The Van Buren press., 1876-12-12
They had all left her She had not one

Inouiring voices called her name; she
covered her ears with her hands. Twi.
light and darkness filed the pretty white
room; the whip-poor-w lis cell came on
the dewy air, aud the piano sounded
softly in the room below. 1t was Her
miones touch, aud Rupert st. Charles
was bending happily over "the woman
he loved with his whole soul, no doubt
Poor Linly she wished she could creep
into her fathers grave, and be out OF tae
sight of their happiness.
BY and by, in the stiffness, she heard
steps on the air. Was Hermione com.
ing Yes, the door opened, and Herml-
ones voice syllable "Dear, are you
here? Why, We thought you had not
come from town."
| She advanced into the room, putting
the light she carried Lnder a shade in the
corner.
"You have come home With a headache,
know--the day has been SO hot; but
you ought to have drank some tea, Lin
ly, dear
The graceful fragrant form pressed
the couch by the girls side a tender arm
stole around her neck
II am glad we can be quiet. l have
something to tell you. Did hurt you
Linly with my ring2 Why did you vince
so ?"
mo, Hermione, no. feebly.
"Lnly. something has happened to.
day. which gives me great hope and
pleasure. Shall tell your
There was little pause-such hard
little pause.
Yes
"You have known my cousin, Rupert
ST Charles. a year, and you feel quite
well acquainted with him, do you nott'
"Quite we'll"
"He is all he seems to be, Linly,
think you like him"
No answer.
II hope you do, dear, for he is just
what young man ought to he honorable,
pure and steadfast-and the woman who
has won his love is fortunate, indeed
blessed if she returns it-for he will
make devoted husband. She could not
have better fate than to be the wife oil
Rupert St. Charles T"
Hermionc Thetford heard her step.
daughters quickening breathing, but
could not see her face.
Il Walked with him this afternoon in
tae garden, and-surely, dear, your head
must be very bad heard you moan
"yery bad But never mind, Hermi
one"
"Ie urged me to promise which
was reluctant to give
Yes"
81 hesitated to take the step he urged
upon me, because your father has beer
dead such a short time, and others might
think--"
You need not care what others think
II you are sure your own feelings, Her
mione"
at is because am sure of them, Lin
ly, that at last yielded. known Ru
pert from child, and he is one in Q
thousand. So, dea', surely you will for
give me il you are averse to this
"Forg,ve2 What should l forgive
dear Hermone p
III yielded, and gave my consent that
he should tell you his love, and try to
win yours. dear. For nothing could
make me happier, my sweet girl, than fol
you to marry my cousin 4
4 Hermione's voice died away, There
was no sound in the darkened chamber
She listened anxiously for Linly's res
ponse but the girl realized nothing bu'
the feelings Of her own heart .,
"Will you not speak, dear?"
"What shall say, Hcrmione ?"
"Are you panied or pleased By what
have told you p
"Hermonc, | have been told tnst you
and Rupert st. Charles used to love eacl
other
II have always loved Ruper tasntc,
in-nothdg more. 1t was your fathel
whom | loved, dear, and so you are mex
dearest to my heart. have promised
Rupert to urge you to give him little
sign of encouragement, ana so he has
sent you this blush-rose. If he may
speak to you, wear it in your hair wher
he comes tomorrow night; il you hav'
no hope for him, you need not see him a
all. dear, as it may be painful to you
and will surely dash his dearest hopes t6
the ground. So, will tell him Is gently
as possible ... ...
"Give me the rose."
: Hermione unfastened the cool, frag
rant thing from her own dark hair. and
in the darkness saw its whiteness lifted tt
the girls lips.
/ II will wear it,"
Soon all Circleville knew Of Linly''
engagement, and this is the way il was.
A hotel is advertised as " kept by th'
widow of Mr. Brown, who died last sum
: mer Oh new and improved PLAN
pretty Wisconsin schoolmarrn, tt
encourage promptness. promised to kis'
the first scholar at school, and the big
boys took to roosting on the fence al
night.
E" Peter. don't you enjoy the astronom
ical phenomena these evenings2' said |
well.to. do citizen, residing in West II r
risburg, to his colored erRploye the 9th
.r evening. "Clar to goodness, ! neve
tried EN-; mushmcon is my favorit'
fruit "