The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-10-10

lies aud fourthlIet. A soon - the bene-
dit,ion wac pronounced, however, she
took ms arm hsslily aud pressed forward
toward The door.
II she was anaious 70 escape from any
one, to eln1e Any one, Der design was de.
teAled There was crowd near the door
aud our progress was obsgrucied. AZ we
waited in The porch, felt presence be-
hind US, and q low voice that could
scarcely have reached less sensitive ears,
whispered;
Look at me, Hopei Speak to mel Give
me oBe word, for Gods sake
She clung to my arm with close clasp
trembling ike leaf For an instant her
lace grew radiant as she lifted her eyes TO
meet the passionate glsnoes that sought
her own so eagerly. But she spoke no
word. lie leaned forward with another
whisper upou bis lips. Suddenly she
turned Tith au air Of decision.
Cousin Winifred - Miss Ethridge this is
Mr.. Willard Remington.
bowed; the gentleman bowed. Then
the crowd broke aud parted at the steps,
aud we all went our several ways.
Hope went sileatly half the way home
and walked, stsluc.like, beside her. AT
last could bear IL no longer.
What is il, Hopper Iasked. Tell me all
about II, dear.
Oh, there is nothing to tell! she said,
wesrily. Only am so very wrctchedi
and SO is-somebody else.
Is this Mr.. Thomas Remington's son!
| asked, to make assurance doubly sure.
Yes. And after little she told me all
there was TO tell; how they bad loved
each other for years, in boy and girl fash
ion long before this dreadful fend arose !;
how, as boy aud girl, they had given each
other up on account of the family
how Willard went West TO seek
his fortune as lawyer; how both im-
agined that they had forgotten the early
love, aud that the Old wounds were heal
ed; how he had came home year ago |;
aud how the first word, the first look ex-
between them had revived the
old affection, aud proved to them that in-
stead OF dying il had been gaining
strength through all these silent years.
But il was OF no use, she said they could
never marry. Aud now Willard had
come OH again, when II was only torture
TO both OF them TO meet, aud she did not
know how she could bear it.,
After that, day by day | watched the
that was going on in Hope Gard
ner's hearts struggle under which she
grew pale aud still and cold.
One night waylaid Cousin Hiram as
he was coming in from the orchard. He
looked worn aud depressed. Indeed, a
shadow rested upon the whole house.
Were you coming in2 asked. | was
just going up to the Spreading Tree to
see if the harvest apples were ripe.
Not yet, guess, he said, turning about.
But I'll go with you. Apples are late this
year, he added, refectively,
The large tree, renowned for its wide
spreading branches, was laden with fruit
even to the topmost bough-great balls Of
green and gold, that were slowly redden-
ing in the sunshine.
Hard as Rock Dunder, said my com.
panion, making..a slight indention upon
one of them with his thumb. They will
not be fully ripe in fortnight.
Cousin Hiram, said |, suddenly, while
my heart seemed TO spring to my throat;
Cousin Hiram, do you know that Hope
loves Willard Remington5
| was frightened before the words had
fairly passed my lips. | had broached, |
well knew, a tabooed subject. People
were not in the habit of taking to Hiram
Gardner about the Remlngtous. ven.
tured Que glance at his face. Ii was stern
aud dark, and his breath came in quick,
labored gasps. Presently be turned on
his heel, aud was about to leave me. But,
having pul my hand to the plow, 1t was
not my nature 10 iook back. ran alter
him aud repeated my question.
Pshaw! he said, tossing an apple into
the air with the Toe Of his boot. That's
all over long ago. There was some non
sense or other between them when they
were mere children, | believe.
You believe! Do you not kaor, Cousin
Hiram, that Hope loves him to-day!
Well. what is 10 be doue about il!
What il she does? be asked, turning up
on me like lion at bay. Do you sup.
pose can ever humble myself enough to
give my daughter TO that mans sonI Pll
see her die first! But there's no danger ;
girls don't die Of broken heart, except In
novels.
DO not be too confident, Cousin Hiram
| said. Can you not see that she Ia dy-
ing! | do not say that you will be com.
peled to lay her under the sod this year
or next Something will be left, proba-
bly,, that will move about your house IN a
pale, still way; something that will work
aud speak sometimes, aud-sufier; some.
thing With sad, weary eyes, and an air OF
hopeless patience. Bat your Hope, your
bright, joyous, loving child, your sun
beam, your song-bird, will be dead dead
a her brothers and sisters In the grave.
yard yonder!
lie sbivered from head to foot that soft,
balmy summer night, and bis mouth
worked in sudden spasm Of pain. But
! went on p.silessiy:
Il Is killing her mother, too; can you
not see iis Can yon not zee bow her
eyes follow Hope, how she grieves over
her, how her own cheeks pale whenever
Hopes grow white, how