The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1875-08-05

Ill tnose days ahead which your pres
cnce will not brighten"
Grace was crying now, but there
was much happiness mingled with
her tears, despite her words, even her
halfreproaches, which escaped her,
and yet which told Of his affection be-
ing reciprocated.
':But the days ahead of us lie steep
ed in SO much shadow, Victor, it
seems mockery to speak of happi
ness
IL do not seek to bind you by an
engagement that would be dishon-
orable of a poor man, Grace" he
said, "and you will give me credit for
not acting impulsively IN this. Bu
/ am going away, and would take one
hope with me"
"And that hope ?" she asked, soft
ly.
els Of your waiting for me for
little while-of giving me time to
strive to gain position for myself,
here or abroad-of returning, short
while hence, and finding you free,
and glad to welcome me to the
old home. Grace, dare 1 hope as
much as that, or have I acted cruelty
in speaking Of my love at all? Pray
answer me-"
"Oh! Victor" she murmured, II
will hope with you
Thus the day Of parting waste Victor
Dufoy, in that first episode Of bliss,
day for great rejoicing. He had won
her love, she had confessed her wish
to wait for him: to believe with him
in the better times Of which he had
prophesied. For a few brief moments
|-brief as measured by the hour
glass, but strengthening many strug-
gle in the future-they forgot all but
themselves. The path leading up to
Wrayford's Nest was strewn with
roses and stepped in sunshine there
we're no troubles, poverty, or disap-
pointment in the world in which they
moved, and all the cares of life van
ished beneath their hopefulness. They
were intensely happy, proceeding
side by side along the upward path,
recking not Of the jealous eyes which
watched them as they advanced, be-
lieving not in misconstruction, seeing,
only hand s-throw from them, the
difficulties succumbing to their ener-
gy, and after that all glory.
| They we're speaking Of their love
| for one another, and their courage to
:, wait for each other, as they came be-
meath the porch of Abel Wrayford's
house; and it was not until they had
entered the sitting-room that they
went back to the real. And then it
was step made slowly and reluct-
antly, and they did not read at once
all the meaning in that haggard face
before them. Victor Dufoy said
; cheerfully,
"Well, Mr.. Wrayford, you see that
I have been fortunate enough to find
her,
When Abel Wrayford's answer
, came, the lovers were aware of
great change in him; and yet only
, three words, sternly and huskily de-
t livered, escaped his lips.
$50 I perceive" he replied.
"Oh!" exclaimed Grace, quickly;
but he turned to her, and raised
, hand by way of entreaty not to inter-
rupt him. She stopped, and regarded
him very anxiously now. He was
looking very white and haggard, his
! neckcloth was disarranged, strip Of
his collar had been torn from his
throat, as though rough hand had
] grasped him there, his gray hair was
disheveled, his hands were trembling
with passion or nervous agitation, she
Was doubtful which, until he spoke
again.
keep still, Grace he said. Do
not interrupt me. I am in trouble
y to-day, and this man is in the way.
|, Why have you not gone" he said,
S turning to Victor "Did you not
d say that you were going this after
noon?"
ayes, Mr.. Wrayford,' replied Vic
j. tor; "but not in that nngrateful haste
t which would prevent my saying good
$ bye to you. I have something to
communicate, which,
u Il will not hear you - said
u Wrayford, hastily breaking in upon
t him.
"Not hear me, Sir-not hear me?'
! repeated Victor, in his astonishment
y Il am only anxious that you
is should leave this place." said Wray.
l. ford "and never come back to me
e and her p
d "Great Heaven, his studies have
Y driven him mad p cried Victor Du-
e foy.
!, "Oh ! I am sane enough" cried
Wrayford, bitterly; "and cessation
e from study has only opened my eyes
It to the deceit which is around me-"
It "Guardian!' cried Grace again.
d "To his deceit, I should have said,
more JUSTLY" he replied. "For he
o has practiced his arts on both of us
o too WE'LL"
"sir, I love your ward" said Vic.
tor impetuously, "and I have at.
1 tempted no disguise of my affections. u
,, "You are an adventurer
IS "Mr Wrovford vou Enov-vo,,