The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-09-04

arms of the chair close in the quivering
muscles of his own.
s.My name is Laura" she interrupted
softly.
"11rs. Delplaine!" he repeated, "you
will not remain here, neither will l 60.
You will take with you the only happi-
ness / have ever known; the memory of
twill perhaps serve to make the rest OF
my life endurable. And now let me tell
you, loveliest and most generous Of wom-
en-, why I cannot go and you cannot stay.
When I was but a lad of &C.," said the
preacher, "and still pursuing my studies,
I fell in love with young woman who
lived in the neighborhood Of the college.
I soon learned that her passion was
feigned from the first, and that she only
married me from motives of convenience;
but mine, such as it was, founded upon a
delusion, and nursed by ephemeral va
carries of the brain, led me into FOOLS
paradise, and even when the bitterness of
her mistake and my own began to cat in
to our lives, it sickens me to remember
how strove against it, how meanly and
servielly shut my eyes and CROPPED
blindfolded for the old mockery. But it
had long been a ghost, and the time
came when even the memory of it was a
curse. Then the cross was heavier for
her to bear than for me. Tied to a man
whose pursuits, thoughts, ambitions,
affections, she could neither understand
nor appreciate, condemned to the pro-
priety and soberness allotted to the life of
a preachers wife, even denied the com
fort of wearing gay trinkets and apparel,
often, she has told me she envied the
freedom of an Indian squaw, and how
glad she'd be to know nothing but Choc-
taw to get rid of the eternal preaching,
preaching -. ..s...I '.sa s..i2.-....s s..s b
'sPoor soul!" said Mrs. Delplaine, with
an involuntary shudder at the life the
parson portrayed. Then she added, with
infinite tenderness, "Ah! but she did not
love youp' .aui ...,. ......s H.. 81 .vs.-
"No," said Mr.. Hume, land God for
give me, there were times when I was
tempted to put an end to my life, it bred
such misery for us both. At last merci-
full providence-I can only think it such
-enfeebled her health, and took the cor
poral sting from her slavery. The power
full vitality which lent dangerous
strength to her longings and discomfort
was broken, and she become content to
be amused and taken care of in a way
that was possible for me. An old nurse
connected with the family was induced
to take entire charge Of her. The indo.
lence of southern climate suitedIher de-
sires and capacities. AS for me, the
rigor and sterility of this region held a
charm for me; its loneliness, its
| isolation, soothed and consoled me; and
! so the years went by, till you came.'''
Here he got upon his feet and bent
over her, taking both her hands in his
| His face had gradually gained sad
serenity. II cannot be sorry we have
met" he said, lit has been such joy tc
me. Even in parting there is something
sweet in the knowledge that you take
with you some brief interest in my poor
life" ...,
Mrs. Delplaine's hands trembled with
In his own. The story of the parson hello
something sinister to light, luxury Low.
ing nature. A shrill wind ratified at the
easement; hesvy black canopy OF cloud
had fallen upon the mountain and hung
there like pail; the room had grown
dark and cold. Suddenly Mrs. Delplaint
kicked with her little heel the embers in
to blaze; resolutely she turned from
the window; her eye shone tenderly; a
flame of color burned in her cheek. Il
"Why should we part?" she said look
ing gravely up in his face. II will no
have it SO. Why should both our live
be spoiledg You did what you could 70
her while she lived-7"
"Ah!" said Mr.. Hume, drawing quick
breath.
"What-wAat is it," cried Mrs. Del
plaine. |'She is dead; Hagar told me sh.
died long ago"
"No, no." said Mr.. Hume. s'God for.
bid! She is not yet fit to die"
Then Mrs. Delp'aine sank back in he
chair, and drew her hands from his. {"
would like to be alone" she said, an>
before he was'fairly out Of the room sh
burst into passionate weeping; but tn,
minister went. straight to his study, wher
he passed the night in wskeful misery.
At daybreak the stage stopped again
at the parsons door, and several bi.
trunks were he;stcd to the top. Haga
helped ia yelled and shawled fieVr
that seemed to the few posse ngers prin
cipally made up Of bi wistful eyes
These eyes were glued to the windows O
the coach, and'two other wild, haggart
orbs from the parsons study followed ths
numbering vehicle till it became lost ID
its tortuous descent of the hill.
All this Aappened not many years ago
and 1t seemed as yesterday to the poo,
parson whea, upon one morning, with ,
trembling hand he addressed a newspape.
to lady then travelling abroad. It con
| tanned the Intelligence of the death O
poor Mrs. Hume, at Nassau. The sol<
answer he received was shabby foreign
rsheet, wherein among the marriages h
|'found that of Mrs. Delplaine.
Instinct in Birds. g..