Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-09-17

strengthened with time but DR.. Wilton, too,
had an opinion on the subject, and II there
was one man inclined to have confidence in
the opinions Of another. that man was Mr..
Howard. DR.. Wilton had expressed the idea,
after going carefully over great deal of sci
entfic ground, that unfortunate births arc not
the probable results from the marriage Of
relatives, except under peculiar circumstances.
and that IL is only where persons of similar
temperamens are united that this result is
probablc--or in other words, where both par
ents resemble the same branch of their family.
He drew these conclusions partly from M ex-
tended practical experience, and an opinion so
well founded had long since altered Mr. How
ards views in n very great degree But still
lie Thought that such marriages were not de-
sireble and that all things had turned out for
the best in regard 10 his daughter. Vivian
was young, and the army would eaure him of
his youthful inftuatCn.
And there he thought the matter ended
but,as the wisesi Of us sometimes do, che reck-
oned without his host, MS an old saying goes:
Tor, after the doctor pronounced Brenda, well,
she seemed TO decline; no vestge of her in
jury remained, but her natural vivaeity and
animation seemed in II measure 10 have for
saken her. She was, II possible, more ama-
Bile aud considpnte to those around her than
ever, but she was becoming an object of anx-
lous solictude TO ALL aud especially to her de-
voted father. Every one seemed to have an
Underlined fear that something was going
wrong in the household.
Mrs. Howard had vague impression that
her daughter condition was In some way as-
sociated with The sudden and unceremonous
departure of Vivian Barton but she had no
tangible clew 10 the case, aud so she waited
with the "eli-tricd pal fence of n mother
The fact was, the heart OF this fair flower
had received II shock which must have caused
it 10 perish, but for the timely circumstances
OF her fathers having drawn her to him, one
day asking her II she had any secret sorrow.
70 this inerrogalory the gentle maiden an-
swered mo, and would have concealed her
secret; but he saw the truth in her manner,
aud, taking Vivian's letter from his pocket,
he placed it in her hand and told her to read
| it, saying, rs he did so,-
'Brenda, do you love Vivian Bnrion2"
She answered, with her ans around his
neck, and her head upon his shoulder
'1es, even AS my mother loves you, dear
| father "
Mr. Howard kissed her, and said -
"Wcl, my darling child will not be an
obstacle in the path OF your happiness. With
your mothers consent, you may write to
Vivian, for know him TO he noble fellow
and ii he ever returns, and has not forgotten
you you may turn The old home OF my father
upside down and inside out"
So Brenda sought her mother, who was so
rejoiced to see the bright smile Of old on the
sweet face Of her daughter that she could not
have resisted il she had been so disposed, con-
firming the consent which had been given by
her father. After this event, a change soon
followed the old house grew TO be like itself
| again, aud so did the sweet girl.
One bright morning, a few weeks after a
famous battle, II soldier was seated on II bench
in front large frame church, not remote from
the field Of battle, and which had been strip
ped of it's furniture and converted Into hos-
| pital. Several large oak trees grew around
the church, and shaded the bench upon which
| the young man was seated. lie was unin-
formed private, and seemed weak, III and
detected. And indeed Vivun--for he IL was
had reached low stage OF misery, and was
| ready to wish that his earthly troubles might
| be ended by a friendly bullet. From his sad
reflections he was nj Inst awakened by the ar
rival OF the mail His own name was called,
and, meeting the steward half why, he re-
ccived his letter. The address was in mas
culine hand which he at once recognized AS
that OF his uncle, and, as he drew the letter
from The envelope the photograph Of his love
| ly cousin fe on the bench by his side. His
heart leoped with joy, and he unfoded the
welcome leltef and read as iolows:--
| DEAR COUSIN VIVIAN Ill the iates should
decide to place this nissive in yo1r hands,
perhaps it will serve to tighten the burden of
n soldiers life Papa showed me The letter
you senl him from The landing, and with his
| permission write TO say that, il GU live 10
return from war, and have not forgotten me,
he will address you in the language Of Laban
TO Jacob, l9th verse, and 18th chapter Of
| Genesis. BRgspA. ,,
vivian, on turning TO The passage mel ton.
| ed, found these lines "And LabAn said, il is
better that give her to thee than that should
give her to another man; abide with me- -
From this momont Vivian WAS "A new man.
Next his heart he wore Brenda's letter; il was
his star Of hope under the siege and in the
| battle.
ISLANDER. against Islander there is no de-
fence. Hell cannot bonsi OF so foul a jend
nor man deplore so foul u foe II stabs with a
smile; IL is n pcstileure walking 10 darkness,
spreading contaeion far and wide. winch tho