The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-02-23


Mn Hillyard aud Ina returned alone in
the carriage that evening Roland remain.
"a. aud would probably ouistay the last Of
the guests, Mira HillyArd observed.
They will lie married at Christmas, ]
suppose, she went on And then shewili
take my place in your home here, and !
shall expect 10 see you, Ina ifyou don't
marry some merchant prince and 20 oil 10
Europe before then.
Ina made no answer. Nor did she
speak after they reached home, but buried
herself in the pages Of new English mag
azine while Mrs Hillyard trotted of mp
and down stairs, on her usual inspection
Of bolts aud bars for the night.
As she left the room Ina dropped the
book, and leaned her head upon her
elenehed hands. She did not hear the hall
door open softly and close, or see that
some one entered the back drawing room
from the hall. Her whole soul was 10
passionate revolt against the pain, which
when one is so young, and so unused TO
misery seems so utterly impossible to
bear.
oh, father! father why did you die aud
leave me in his carer she sobbed, aloud
when at last the relief Of tears cane. Oh,
if had died with you or with my mother!
If had never seen him.
Ina-my little darling Ina you will be
i'll il you go on like this said voice be
side her-a voice all too deeply danger.
ously lear. Indeed thought you looked
very i'll at the party, and l came away
directly after you, to see what vas wrong
The carressing tone, the caressing touch
upon her shoulder, seemed to drive her
wild with anger, grief and shame.
Oh, how could you-how can you' she
cried, dashing his hand away, snd spring
ing to her feet. How little my poor father
and mother could have known you! Never
to tell me that--it was cowarlly! And
now that ! know it, to come to me like
this! Oh, do you think it is right?
II would not bet might not be-but
it is right said Mr.. Glenn, incoherently.
was cowardly, dearl From the time you
came home from school, ! knew that l
loved you. But was bound and dared
not speak. She Miss Stearns) soon saw
difference in me- She saw you, and grew
Jealous; and for three months past our
meetings have been only auarrels and biek-
erings, on your account, Ina Tonight
she was angrier than ever could not
blame her. You were so lovely, dear, in
your simple bsll-dressl She told me that
I WAS free, and that she would at once
marry wealthy stock broker, who
had offered himself to her dozen
times over. Ina, l took my freedom,
thanking God silently for my deliverance
from loyeless and unhappy narriagel !
come to you to ask you to be my WIFE
My whole heart is yours, dahing. What
is your answer?
Ina could not speak. She looked at him.
her large eyes shining bright and soft
through tears.
Your father and were lite brothers,
Ina. Mr.. Glenn continued, taking the unre'
sisting hand He was some tan years my
senior but we were abroad some ten years
together. and was the onl1 one of his
friends who knew all about lis marriage
to your pretty English motler | was
with him when she died. Yot were then
only year old, Ina. My sister, Mrs
Hillyard, was then in England, and by my
suggestion brought you back to America,
and at the little farm you remained till
sent you to school Your mother trusted
you to my care, although was only boy
in years, and your father gave You to me
Ina, in his dying hour. Ifyou can love
her Roland, when she is a woman, let hc'
be your wife, shall die happy thinking
it may be so, were almoIt his last words
Shall it be so, darling?
Mrs. Hillyard coming back for Ina
moment later, started back with little
shrek at the tableau she saw on opening
the door.
But Roland, holding The blushing
smiling, halfweeping Ina firmly beside
him. drew his sister nearer, whispered the
story of the evening in her ear, and sen
her quietly rejoicing (for she had nevel
really liked Miss Stearns, to kiss and bless
the little bride.