Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1891-12-18

J tlOn OF ner nlgn-prlnclpled conduct
Whatever may happen. she will alwa IS
possess my friendship and estes IN
When | propoc-l this "ompromis.. q
few hours ago. certainly had. and
still have, hopes differing from yours
but | made no mental reservation: and
now again say that IL, on completion
of your travels, you and Miss Graydou
are then inclined 20 marry goa shall
have not only my free consent. but my
blessing also; for you viii have fairly
earned both. And now ray son. when
do you think of setting ,,tt.-'
''ln three DAYS, fa'Hrr. il this will
suit You. IL is hc~' e get over thc part
ing while our miau.. gre nerved 70 it. |
will, with your consent, escort Miss
Graydon to hcr fathers house to-mor-
row and aeqUaint him with our plans.
for quite gree with Won that my 1g-
famed wilc'-thi, with quiet smile
fought 10 remain NO longer in her pres
cnt position"
The old colonel seemed rather taken
ahacS at tbs prccipitaucv. for, in truth.
/ Franl; 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 unavailiug tears Of his sisters. the
troubled gravity of his, almost. repent
ant father and the outspol,en discomfort
of the people on the estate. by whom
the gallant young fellow was greatly
Beloved. All the home adicus had been
spoken and the heir OF Linwood, at last
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 10 come. The carriage,
on its way.drcw up before Mr. Graydon's
cottage and Frank. almost unnamed
by the violence of HE emotions. went in
10 take, perhaps, lest farewell OF that
one for whose dear sake he was becom-
ing an exile. Agnes received him at
the door. and her wan, trcmulous smile
told its own story. She tried 10 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 pitifui cry. into his out
stretched arms, she sobbod out in un-
controllablc anguish:
"Oh. Frank. my own. dear Frank:
how can let Won ro"-and vet | must
must. because of the love bear you.
BY no less q sacrifice can | secure your
lasting happiness. and Go my own duty.
If only ! alone might suffer would not
coDIplain-fCr most gladly would | die
TO save you from sorrow but to know
that, for poor mc. You must wander for
years, far from your home and country,
seems more than can bear
IL was now FRANK s. turn To strengthen
and console; and leading the distressed
girl TO a 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 II composure
MY sweet Agnes, said Frank. 1.-THE
hardest part OF our great trial is. that, /
in the true spirit Of the compact with
my father, we are forbidden tn write
each other, or even send messages: but F.
ne mas, TINS morning, 81 FAR modified
this arrangement rs 10 consent that
the contents OF my mothers weekly /.
letters TO me shall be left entirely To .
her own discretion. and as my own let .
tiers to her iDav be- read by you, we .
shall thus, virtually, be in constant cor /
respondencc.
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. RELY
greatly upon Sir George Mansfield's de-
termination 10 win the countess of Mill.
brook ana Lady Louisa over 10 his own
views. Goa grant ne may succeed, ano
quickly
And SO the lovers talked themselves
into almost cheerfulncss-as such lovers
ever will-until Frank could no longer
delay his departure. and he now drew
from its case a costly ring. the great
single diamond of which flashed i'm
brilliant, starlille rays on every move
ment.
This he gently placed on Agnes hand
saying as lie did so: "Mv betrothed
wife. 1t needs not such baubles to bind
our faith; but, let this little gem, when
ever you look upon its scintillating
light. be TO you the star Of hope; and
plain gold band from one of
her fingers TO ms own will wear this
simple circle as pledge and symbol of
our endless love. And now once more
sood-by-mv darling oh! my darling"
But what pen could describe a parting
such as this?
The very last possible moment of his
stay had come: and Agnes, with match
less heroism, restrained her tears, and
actually smiled-true hcart-so that
her lover might bear away no sad i'm
age in his mind; and not until the car
rage had disappeared did she give way
10 all the abandonment of her woman
hoods first grief. II was well for the
poor girl, in this crisis that the voice of
auty called her To a life Of active use
indeed, she was not
Ine to sit down and idly brood over un-
ivoidable ills.