
think you have forgotten that lately
She took her flowers and laid them,
gently on his lips.
THAT is better than a mortars kiss, for
the moon looked down upon them all
night, while the fairies danced around,
and then hid und or their soft leaves leav-
ing sweet, dewy kisses there for you
Herbert Wentworth opened his arms to
clasp her, but A imee had fed away
Three happy but uneventful month g
glided by. The beautiful Aimee Rochelle
had rejected lovers innumerable.
At length one more persevering than
his rivals. importuDed Mr.. Wentforth for
the hand of his lovely ward.
The day he so dreaded had arrived =;
his cherished bud had expanded into a
flower, an ! other eyes beheld its beauties
and other hands would fain gather it, to
transplant it in their own homes.
This letter concerns you and my child,
said Herbert to his ward. 1T is from
young Frank handsome Frank, ;
as he is called. He asks my consent to
address you. and my influence in his ia
vor. He-is wealthy but you, Aimee.
will not be portionless. The money your
father left has been well invested, and
when I render up my trust
Mr.. Wentworth SD exclaimed.
never let the subject of money be named
between you and me.
Then tell Frank Slater I decline his
offer.'
Pause we'll, my dear; IL is a most eligi-
bic one. He is of good family-bears
an irreproachable name
DO you wish me to marry this young
man?
She looked up at him, and as she wait
ed his reply, the color in her cheek faded
to an asbet whteness.
Yes; for I think it most suitable, and
doubt not you viii be happy
Happy! Do not mock me with that
word ?
Aimee clasped her raised hands as she
spoke; then. casting upon him one re-
proachful glance, she hurriedly left the
room.
Herbert Wentworth started. In those
harsh, impetuous totes, he hardly re-
cognized the sweet voice Of Aimee; nor in
that wild, despairiHg attitude, her child
like gentleness.
What can it mean p + cried, and, after
some moments of wondering thought, he
slowly and redectiyely followed his ward
to her own little sitting -goom
She was not there bit ON The table
was her open desk, and spread over i,
were letters, as if hastily torn from .here
Enclosures. HIS o,on letters, which she
had treasured. He looked again. There
was small likeness of himself Aimee
must have painted that from memory.
oh, my God y be exclaimed, 'hasi
Thou, then, such deep happiness in store
for me 2
A white figure was slowly pacing the
garden in the dark walk as Aimee nam
ed it, and which she said she hated for its
gloom. And now, with dropping head
and arms hanging listlessly down, the
poor girl had sought its shade.
But soon Herb,rs was by Ler side.
Aimee, my child!
Did you call me sir?'
He raised the little, cold trembling
hands, and held them in his own.
is our old love and friendship broken.
that you speak to me with such formal
ity?
'If-if-I marry Frank-it will be-
proper she sobbed.
You shall not marry him! I cannot
part from yGu, my darling happiness
the angel Of my house!'
Then you do not wish me to leave
your
DO wish it? Would 1 Danish the
blessed sunshine from my path p
The blush returned 60 Che fair cheeks
which she laid down Upon Herbert's
arm.
Aimee he continued I loved you
too fondly for my own peooe, and for that
cause I urged this marriage
She looked up proudly and bfavely.
And I. Herbert Wentworth, cared for
none but you in the wide world. And all
when I rushed away to destroy your dear
letters -and--well. never mind
what efst--n almost broke nv heart