Newspaper Page Text
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[For The Sonny South.]
Fori Gaines anil tin* ( hattahoochee River.
(From th* Cupola of the. Acadfmy.)
BY FLORALINE.
Front this dizzy height a picture
Spreads before ray eager vision.
Far below, roll by th** waters
Of the Chattahoochee River,
Sweeping onward to the ocean.
Bearing on its bosom secrets
Full of old and mystic meaning.—
Secrets of past lives and ages,—
Secrets that it weirdly mutters
To the craggy oaks o'erhanging.
On it sweeps, until its current
Breaks against the pier of granite
and strong ami brave, withstanding
The white dashing of the waters,
Standing firm. aud still upholding
The arched jMss-w’ay of the people,
Where the tide of life goes streaming.
Restless, hurrying like the waters.
I struggled on; the distance between us increased: embrace. Gently yet closely he drew her to his “I know that you have suffered and that I wish
a white hand threw an obstacle in my path; bosom; their lips met in the first kiss of real love to comfort you.”
again I fell, and I was dying. You reached my which either of them had ever given or re- “ My angel of peace!” said Paul, folding his
side, pillowed my head upon your bosom, and ceived, and for weal or woe they were pledged arms oh ! so gently about her. “ Lora. I called
again I was saved !” to each other. you by a name just now that has never passed
He lifted the packet he had that evening re- Again the eventful twenty-eighth had passed, my lips before. I have called only you so, and
ceived and placed it in her hand. She glanced but this time with a brightening touch, not a you are my darling /”
over the deed and then read the cruel letter of deepening of the shadows.
Beatrice.
“And you !” she exclaimed in horror-stricken
accents, as she comprehended the subtle fiend
ishness of the writer; “you were ”
“ About to die for my mother’s sake,” an
swered Paul gravely.
She cast the letter from her and threw herself
into his arms.
“If yon were willing to die for her, are you
•And that shall be mv name hereafter,” she
At last the driver left his seat, and opening
the carriage door, said;
“It ain’t no manner of use, ma’am. We can’t
get by the carriages; and if you be in a hurry,
why yon will have to walk.”
Beatrice scarcely waited for him to finish
speaking; she got out immediately, and soon
reached the house, which was one blaze of light,
CHAPTER XI.
At an early hour of the morning after the be
trothal of Paul and Lora, Mr. Drurie came from
his hotel to spend an hour or two with his old
friends. Lora ran to meet him, her pretty face
aglow with happiness.
Why, my child, you are prettier than ever !”
not willing to live for me?” she exclaimed in he said,*fondly patting her cheek. “What has
Vivid coutrast to these oldeu
Times, the river well remembers
Wheu the Bed Man skimmed these waters
In his birchen bark, or printed
With light moccasin the green sward. .
f ollowing up the trail of wild beasts
Through the lonely glen aud passes.
On those heights, where roofs and steeples
In the setting sun are glowing.
Once the council-tires of warriors
Blazed upon the murky midnight.
And these mighty bluffs resounded
With the war-songs aud the shoutings.
Mark the contrast. See how sweetly
In the sunset sleeps you village,
With its homes of love aud comfort,
Whence the peaceful smoke is curling.
With the steepled belfry telling
Of religious hope and promise.
tones of deep emotion.
Paul pressed her to his throbbing heart; he
coul.t not speak. Presently she timidly re
leased nerself from his encircling arms, and
Paul, though unwilling to release, felt that he
ought not to seek to detain her.
“ You must not despond any more,” she said
tenderly. And consider how cruel you would
have been to dejirive your mother of her only
child for the sake of worldly comforts ! Oh, Paul!
Paul 1 I wonder at you ! Take courage, my
dear friend; the darkest hour is past lo! the
day hreaketh !”
“Y’ou are indeed able to inspire a dead heart
with life and courage,” said Paul, pressing her
hand to his lips, “and you shall advise me.
Speak what shall I do ?”
said, lifting her head from his bosom. “Ah ! a perfect garden of hot house flowers, a scene of
Paul.” she smiled mischievously, “do you fairy-like enchantment. Rushing past the as-
know my father's first name?” tonished hall-porter, she reached the drawing-
“Yes: he mentioned it just now; it is Regi- room door. Her hat had fallen from her head,
nald.” and her beautiful hair curled and clung con-
“ And the inventor—what is his name ? " fusedly about her pale face. The crowd, the
“Reginald Drurie ! Great heaven ! Lora, you warmth, the dazzling light, confused her for a
do not mean ” moment; but the clear, distinct tones of the min-
“ Ah! but I do TUt-an just that—he is my : ister quickly recalled her to the reality of the
father! Not a word, Paul, " and she closed his moment. He was saying:
• I have
happened ?’
