Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-12-05

words can hardly express my admira- | tion of her high-principled conduct. l Whatever may happen, she will always possess my friendship and esteem. When I proposed this compromise, a few hours ago, I certainly had, and still have, hopes differing from yours, | but I made no mental reservations; and now again say that if, on completion of your travels, you and Miss Graydon are then inclined to marry you shall have not only my free consent, but my blessing also; for you will have fairly earned both. And now, my son, when do you think of setting out?"
 'In three days, father, if this will suit you. It is best to get over the part ing while our minds are nerved to it. will, with your consent, escort Miss Graydon to her fathers house to-mor- row and acquaint him with our plans, for l qrite agree with you that my Gf- .Jianced wife"-this with quiet smile fought to remain no longer in her pres ent position"
 The old colonel seemed rather taken aback at this precipitancy, for, in truth, Frank was the pride of his heart; but he finally agreed that the young man should arrange everything in his own way.
 We need not dwell upon the events of the next few days-Frank's hurried preparations, the grief of his mother, the unavailing tears of his sisters, the troubled gravity of his, almost, repent ant father and the outspoken discontent of the people on the estate, by whom the gallant young fellow was greatly Beloved. All the home adieus had been +1,a1 1,4S, .<DQT ok Toe tearing himself away from his mothers arms, stepped into the carriage which was to convey him to the nearest rail- way station. But the most trying ordeal was yet to come. The carriage, on it's way, drew up before MT. Graydon's cottage and Frank, almost unnamed by the violence of his emotions, went in to take, perhaps, last farewell of that one for whose dear sake he was becom- ing an exile. Agnes received him at the door, and her wan, tremulous smile told its own story. She tried to greet him in cheerful tones, but all her woman's heart gave way at the first | glance of her lovers eyes, and throwing herself, with pitiful cry, into his out l stretched arms, she sobbed out in un- controllable anguish:
 | Oh! Ay O"hp OSdE E1AhS how can let you go?-and yet I must must, because of the love I bear you By no less sacrifice can secure your lasting happiness, and do my own duty. If only alone might suffer I would not complain-for most gladly would I die to save you from sorrow-but to know that, for poor me, you must wander for years, far from your home and country, l seems more than I can baarO
 It was now Frank turn to strengthen and console; and leading the distressed girl to seat, he knelt at her feet and drawing her rounded arms about his neck whispered sweetest words of hope and comfort; and soon she became more calm and was able to speak of the future with some show of composure
 My sweet Agnes" said Frank, "the hardest part of our great trial is, that, in the true spirit of the compact with my father, we are forbidden to write each other, or even send messages; but he has, this morning, SO far modified this arrangement as to consent that the contents of my mothers weekly letters to me shall be left entirely to her own discretion, and as my own let ters to her may be read by you, we shall thus, virtually, be in constant cor respondence.
 And Agnes, do you know that have not the least fear of my exile extending to five years? My fathers heart is real ly most kind and generous and will every day plead more and more strongly for us. And, moreover, dearest, I rely greatly upon Sir George Mansfield's de- termination to win the countess of Mill brook and Lady Louisa over to his own views. God grant he may succeed, and quickly!''
 And so the lovers talked themselves into almost cheerfulness-as such lovers ever will-untn Frank could no longer delay his departure, and he now drew from its case costly ring, the great single diamond of which flashed ir brilliant, starlike rays on every move ment.
 This he gently placed on Agnes han q saying as he did so: My betrothec wife, it needs not such baubles to bind our faith; but, let this little gem, when ever you look upon it's scintillatine light, be to you the star of hope; and removing plain gold band from one o, her fingers to hls own-'I will wear thi. simple circle as & pledge and symbol O. our endless love. And now once more
 good d-by-my darling! ohl my darling But what pen could describe parting
 such as this?
 The very last possible moment of hi
 stay had come; and Agnes, with match
 less heroism, restrained her tears, anC actually smiled-true heart-so tha her lover might bear away no sad i'm
 age in his mind; and not until the car riage had disappeared did she give wa.
 to all the abandonment of her woman hoods first grief. It was well for tn poor girl in this crisis, that the voice O duty called her to life of active use fitness though, indeed, she was no / one to sit down and idly brood over un avoidable ills
 4 The circumstances of her father who was totally unftted for any kin of business-made 1t imperative that sh should augment his scanty income b
 her own earnings and hence she a