The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-12-30

the distance Then I went back into the
house, my heart filed with mingled emo
tions of joy and bewildcrment and fear, for
l could not dismiss the feeling that such
happiness could not endure, but must be the
precursor Of coming misfortune.
Strange how the shadows Of the future
will sometimes cross our hearts and dark
en- them, even in the midst OF the monday
Of joy!
The next day received letter from Sta
cy. Business would detain him from me
several days. l wrote in reply as he de-
sired, and with his second letter (yet DIS
tinct from it) came note from Mrs Will
ton requesting me to meet her at her coun-
try house, half mile distant, on the ftl-
lowing day.
Wondering what the strange summons
could import, proceeded, with not little
trepidation, to kavenswood, and found Mrs.
Wilton awaiting me.
She seemed greatly agitated, and alluded
at once to the object Of her visit.
ssLiss Mabel, l have left the city, secretly
and hurrledly, to ask you whether you
| think it is the part Of one friend to steal
| from another that which she most values?
Tell me, truly, is such an act honorable, or
like friend?"
..No-no-certainly not" l stammered,
while my heart grew cold, for L dreaded
what was to come.
| ..Yet you have done this" she went on, in
hard, ringing voice; you have protested to
be Laura's friend! You have tried to take
from her the heart of one who has taught
her to love him, who has told her that she
and none other should be his wife. In
short, Miss Markoe, you have beguiled an
engaged man into whispering love ditties
in your ears, and forsaking oneto whom he
is bound by every tie of honor and humani-
~! Do you hear, girl? He is .taithless,
dishonorable man, and but that Laura
would die of broken heart, you mig
have him in welcome. Oh! Mabel Mabel!''
she added, her voice changing to one of
pleading with startling rapidly, shave pity
on your friend! have mercy on me! do not
kill my child Stacy has whispered of love
to her for years past. She has twine,i her
affections around him until, to lose him
now, frail, weak girl that she il, would be
her death blow Oh! Mabel! give him up /;
send him from you and he will return to
Laura. Be just, be generous, and heaven
will reward the deed"
She knelt to me-she, that white haired
mother-wringing her hands in agony, and
listened with . stolid, stony composure.
.lf Laura were only stronger; if she were
able to bear the shock Of his faithlessness-
but she must never know how nearly her
happiness was wrecked; the knowledge
would bring her to the grave. Give him
back to her, Mabel; tickle, dishonorable as
he is. her life depends on her belief in his
truth He taught her to love him, to trust
in him. She has no thought of the future
apart from him Mabel, will you kill your
friend!"
: She looked up at me, her features con-
torted and agonized, and with powerful
effort shook myself free rom the cold stu
! Dor that seemed to paralyze my whole be
ing.
5 lis it true, Mrs Wilton?" l asked, in I
t voice whose sharp, metallic ring startled me
g lis Stacy Percival pledged to Laura? Has
he everasked her to be his wife!
Eyes, yes, it is true, and she believes hin
+, faithful They were to be married = few
e months hence, but you"
Il will not prevent it. Let Laura keel
him."
q .And you will give him up!" she cried,
0 eagerly, her pale cheek flushing.
'.Yes; why not. He is Lrura's, no
nine"
She looked at me, wonderingly.
"You are noble girl, Mabel; not man,
e would be 80 generous. But how-will yoi
0 write to him!'
"Yes. will write"
And at once. ere Laura discovers hi
falsehood? There are paper and ink. Oh
e Mabel, relieve u mothers anxiety. and dis
miss him now. that may post the note q
q once-this very hour"
With the same apathetic composure | sa
down and wrote rs she desired. q few word
1 only a few {yet, oh! how fraught will
bitter sorrow) telling him that wished hin
1 to forget all that had passed between Us
8 and that thought it best for US to not NEE
!. again, as my determination was unaltera
4 BILE.
Then gave the note to Mrs. Wilton, tia
e she might see that really sent him fror
me.
D Months passed on, and there came n
u word or sign from Stacy Percival. hear
1 from Laura occasionally not 30 frequent
u as at FIRST, for studiously suffered our COZ
}. respondence to droop, and finally it died en-
,irely away.
n Spring and summer passed by. and th
d leaves began to fall and rustic on tn
ground, dead. and scar. a. my own sorrow
; ing heart.
Il l tried t. forget. to be IS had been er
dreamed my brief love dream; and in th
o sight Of the world succeeded; but goo
Aunt Martha shook her head and sighed, Z
n she looked upon me, though she wisely n
e Trained from questioning.
r One bright day l received an invitation
e the wedding Of Laura Wilton and Stacy Pei
cival.
e l did not 80, though l had long though
TO do 60, and thus prove to him that hs
il not suffered; but had overrated N
' strength, and in tears Of agony passed II
g hours until knew that he l loved was th
husband Of another, and then, mot till ther
= realized that hope had not before deserte
q me, for only then did it fold its wings ~
" lie down and die
Several years passed slowly on. Aul
7. Martha had gone to sleep in the church
II yard. and for the second time an orpnal
was left alone in the gloomy old mansion
L. and