“Oh! papa, papa!” she exclaimed:
found him !”
“Found him !’’repeated Mr. Drurie, laugh
ing. “Why, I shall be jealous of any him who
can bring such a light to your eyes ! Well, now
that you have ‘ found him,’ what is he like?”
“Ah ! you are trying to tease me, papa. But
it is really so—I have seen our friend. Dr. Le
Roy.”
“ What! Here? How did he find you ? Where
is he ?” said Mr. Drurie, sharing her excitement.
“You shall see him directly: he is staying
here, and we met bv accident !’ exclaimed Lora.
lips with the first kiss she had offered him. “I
would not have told you of this until afterwards,
but I feared you might have been distressed by
my father's plans, for I know you think him
poor, or you did think so.”
“But, Lora, my pride ”
“Ah ! Paul, by pride ‘angels have fallen’-
“ Do you. Lora, take this man to be your wed
ded husband ”
“ Hold ! hold !” shrieked Beatrice.
A murmur of surprise and consternation
thrilled through the room. Lora clung with
both hands to Paul’s arm, and gave him —oh !
such a look of adoring love and faith ! And he.
“And lost their heaven, interrupted Paul; though his face whitened at Beatrice Warner’s
“ but it shall not deprive me of mine !”
“Paul, would you be ashamed to wed me be
fore the whole world ?” asked Lora earnestly.
“My darling,” answered Paul, “it will be the
proudest moment of my life when I stand be-
voiee, he passed his arm around his bride, and
smiled reassuringly upon her.
“ Madame,” said the minister gravely, as Be
atrice stood gasping for breath, and leaning upon
an arm that had been extended to her, “this
side y.ou at the altar. I fully appreciate not interruption is out of place. You have no author-
only the happiness, but the honor you ” jty ”
Ah! be silent. Paul. I only rejoice in the “I have!” exclaimed Beatrice. “MissDrnrie,
half laughing, half crying. “And, papa, our
Paul is really the same Dr. Le Roy we met that ■ , — . „ , , - .
- „„ , t t night- hut oh ! so changed ! And papa,” she put gifts that Heaven has showered upon me j am Paul Le Roy’s wife !”
“'V by have you not left this city and clung to her lil)S close t0 p is ear „ [lis llai ' j; as more l sil . that I may offer them to you. You tell me that Lora turned, facing her, and answered:
i’our profession elsewhere?” asked Lora, gently ver ; n ; t t i, an wnrs i ms \>> ‘ ' for a time a cloud has been cast over the bright “I know that vou have been, madame.”
“ Ha ! vou must have been very near him to honor of your name. Well, my father wishes to
see that,” said Mr. Drurie; and just then Paul give us this grand wedding that all the world
appeared in the open doorway, looking more
like himself than he had done since his wed
ding-night.
“My father, Dr. Le Roy,” said Lora timidly.
“An introduction is scarcely needed,” said
Mr. Drurie, warmly grasping Paul’s hand. “ I
clasping her other hand over his.
For an instant Paul’s face flushed, then he an
swered frankly:
“At no time, Loretta, have I had money
enough to remove my mother.”
Like a true woman, his sadness and sorrow
emboldened her. She laid her hand caressingly
upon his shoulder, and though tears glittered
may know that he, Reginald Drurie, has confi
dence in vqu and is proud of you. My darling,
in her eyes, a happy smile curved her lips; and remember vou well.’
Bat there comes into the picture
A memento not so peaceful;
Aud the old fort's hoary ruius
Boom up in the gathering twilight,—
Tell of war aud blood uud horror,
And a tragedy more painful.—
Briug to miud that piteous story
Of the days of Indian warfare.
When a treacherous foe was looked for.
And onr soldier's trod with caution,
And a bright-haired boy in mischief,
Bril-starred, misled the sentry,
Aud at once was stretched, all bleeding.
By the stern hand of discipline.
give Paul credit for entire self-sacrifice in
that he did not bend to touch them; hut he
smiled in return.
“And now I want to see your mother. .May I
not?”
“Indeed you may,” replied Paul; “I will let
her know that yon are here.”
He sprang up-stairs two steps at a time, in
“I have not forgotten your face,” said Paul,
returning his clasp with interest, “and our
Lora has made me know you in her letters.”
“ Our Lora !” repeated Mr. Drurie, glancing
at his daughter.
