The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-01-08

Anu now VIC mu5b press OnWdfu III
the story of these young lives. Imnle-
diasely on parting with Agnes Franl;
again sought his fathers presence, and,
in few words informed him of his own
change of purpose, but candidly added:
ssYou must not think, sir, that any
credit whatever is due me in this mat
ter. 1t is all Miss Graydon's doings.
am still convinced that your decision is
cruel and unjust, but she, noble girl,
insists that / shall comply with your
will; and have no alternative. am
bound, however, in all fairness, to tell
you that five years, or five times five,
will not bring about the result you de-
sire; although you are a true and hon
orable man, my enforced absence will
yield this compensation, that / shall re-
tain your love, receive your full and
cordial consent to my marriage at the
end Of the term, and shall, besides,
have the satisfaction of knowing that
my mother is spared the suffering
which any break in our family relations
would surely cause her."
Col. Howard looked greatly pleased as
his son spoke, and. graspii.g his hand
with all his old-time warmth, ex-
claimed: my dear boy, you have made
me very happy. There is not cloud
between us; and as for Miss Graydon,
words can hardly express my admira-
: tion of her high-principled conduct.
Whatever may happen, she will always
possess my friendship and esteem.
When l proposed this compromise, a
few hours ago, certainly had, and
still have, hopes differing from yours,
but made no mental reservation; 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. 1t 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 quite agree with you that my af
fanced 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,
Fran was the pGide of his heart; bui
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,
troubled gravity of his, almost, repent.
ant father and the outspolxen discomfort
of the people on the estate, by whom
the gallant young fellow was greatly
beloved. All the home adieus 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 irving
ordeal was yet to come. The carriage,
on its way, drew up before Mr.. Graydon's S
cottage and Frank. almost unnamed
by the violence of his emotions, went in
to take, perhaps, a 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
stretched arms, she sobbed out in un-
controllable anguish:
"Oh! Frank, my own, dear Frank;
how can let you go?-and yet must
must, because of the love / bear You.
BY no less a sacrifice can secure your
lasting happiness. and do my own duty.
If only alone might suffer would not
complain-for most gladly would / die
to save you from sorrow-but to know
that, for poor me, you must wander for
years, far from your home and country,
seems more than / can bear"
1t was now Franks 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 oomposure,
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 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.
sand 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 to win the countess of Mill
brook and Lady Louisa oyer to his own
views. God grant he may succeed. and
qnickly!''
And so the lovers talked themselves
into almost eheeFfulRess-as such lovers
ever will-until Frank could no longer
delay his departure, and he now drew
from its case ? costly ring, the great.
single diamond of which flashed in
brilliant starlike rays on every move
ment.
This he gently placed on Agnes han d
saying as he did so: my betrothed