The National tribune., 1879-05-01


evidently and rapidly falling and at length, Isabel
met the interesting stranger no longer.
Three days elapsed and her attendance ON her friend
became penance. walk proposed, and weary OF
herself sic~gladly became one of the party As they
passed within view of the village cemetery her attention
arrested by funeral procession. Their duties We're
finished and they returning; but there who
vet fingered and with folded arms, leaned the
made grave Could IL be yes It was the young stran-
ger and Isabel comprehended the melancholy scene
The party proceeded and their return the surround
ing landscape flooded with the silver light OF the full
moon.
The feelings of Isabel were rendered yet intense
by the sotenng influence of the hour, and almost una
BILE proceed she leaned the of her friend whose
health was yet but impertecty restored and fell behind
her gayer companions A gain her eye turned to-
ward the last asylum Of humanity the solitary mourner
had left the spot and with fatering step slowly
returning the village Their paths inersected and he
already before her He bowed, and both were some
moments silent c at length said, in voice OF suppress
ed emotion
"The cause that brought me hither terminated
in the grave. leave this place tomorrow Permit me,
then miss this of sorrow, thank you
for the interest you have evinced in the suerngs of my
departed father and for the soothing attentions you have
paid him. If the cup of afiliction ever yours, may
spirit gentle as your temper its bitterness
being, bright and lovely yourself hover around
Your pillow
The young stranger uttered a stifed farewell, and
striking into another path, disappeared
On her return the subdued Isabel pressed to the
bosom of her father If anything at that moment could
have given her pleasure, it his arrival, she
anxious TO leave spot that now utterly devoid of in
terest The light adieus of ceremony easily
cuded, and early the following morning she equipped
for departure
As her father handed her into the carriage stopped
To speak TO acquaintance while young man, who
passing at the moment suddenly paused and, claspng
his hands, exclaimed
Mr.. Wilton my benefactor?' ~
IL do not understand you, SIR said the astonished
Wilton know of no one who give me so fatter-
ing title
9 All! said the young man, whose cguntenance and
voice but too familiar the trembling Isabel am
then so changed2 am Wilder Lee, the soldier son.
whom seven years ago you rescued from poverty
Mr. Wilton pressed his hand with emotion.
You mean would have rescued, butfor his ntoerabe
pride"
'.Ah sir evasion is unnecessary We could not mis-
take the hand that relieved Have you then inter
est in hearingwD you not suffer to tell you what has
been the effect of your bounty -
g shall gladly listen anything in which you
cerned, said Mr.. Wilton.
1.-TWO days sfter you left us my father removed to
more comfortable dwelling and was entered at school,
could yet attend to the personal of my father
and melted to exertion by every claim of gratitude and
duty, could but progress with my studies soon
ready penman and accountant; and, year afterwards
received into wealthy mercantile house clerk
Ny wages enabled TO make immediate provision for
my father and they yearly augmented; and now,
he added in subdued since he is called to receive
far higher wealth than that Of EARTH my first exeron viii
be to discharge the pecuniay part of my obligation which
has SO greatly influenced my present destiny
The obligation you speak of does not exist said Mr.
Wilton. "An ample equivalent at received, in
the pleasure of assisting those who worthy Do not
then, wound my feelings by unjust an allusion But
tell me, is your venerable father ?''
Wilder briefly sketched the late events And Mr. Will
ton now shook him warmly by the hand
g Farewell, dear Wilder; my carriage has been some
time waiting. Believe that rejoice in your prosper
ity, and remember that you may always command my
friendship
Wilder looked wistully after him he departed, but
the form of Isabel visible She had Shrunk back
in the carriage his approach had thus escaped
servation. From her father who himself too much
excited to notice the agitation of his child she heard
description of his first knowledge of Wilder Lee She
made comments, but every word treasured up in
her heart and though years passed away without single
event to recall bis memory every vision Of her fancy
every idea of romantic excellence in the imagination of
Isabel was identified with his image This :mpershabe
attachment, however, partook of the high tone of her
mind. 1t deep and sacred principle hidden in the
recesses of her heart and leaving trace the surface
of her character
Isabel was far too lovely to remain unsought and Mr..
Wilton astonished her decided rejection of repeated
and splendid offers He expostuated he entreated he
taxed her with pervereness She deprecated his
with selaphc genteness She anticipated his every wish
but her hrmness remained unshaken His attention was
at length called TO objects of yet deeper anxiety His
of pleasure his reckessness of gain had gradually