“It is my fault, papa,” said Lora, hiding her
face on her father’s bosom.
“Y’ou know that!” cried Beatrice in surprise,
“but you do not know that his name has been a
by-word in the streets——”
. _ . “I know all.'” interrupted Lora, her magnifi-
I would I were a queen that I might cast my cent eyes flashing with supernatural brightness,
crown at your feet !” “I know how vou have sullied his name; but,
Paul bowed his head upon hers, and they sat by the help of Heaven. I will so honor it that
in silent communion for a long, long time. Oh ! men shall be proud to call themselves the friend
how happy they were!” ; D f Le Rov.”
When Mr. Drurie returned with his agree- “Will vou proceed?” said Paul, addressing
ment, Lora ran up-stairs to Paul’s mother, where the minister.
Miss Bessie and Miss Tillie were impatiently it was not perhaps the right thing to do, but a
awaiting her. We are prepared to vouch tor the murmur of approbation, that became almost a
fact that more words were spoken in that room triumphant erv, fell from every pair of maseu-
within half an. hour than Mr. Drurie could line lips in the* room. Beatrice felt herself borne
speak in twenty-four hours; and at the end of awa y bv the arm that had supported her, and
way that frightened Miss Tillie almost into hys- p er Adam at her
“A true daughter of Eve—trying to shield the consultation, a carriage was ordered and then she knew no more.
. „ " To T? Atr VI' on f Alii n'ltli T.avo nn.1 'Fillin T ivr« . i i i i i •
terics and caused Lora to laugh merrily.
Mrs. Le Roy had read some of Loretta’s letters,
and though startled to learn that that the ex
pected visitor of Miss Tillie’s was Loretta’s self,
yet begged Paul to bring her at once.
As Paul led his friend into his mother’s pres
own expense,” said Mr. Drurie, Mrs Le Ko >’ went out with Lora and Tillie - 1 With the holy blessings of father and mother,
am ajmost tempted to ^accompany them on this an q a true, pure love to brighten their pathway,
‘ * * who dare say Lora did wrong in marrying Paul
Le Roy ?
(TO BE CONTINUED.) -
smilin_
“And you are not angry?” she whispered,
knowing very well, the little hypocrite, that he
was not.
“Was I ever angry with you, my child?”
isked her father, tenderly caressing her. “ No,
Breaking on the lovely quiet.
With itb .shriek aud roar ami rattle,
/Joraas the in-bound train wild rushing.
With human life full-freighted.
All at once a stir responsive
Wakes up in the streets below me.
Though the shadows grow more gloomy,
J ran catch sweet childhood’s laughter.
Happy childhood! wheu our heart-dowers
Are all sweet and fresh, uuwithered
By the searing touch of sorrow.
Ah! ray own sweet, vanished childhood,
When 1 wandered by the river—
J^aved my bare feet in its waters—
Lay reclined upon its moss-banks.
Watching the slow-creeping twilight
As I watch it now, with feelings
All unlike that careless joyance.
ence, the letter of Beatrice lay forgotten upon , j am not angrv nor surprised. -From the mo
the parlor floor. . . r > — ‘ • t
shopping expedition, for the benefit of our lady
readers, but the fear of dark frowns on masculine
brows restrains me. I will say though, despite
the frowns, that Lora purchased white silk, and
YIrs. Le Roy the daintiest materials for a wreath
of orange blossoms. Her daughter's bridal
crown should be an offering of love made by her
own hands.
into the honest brown eyes lifted so pleadingly n j ldlt j looked' for This termination of* vour Lora chose to remain with her humble friends,
to her own, then opening her arms, received the friendship. I am perfeetlv satisfied ” * and Paul took a room at the Ashland House.
, . , ' , ,, , ,, Ah! how quickly was he surrounded by those
Again he clasped Paul s hand, but Paul could who hail been the trmuds of his prosperity for
not speak the deep gratitude he felt. ... . 1 - - f -
“And,” Mr. Drurie continued, *“ I know all
the main points of your misfortunes, Paul, and
le parioi nooi. , . ' ment I became convinced that your correspon
For a moment Mrs.Le Roy’gazed searching y Jent was the salue Paul Le Rov we met that
[For The Sunny South.]
LOVE’S LAST PRAYER.
BV NETTIE NEALE.
lovely girl not only in them, but in her heart
forevermore.
“And now,” said Lora, when they had fallen
into easy conversation, •“ I want to show you
something.”
