Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-08-25

y
be but just acknowledgment of my
claims.
He gazed upon her anxiously to note
the effect of his words.
Her lips curled slightly, her dark
eyes flashed, as she rejoined:
81 will be no mans slave Herman
Aldrich.'
His face paled, his fingers carled to-
wards the palms of his hands. In
husky voice he queried:
"Then you refuse %
.Yes," firmly.
The man drew a long, weary sigh.
His soul seemed sinking. He felt the
terrible result of her obstinacy, it black
ened the future, it embittered the pres
ent. But he would make one more ap-
peal to her better feelings.
pauline, think what we are to each
other; remember we have but one life
Love is our anchor here in this world Of
trials. 7 beseech you to retract your
words By our hope of heaven I beg
you to consider your noble nature, and
put aside this wilfulness. One word of
yours either makes or mars our common
destiny. Dearest, best beloved, hear
me, think well before you speak
His earnestness touched her, but she
felt that he was offering an ultimatum,
and her pride rebelled.
Il have but to repeat my answer,
Herman she replied with deprecating
wave OF her little hand.
"My God! Then you love me not,
you never loved me-
did ever say | did %
He reeled and caught at the door-post
for support. Then turning his wild
eyes toward her, he answered in hol.
low voice:
"No, no; so far you speak the truth,
you never did But oh, that you could
deceive me so that you could promise
your hand when no love for me dwelt in
your heart. Was it for this that !
hoped and prayed? A mockery, a hol-
low home, form without soul? O
God. forgive herl'
She trembled as this low wall broke
piteously from his lips, her face grew
white, but she would not allow her nat.
,.--ai- -feoi--ss eo-oway.- She spoke, how
ever.
81 preferred you, Herman, to all 9th
ers.''
That cut hint seemed a sneer a
his love, at all love. He regained con
troll of himself, his features took on ;
look of scorn, and the words burst from
his lips -
pauline You have made me you
slave, you have cajoled me into the be
lief that you loved me, and now you de
fly me. now you tacitly acknowledg
without shame that our union was to b
one of form-a meaningless ceremony
IT'S over! tits the last You are free
have no claim upon you, no hope
regard to you; nothing but present sol
row. If in the future you find one
love, marry him; make him happy.
cannot take an empty heart. God ble'
YOU
He sprang forward, pressed one ks
upon her brow, and fed from the hous
She heard the door close, then her sens
became confused; the walls seemed
close in upon her, and she sank insens
BILE upon the carpet. Five minutes lat
her father found her there, her he;
resting upon one arm, her face dead
white. Lifting her in his arms, he bo
her to a sofa, and was about to ring f
assistance, when she opened her eyes.
"Stop! am we'll now she said il
pulsively.
'.But my dear child
: Enough. | will prove my words
And seating herself at the piano, S
dashed off a brilliant air; and tn
pausing. looked up into his face with
;. animated smile.
Il You're strange girl, Pauline. B
: tell me the cause of your fainting? ? the
must have been a cause searching
! Il ate too much dinner, l think s
n answered quietly.
. Disarmed of his suspicious, if any
q had, he gave the subject no further c'
sideration. The following event
h Pauline accompanied George Neville
! the opera. Every eye was bent ul
her with wonder and admiration, a
her escort felt glow of pride as
thought of the absent Aldrich.
. :. The next morning at breakfast
father glanced at her several times in
" regretful, half-reproving way, and Pa
inc, becoming annoyed, at length
III manded an explanation.
y Il have good reason to be both
u and vexed," he said gravely. -
we're at the opera last night, with N
n ille"
1t, ..And what Of that. pray p
ed Nothing. Of urse,-decidedly IL
ing, you wilful girl. Only-nark |
le. only-Mr. Neville had layed W;
It's previously that you would go with h
bel and he boasted of it last night at