New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-08-25
E ORLEANS REPUBLICAN,, SUNDAY, AUGUST 25l 1879

she looked with anxiety for Roberts next
letter, which must, she thought, throw some
light IDOL the question. 1t came at last
a newspaper with it.
81 wonder what he has sent this for" eX.
claimed Grace, opening it, as Margaret
read the letter. lit must be something
especial. aOh, here is a marked paragraph
She laid down the journal with a look OF
dismay. Margaret had no need to ask. She
had learned already from her letter why the
paper was sent and what it contained.
my dearest sister, Robert wrote, II
don't know bow this will affect you. With
out talking much of the matter, Philip
always gave NE to understand that he con
sidered himself engaged to you, and should
urge upon you to marry him as soon as
home cares left you more at liberty. l own
| never supposed he would urge in vain,
and looked upon the affair as settled. Per
haps l was mistaken; l am sure l hope so.
| can not but believe that he has behaved
i'll to us-very i'll. His last letter, dated
not a week ago, contained rot the slightest
intimatiOn Of anything of the kind. l had
not answered it, and shall never do so now.
If he could leave us to learn this event
from the newspapers, our correspondence
can not be very valuable to him"
Grace and Helen echoed the exclama-
ton. They looked again and again at the
little paragraph, as if something new could
be elected from it, but found nothing save
the one uncOmpromising fact that Philip
Hearn, of Canterbury, had been married
on a certain day, by a certain clergyman,
to Mary, etc.
Margaret made no comment. Suspense
was now ended, indeed, but till this mo-
ment she had not known how her whole
future had been identified with Philip; this
moment, which forced her to %relinquish
even his friendship; to feel that she had no
longer right to any interest in him. She
was devoid of neither pride nor courage;
made no moan over her sorrow, even to
those who felt for and with her. After the.
first shock she gathered up her strength and
went resolutely about her duties. Nothing
was Omitted-rothing sighted; but the
heart was gone out of all; the world looked
so weary and hard.
Thus a week or two went by-lOng,
dreary weeks. Then, as she sat one day IN
room, trying to fix her thoughts IN the
letter she was writing, Helen came in,
excited.
cob, Margaret ~ she exclaimed, ode you
what has happened Philip is down
5~tairs!'
Margaret sank on a seat, almost fainting.
How was she to meet him? Why couldn't
le stay away, and spare her this, at any
Yet, since he was here, it would be
best to see him, not to appear to dread the
meeting; best, too, to have it over as soon
rs possible.
He came forward to greet her, Just as of
I'D. He seemed the same Philip she had
and loved all these years. She
Wished to show no cOldness-nothing that
.hOuld lead him to think she felt a right to
complain; but it was impossible that the
Onstraint should not be visible in her man
PhiliD gDPp6ilv observed If
care you quite well ~ he asked.
"Quite WE'LL she replied, trying to be
latural and at ease. Have you been in
1uildford long ,"
only an hour or two, as you might have
.uessed," he said smiling. II am never
lere very long without making you aware
f it."
And he could speak thus, as if nothing
.ad happened 1t was quite time, Margaret
bought, to remind him Of their altered re-
atoms.
Mrs. Hearn is with you, 1 suppose p she
sked in a voice which she strOve to render
~erfectiy calm and steady.
Excuse me, ~ said Philip, perpleXed; 81
ont understand"
She repeated the question.
Margaret !! " he cried, eXcitedly, rising
standing before her; what do you
~
I'VE saw it in the newspaper, " she ex-
lalned rather cOnfusedly, land l thought
would not be here alone"
Philip put his hand behind him and looked
t her with a bitter smile.
Eyes, you saw it in the newspapers, and
nat was enough, of course. If you had
that l committed forgery or murder,
would never have occurred to you to
Oubt it. Being printed, it must be true!"
ooh. Philip, you know we would not!
this was so different
Different! Yes! But you ought to
ave felt the impOssibility even more. Is
his all your faith in me, Margaret? all l
eserved Of you after these years of con-
p
Don't be angry" she entreated. "Then
isn't true p
at is true that a Philip Hearn was mar
ed in Canterbury. | don't know him, but
8 is a very good fellow, l believe. Once
? twice we have received each others let
| read the notice myself, and thought
by and by. Certainly, l could not
dreamed that any friend of mine
Ould suspect me of being the person.
ebert, too he added. 'he has not an
Tered my last letter. l suppose he saw
le paper also
"Yes," Margaret admitted. Don't blame
too severely. There was your name, your
sidence-what could we think p
you ought t. have thought anything,
.ther than have credited an impOs-
Il am very sorry" she said humbly, hold
g out her hand.
And she was sincere in saying so: she re-
cited to disDlease him. But it was a sor-
W so light in comparison with what she
ID been enduring, that it seemed very like
tppiness.
Philip was proPitiated in time; but would
his full forgiveness only upon one
observation-disclosures must consent to
AIRY hin as soon as the necessary cOndi-
)ns could be made. He should never trust
T out of. his sight again for any length of +
since 1t was impossible to fOresee !
nat dreadful things she might be imagin-
2 against him. 1t was quite requisite he {
ould be close at hand, and ready to ex- i
ain away any suspicious circumstance ,
at arose. {
Margaret laughed at this reasoning. and.
numerous objections to the plan.
t Philip Overruled them all. She should 7
as she chose; leave her mother and
ters, or take them into her own home, or 2
Ovide another for them, near at hand.
lily one thing was settled-she could be 7
owed such dangerous liberty no longer.
ID Margaret protested against such des- !
submitted; and then, of course,
was another Marriage Notice. q
1.-THE Boys Nest" I
years ago a farmer in the State of
York sent his son ROllin to drag a .