Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-11-21
GRACE sTANLEY's DECISION.

GRACE STANLEY'S DECISION.
81 dare say, Oracle, you have by this
time, made up your mind as to what you
propose doing1" said Mrs. Manning, in q
half doubtful manner, gliding into her
neice's chamber and furtively casting her
eyes over its rich and delicate appoint
ments.
eyes, auntie, believe have" re-
turned the young girl, looking up hastily
from just-finished note on her escritoire,
and rising to offer some courtesy to her
sunt.
"And pray what is iti' said Mrs.
Manning, peering searchingly into the
tender blue eyes of her neice, and eyoking
from her treacherous blush. "You have,
at least, taken long enough to come to q
conclusion"
Grace turned away to avoid the gaze OF
Mrs. Manning, and a happy couplet recur-
ring to her memory, she smiled pleasantly
under the deepening blush, and gaily sang
'And of the choice who can doubt,
OF tents with love or thrones without"
A frown usurped the questioning ex-
preston on Mrs. Manning's countenance,
and, reddening with anger, she said:
"And so I an answered." "You will
marry Oscar Howard?"
"That is my intention, aunt" said
Grace. firmly.
"And will throw away all chances for
an alliance with William Duncan?"
without doubt, auntie."
"And per consequence" said Mrs.
Manning, cold, sarcastic sneer distortiag
the symmetry of her beautiful lips.
But Grace would not allow her aunt to
finish her sentence.
Must arrange at once to seek other
shelter than my uncle's roof. / feel
know this"
For q moment a look of tenderness
SWEET over the face of the fashionable,
world-loviEg woman. a sudden rush OF
recollection brought before her the death
bed of her only sister, and the words with
which she committed to her the charge of
her only child-a little cherub of two
years, that hid its faxen ringlets on
auntie's bosom, and wept herself sick
when they shut up pretty mamma in the
box.
All the winning gracefulness, all the
tender affection of this child's childhood
and youth came up before her hearts
vision, and she doubted whether her own
conscience would Justify her, or whether
her own happiness would be materially
increased by proceeding harshly against
her neice. But the world came in with
its cruel cyniciSm; she had never loved,
herself; but she was rich and evied, and
to place her penniless niece in the same
position, would, in her estimation, be full
filling all the requirements of her adop-
ton.
And then the voice of her dying sister
stole up like broken chords of sweet
music through her soul:
eff my little girl should live to be q
women, do not force her heart, Emily.
DO not let her be sacrificed in marriage to
any consideration, but the holy one, which
should rule in the bridal. I married a
poor man-my family discarded me for it
but was happy and now am going
to meet the husband of my love, where
marriage is eternal"
The brown, tringed lids closed over the
violet eyes, the pale lips murmured:
lord, Jesus, receive-my-spirit."
\ seraphic brightness flashed over tue
pale face, and the spirit of Marian Stau-
ley had Joined Its love.
Mrs. Manning remembered all this, and,
closing her eyes against her rebelliouS
niece for few moments, sat holding COM
munion with her own soul. 1t was over.
She got up and, without word, left the
room, returning almost Immediately.
"lf it must be-" she said, cody,
"hasten your preparations, laying before
her niece well-filled portemounaie.
"Thank you, aunt, :" said Grace, decid-
edly; returning the pocket book to her
aunt, Il shall not need the contents OF
this. In the station that shall fill. as the
wife of merchants CLERK, shall not
need costly wardrobe, and if you will
permit, what have already will answer
all my purposes. Under the circum-
stances, cannot think of accepting a sin,
gle dollar from you"
"Grsce Stanley" said Mrs. Manning,
sharply, "whst will the world say of mel
Nothing, aunt, but that your niece
vas ungrsteful, disobedient and rebellious
neither of which, thank God, she is
and deserved expulsion from your roof
with all the penalties that attach to self,
will and waywardness
In the meantime she had donned her
cloak and bonnet, and taking the note to
Danton, in which she had told him of hel