Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-08-05

uhSuef oVas
1t was Ross who had spoken in
strange, quick manner, quite unusual with
him, and Alta, noticing that he was asby
pale, exclaimed:
"Why, Ross, what is the matter with
you ? Are you sick 2"
"No, darling, only a little dizzy. Come,
walk with me on the beach the air from
the sea will do me good. We will leave
Walter to finish his letters"
She took his arm and they walked
across the lawn and some distance up the
beach, until they were far beyond all other
rambles but Ross uttered not word.
Alta at length, fearing he was i'll, urged
him to return 10 the MOTEL.
"No, no, Alta; have something L
want to tell you. l have greatly erred
in not doing 80 before, but oh believe
me, my darling, l never intended to de.
ceive you. l would willingly lay down
my life to save you from pain, and yet L
must infict it; forgive me, love, forgive
me-" His words sounded like wall, and
into his face great sorrow had come.
"Of course l will forgive you. Tell
me what it is, Ross, dear; it can't be
vary bad"
II was married thirteen years ago,
and divorced three months afterwards
The woman l married is still alive"
Alta neither tainted nor screamed, but
every bit Of color went out Of her cheeks
and she trembled violently. Hc put his
arm around her to support her, and as he
did SO two or three great tears fell on Al.
ta's forehead when she could speak she
said
"Ross, l love you as few men ever are
loved. l viii love you always, but l
never can be your wife,"
"Oh Alta, don't say that; you are
my wife already in the sight of God. |
cannot give you up"
"Yes. Ross, you can do anything that
it is right to do. 1t will be hard, fear
ful hard but l cannot marry you" The
words were low, and her lips quivered so
much he could see that it required no
small sacrifice to say them.
Ross took hope from this, and went on
to tell her that when he was scarcely
twenty-oue, having gone West business
for his father, de met at one Of the 'front.'
ior forts beautiful girl, the daughter OF
an army officer, with whom he imagined
himself in love. Having obtained the con.
sent of her father he addressed the young
lady, who accepted him and they were
married Immediately. About three weeks
afterwards he discovered that his wite's
father had forced her to marry him on
account OF his wealth, and that she was
really in love with u gentleman attached
to the department. This greatly shocked
. him, and while revolving what course tc
pursue his wife eloped with his rival
, Then he came home and told his father
the whole story together they went Wes
|, and procured divorce. He learned very
soon that hisiwife had not stirred the depths
of his affections. and in short time thu
affair seemed more like dream than ar
actual occurrence. Since then be hat
never loved any one until he saw her pure
sweet face that morning on the porch.
IL should have told you all this, Alta
dear, before, but | was never taught tt
look upon divorces in the light you do
f and had no idea it could be any impedi
i ment to our marriage. o! my love, m.
, love, don't let it be-"
Still she adhered firmly to her first de
. cision, saying:
II don't blame you for not telling nj
before; understand it all, and / low,
you more than l ever dreamt could low
. an earthly creature how it grieves the +
think of being separated from you, yo'
I, cannot know, but it would be wrong, feel
r ing as | do on this subject, to marry you.
Then her self-control gave way, and hidip
: her face IN his bosom, she sobbed aloud
The evening had been bright and calm
As they left the hotel the sun was jus
sinking peacefully to rest, but as nigh
deepencd, change had come over nature
till now dark clouds were flying hither an
thither, blotting out the stars and obscul
7 ing the moon, and the ocean moaped an
sighed like living thing as the wind
, swept over its restless breast, Ross saV
the storm gathering, and shuddering'
D he thought it might be embematic Of the
4 future life, drew Alta 10 him more closel.
!. and pressing ras sionate kiss on her lip
J, said:
o .Alta, my life is bound up in you.
shall love you always. / do not think
o would be wrong in you to marry me, b.
a I will not influence you to do what yo'
: ;uapmept does not approve, but ] sha