The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-05-16


longer, and--lefl me. Donot ask me what
has become of her f; dare not think.
have seen her once since; God grant
may never see her again. And | N.Y.
self You see me am alive, and
that is all. | can no longer earn enough
to live on; | am getting weak, | am
afraid. | grew desperate tonight and
came out, why and and where | do not
know. There is my tale. You see you
cannot help me. 1t was kind of you to
think Of helping me- 1t is getting late,
am afraid. Good night"
She turned quickly round, wishing to
hide the tears that were again coming
into her eyes, and in another moment
would have been gone but Vincent,
Fastening after her, again compelled her
to stav.
But | can help you; Miss Lindon.
| must help you"
His first impulse had been to offer her
money, but he at once saw how unwel-
come such an offer would be, how i'm
possible to make her accept of it. In
stead he proposed to find work, to pro
vide her sewing enough to enable her to
make a living. The offer was at once
thankfully accepted.
And said Vincent, as they were
parting, Il may see you again, | may
come and see you?"
q Thank you" she replied, firmly but
modestly, 81 had rather you did not, |
must work all my time, You are very
lind to get me work.
And so they parted.
Leonard Vincent was as good as his
promise with regard to finding Laura
work, but, after a few weeks, he proved
disobedient to her wish that he was not
to visit her. In time she grew more
cheerful, and more willing to talk freely,
though it was long before she lost, when
speaking to her friend, the air of reserve,
which was the result of her natural pride.
At last Vincent, obedient to an impulse
which had now become too powerful for
restraint, told Laura that he loved her,
that he wished to make her his wife. he
already knew that she was not Indifferent
to him, but he little knew Of the con
suming passion which kiudled at first by
gratitude, now burnt fiercely in her heart
of the efforts it had long cost her to choke
ardent affection meath the garb OF cold
respect Laura's emotions were power
/ full, but her self command still remained
more powerful and now, whilst she
modestly confessed her love, she urgently
/ besought her lover to reflect before he
committed what might prove an irrepar-
able error. But Leonard was needless
of consequences. In the warmth of the
moment, he sought an interview with his
father, and desired him to sanction his
marriage with Laura, at the same time
giving u truthful account of her life and
present condition.
Old Mr.. Vincent was a retired cotton.
spinner. His immense wealth had been
accumulated bylife long devotion to bust
ness and his nature, of coarse material
to begin with, was now rendered more
selfish and intolerant by the addition OF
a vulgar pride.
Furious at first when he heard Of his
sons announcement; second thoughts in
duced him to rely upon low cunning as a
better instrument against his son, who
was himself proud, but not ignobly so.
He pretended to consent to the match OF
one condition; that Leonard should first
enable himself to support a wife by hi:
own exertions, Independent of any hopes
he might entertain of settlement from his
father.
Loura had awaited the issue ofthe con
ference with outward calmness, but, il
reality, i'll suspense that amounted to
agony.
"You have asked?" she exclaim ed
hastily, as her lover came to see her i'm,
medi1tely, after receiving his answer.
can is well, dearest" he replied,
e:But We are both too young as yet. Let
us be faithful to each other. Till oul
marriage you will live at my home anC
my parents will care for you. | am going
to spend year abroad"
Laura strove bravely with her emotion:
and tried to appear glad. In another
week she was living under Mr. Vincent
roof, and Leonard had sailed for Amer
lea.