The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-11-27
Afeeling of bitter desolation fell upon

mAoee ptb hue uRu AiWhyb Deeu, naU
been canjed scarcely half year before
She loved Hermione, and bad believed
that Hermione loved her best OF any
thing in the world, but now it seemed
as II she bad no home in any heart,
MIR. st. Charles beautiful mare, Sui
tana, stood tied TO tree. For tho hrst
time the sight gave Linly pain instead
Of pleasure. She did not wish to meel
him, and she turned away from the
door and took to the garden path.
The grounds Of RyeIAnds we're old and
fine. The doctors large practice and
open hearted hospitality ha6 formerly
kept much state there, but Of late al
was very quiet.
She saw no one and her path wound
among Slru6bcry; but soon she heard
voices, and pausipg to learn what direc.
tion they were in, tho following conver.
saticn forced itself upon her:
al hardly know what to say"
"But, Hermione, surely you trust
met"
"Yes entirely. Bot, Rupert, wait
year. My husband has been dead
such short time, and I shrink from
such responsible not"
81 cannot wait a year. You know
how lonely I have been, and now that ]
love one woman with my whole soul
and she is free, and I can at last take
care Of wife-surely, Hermione, you
will not refuse? ?"
"Poor Rupert, l lovc you so much,
how can !"
"Then you give your consenti"
az do"
Breathless, md wild with pain, Linly
tore herself from the spot. She sought
the house now, md fleeing to her own
room, cast herself across the bed
writhing with anguish. Lost Lost
They had all left her She had not one.
The tea bell rang. She did not
heed il. Inquiring voices called her
name; she covered her ears with her
hands. Twilight md darkness tllled the
pretty white room the whip-poor:will's
Gull came on the dewy air, and the
iano sounded softly in the room below.
It was Hermione's touch, and Rupert
st. Charles was bending happily over
.. the woman he loved with his whole
soul," no doubt. Poor Linlyl She
wished she could creep into her fathers
grave, aud be out Of the sight OF their
By-and.hye, in the stiffness, she heard
steps on tho stair. Was Hermione
Yes, the door opened, and
aermioue,s voice syllabled: "Dear,
,re you herel Why, we thought you
md not como from town.
She advanced into the room, putting
Tie light sho carried under shade III
The corner.
"You have come home with head
,che, I know-the day has been so hot;
put you ought to have drank some tea,
Linly dear"
The graceful fragrant form pressed
tho couch by tho girls side; tender
arm stole around her neck.
"1 am glad we can beiquiet. l hAve
4omething to tell you. Did I hurt you,
Linly, with my riugl Why did you
vince 80 I"
"No, Hermionc, no, feebly.
"Linly, something has happened to.
lay, which gives me great hopc aud
pleasure. Shall / tell youi"
There was little panse-such hard
littlo pause.
"Yes."
"Yon havo known my cousin, Ru.
pert st, Charles, q year, and you feel
luitc well acquainted with him, do you
,!nt?"
"Quite WELL"
"lie is ail hc seems to be. Linls. l
think you like him."
No answer.
81 hope you do, dear. for he is just
what young man ought to be-honor-
able, pure and stradiast-and the woman
who hus won his love in fortunate, in-
decd-bl, ssed, il slo returns it-for he
will nuke devoted husband. She could
not have better fate than to be the wife
Of Rupert St. Charles. "
Hermiono Thetford heard her step
daughters quickrncd breathing, but
could not Q her face"
al walked with him this afternoon in
tLe ror,len, and-surely, dear, your
head must be very bad. l heard you
NOAH"
"very bad. But never mind, Her
mione."
"Ti0 urged mo to promise Which ]
was reluctant 10 pivc."
"Yes."
uI Le .itated to take the step he
urged upou me, because your father has
beeu dead such n short time, and Others
might think. u
HYon need not think what Others
think, if you are suro OF your own feel
ings, Hermioue."
at is because I nm sure OF them
hat / ut last yielded. l have known
l,np.rt from child, anil hai' ono IN a
'hou>anl. So, dear, surely you will for.
rive lnA II yOtl hFc hNcEee " tHto
Forgive What should forgive,
lear Hermiono"
al yielded, and gave my consent thas
lc should tell you his love, and try 70
win yours, dear. For nothing could
mako mo happier. my dear girl, than
Tor You to marry my cousin"
Hermionp's voice died away. There
yas no sound in tho darkeued chamber.
She listened anxiously for Linlys re,
,nopse, but tho girl realized nothing but
hc feelings Of her own heart.
"Will you speak, deari"
"What shall | say, Hermioner
"Aro you panied or pleased by what
/ havo told youl" ~,
Hermione, I have been told that
ron and Rupert St. Charles used to love
,ach other"
~ have always loved Rupert as a
t.:,, rothtnn mOFR IL Wl9 yOur