The anti-monopolist., 1875-12-30

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
Ell them, even in the midst Of the monday
Of joy!
The next day received a letter from Sta
CIV. Business would detain him from me
several days. | wrote in reply as he de
sired, and with his second letter (yet dis
tinct from it) came note from Mrs Viii
ton requesting me to meet her at her coun-
try house, half a mile distant, on the fCl-
lowing day.
Wondering what the strange summons
could import, proceeded, with not little
trepidation, TO havenswood, and found Mrs.
Wilton awaiting me.
She seemed greatly agitated, and alluded
at once to the object Of her visit.
"4Iiss Mabel, 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 q frlend?'
..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 protessed to
be Lauras friend! You have tried to take
from her the heart OF one who has taught
her to love him, who has told her that che
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 ne
| is bound by every tie Of honor and humanl-
| ~! DO you hear, girl? He is '1althless
| dishonorable man, and but that Laur:.
would die of broken heart, you mlg ght
| have him in welcome Oh. Mabel Mabel
She added, her voice changing to one Of
pleading with startling rapldity, 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 twinel her
affections around him until, to lose him
now. frail, weak girl that she il, would be
send him from you and he will return to
Laura Be just, be generous, and heaven
will reward the deed"
She knelt TO mes she, that white haired
mo,her-wringing her hands in agony, and
| | listened with a stolid, stony composure.
| IF Laura were only stronger if she were
able to bear the shock Of his faithessness-
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. Hetaught her to love him, to trust
in him She has no thought of the future
apart from him Mabel, will you kill your
frendy"
She looked up at me, her features con-
torted and agonized, and with powerful
effort shook myself free from the cold stu
por that seemed to paralyze my whole be
ing.
is ttrue, Mrs. Wilton?' l asked, in ;
voice whose sharp, metallic ring startled me
lis Stacy Percival pledged to Laura? Has
he everasked her to be his wite7
"Yes, yes, it is true, and she believes hiu
faithful They were to be married few
months hence, but yoU-''
II will not prevent it. Let Laura keel
him"
And you will give him up" she cried,
} eagerly, her p4le cheek flushing.
.Yes; why nots He is Lrura's, no
mine"
She looked at me, wonderingy.
You are a noble grl Mabel; not many
would be 50 generous But how-will yoi
write to him."
Yes, | will write.
And at once. ere Laura discovers hi!
falsehood? There are paper and INK. Oh
Mabel relieve mother : anxiety, and dis
miss him now, that | may post the note a
once-this very hour"
With the same apathetic composure | sa
down and wrote rs she desired, a few words
only a few (yet OH, how traughs viii
bitter sorrow telling him that | wished hin
to forget all that hai passed between Us
|, and tha, thought it best Tor US to not NEE
again, as my determination was unaliera
| bic.
Then gave the note TO Mrs Wilton, I q
, sh might see that really sent him from
me.
! Months passed on, and there came n
! word or sign from Stacy Percival. hear
/ from Laura occasionally not so frequentl
as at first. for | studiously suffere our cor
respondence to droop, and finally it died en-
tirely away.
4 Spring and summer passed by, and tn
l leaves began to fall and rustic on tn
ground, dead, and scar. as my own sorrow
J ing heart.
: tried to forget. to be as had been er
I dreamed my brief love dream; and in tn
0 sight of the world l succeeded; but goo
Aunt Martha shook her head and sighed, q
4 she looked upon me, though she wisely re
e Trained from questioning.
One bright day received an invitation {.
the wedding of Laura Wilton and Stacy Pei
cival.
did no, 60, though had long thsugh
to do so. and thus prove to him thai l ha
/, not suffered: but l had overrated N
: strength, and in tears of agony passed th
hours until knew that he loved was th
husband of another, and then, not till ther
realized that hope had not before deserte
j me, for only then dill It fold its wings Al
y lie down and die
Several year. passed slowly on Aur
:. Martha had gone to sleep in the church
i yard. and for the second time an orpnar
was left alone in the gloomy old mansion.
: One day visitor was announced, and
entered the parlor to meet Stacy Percival
' Mabel" he commenced abruptly. afte
-.