Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-11-07


He. miOne. you Will nor refuse Z"
Poor Rupert, love you SO much, how
can ~
Then you gise your oOnsent!"
II do"
Brcathless and wild with pain, Linly tore
herself from the spot. She sought the house
now, and fleeing TO her own room, cast herr
self across the bed, writhing with anguish
Lostl Lost! They had all left her She
had not ono.
TIE tCA bell rang; she did not heed it,
lnquiring voices called her name she covered
her ears with her hands. Twilight aud dark>
ness filled the pretty white room the whips
Poor>wiil's cal came on the dewy air and tho
piano sounded softly in the room bclsEs Tt
was Hcrulono's touch, aud Rupert St Charles
was bending happily over ''lhc woman no
loved with his whole soul" no doubt. Poor
Linly she wished she could creep into her
fathers grave, and be out Of sight of their
happiness.
By-and>by, in the stiffness, she heard steps
on the stair. Was Hermione coming? Yes,
the door opened, and Iermioue's voice
syllsbled: Dear, are you horoy Why, wo
thought you had not come frum town"
She advanced into the room, putting tho
light she carried under shade iD the corner.
''You have come home with headaeho,
know-'he day hiss been SO lint; but you
ought to have drank some tea. Liniy, dear"
The graceful fragrant form pressed the
couch by the girls side a tender arm stole
around her neck.
Il nm glad We can be quiet. have some.
thing to tell you. DID hurt you, Liuly,
with my ring Why did you vince so ?'
"NO, Iormione. ieGbly.
''l.inly, something has happened tosday
which gave me great hope aud pleasure
Shall I tell you Y''
There was a little pauso-such hard liulS
pause.
Yes"
"YOu havO known my cousin, Rupert st.
Charles. year, aud you feel quite well ace
qusinted with him, do you not Z"
Quite we'll"
lie j; all be seems to be, Liply. Think
you Ike him"
No answer.
II hope you do, dear, for no is just what
young man ought to be-honorAble, pure and
steadiast-n -nnd the woman who has won Ills
love is fortunate, indeed-blessed, IL she re,-
turns it-ior he will mako n devoted husband.
She could not have better fato than 10 be,
the wife of Rupert ST. Charles"
Ilermione Thetiord heard her step. dauehS
ter's quickoned breathing, but could not seq
her face
al walked with him this afternoon in tho,
garden, and -surel y. dear, your head must be
very bad / heard you moan"
Very bad. But never mind, Hern,iono."
Gle urged me to promise which / was.
reluctant to give"
Yes"
81 hesitAted to take tho step ho urged;
upon me. because your father has been dead
such short time. aud others might think"
"Y"u need not care Whist others think, if
you are Sure "fyour own feelings, Hcrmiouc."
at is because | am sure of them Linly,
that at las. yielded. have known Rupurt
from child and he s one in a thnusand.-
So. dear. surely you will forgive me if you arc
averse to this"
"ForpiveY What should I forgive, dear
HeTmiCne Y
81 yielded. and gave my consent that no
should tell you his love, and try to win yours,
dear. For nothing could mako mo happier,
my dear girl, than for you to marry my
cousin"
Hermiones voice died away. There was
sound in the dArkcned chamber. Sho
listened auxiousy for Lnly's response, but
the girl realized nothing but tho feelings Of
her own heart.
"Wil you speak, dear"
"What shall say, Hermione ?"
''AFo you panied or pleased by what have
told your
''EIcrlnono, have been told that you and
Rupert ST. Charles used TO love each other''
81 have always loved Rupert as cousin
nothing more. il was your fother whom
loved, dear, nud 80 you next dearest my
heart have promised Rupert to urge you
to give him little sign nf encouragement,
aud 80 ho has sent you this blush.rose. IF
he may speak TO you. VICAR it in your hair
when he 10, night; If you haze no hopo
for him. you need not see him at all. dear, as
il may be painful TO you. and will surely dssh
his dearest hopes TO the ground" So will
tell him as gently as possible"
"Give me the rose"
Hermiono unfastcned tho cool, fragrant
thing from her own dark hair, and in the
dsrkness saw its whiteness lifted to the girls
lips
II will wear 1t"
Soon all CircleviIle knew Of Liniy's en-.
gagement, and this is tho way it was.