She drew a handsome gold locket from her in a private conversation we will have directly,
bosom, and opening it, placed it in Mrs. Le you wd 1 give me aU Uie points. I think, from
Iiov’s hand. It contained a somewhat faded
But I’m liugeriug here too idly,
’Trauced by memory-bells low chiming;
For the shadows deepen, darken,
And I wave my tender farewell
To the grand and louely river—
To the village calm aud peaceful
. Though a warrior wa* its* namesake),
And the old fort’s haunted ruins.
[Written for The Sunny South.]
THE RING ACCURSED
BV HI TH FAIRFAX.
PART FIFTH.
CHAPTER X.
Lora looked up into his face, and changed
though he was by intense suffering, slie recog
nized immediately the handsome young stranger
who hail folded his shawl around her father’s
shivering shoulders. Y’es, she was right: -the
writer of the letters she had received was their
kind protector that night three years ago. She
had known it all the time; but who shall say
what mystical power made him instantly aware
that Loretto stood before him ? In a moment
the dark present vanished from the memory of
Paul; he forgot everything but that the ideal of
his life stood in lovely, blushing reality at his
side.
“Loretto?” he breathed softly.
She closed her eyes, placed her hands in his,
and suffered him to pillow her head upon his
bosom.
And so they met.
They had often anticipated this meeting, but
never in their wildest dreams bad it been any
thing like this.
Miss Tillie silently withdrew, but as they*
bad not noticed her presence, so now they did
not notice her absence.
•• I have not heard from yon fora long time,
Loretto,” said Paul, leading her to the sofa and
sitting beside her. “Have you not written to
me?”
“Oh! yes; I wrote to yon the day before we
left New Y'ork. and papa added a little note,
asking you to call on him.”
“Y’ou are too good,” be said, taking her hand,
•• and you know not how much good yon have
done. To-night, when the sound of your voice
first fell upon my ear—’’ he paused a moment,
and then continued, “I heard the whole strange
story of the vision which you read to Miss Tillie.
Your first words attracted my attention, and
soon I became so much absorbed that I forgot to
make my presence known. How very strange
that you should have seen the likeness of this
ring in your dream ! May I not tell you a little
it< liighirv
photograph.
“ It is Paul!” exclaimed Mrs. Le Roy.
“Y'es. it is Paul,” smiled Lora.
“And you are Lora ! It was you who returned
my satchel with YIrs. Kendrick’s bracelet!” said
Paul.
“And it was yon who placed your shawl
around my father that bitter, cold night just
three years ago! I can never forget it. I saw
the gentle kindness of your heart beaming from
your eyes ”
“Oh! spare me!” cried Paul, laughing and
holding up his hands.
“No. no! Go on,” said Mrs. Le Roy, to
whose ears the praises of her son were sweet as
sounds of heavenly music. “ Y r ou saw——”
“I saw him,” continued Lora, turning her
■ beautiful eyes from Paul to his mother, “just
• as he is, — generous, noble, unselfish! Oh! YIrs.
Le Roy, when he gave my father his arm and so
delicately offered to lend him his shawl, even
folded it around his thinly-clad shoulders with
his own hands—oh! I would willingly have died
for him !”
‘“I have heard nothing of this before.” said
YIrs. Le Roy, looking wonderingly at her son.
“I suppose not,” said Lora. “And, madame,
my father was poorly, nay, shabbily dressed; so
was I. Y’et Paul gave me his arm with as gentle
courtesy as if I had been a queen ! From that
moment the ambition of my life has been to
serve him, and thank Heaven, the power to do
so has been placed in my hands!”
“My dear child,” said YIrs. Le Rov, drawing
the enthusiastic girl to her bosom, “you do
not know how much you have served him—you
cannot imagine how much comfort your letters
have been to him. I could tell whenever he re
ceived one just by glancing at him as he came
in. And now that I have seen you. I love you
quite as well as he does.”
A sudden start from Lora and an exclamation
from Paul interrupted her. She glanced from
one to the other. Lora’s face was suffused with
a soft, rosy color: Paul was white as death.
“ Ah ! is it so?” continued YIrs. Le Roy; “you
both think I do not? Yly son, you love her;
may Heaven bless your choice—nay, I am sure
it has already blessed you, for she is all that
heart of man could desire.”
“Oh! mother,” said Paul, in low,.gad tones,
“of what are you thinking? Your words torture
me. YVe are friends —dear, dear friends: noth
ing more! Lora knows that I love her, but we
can never be auv nearer !”
what I have heard, that you have let your heart
run away with your head, and I am sure noth
ing has happened that may not be remedied—
with the help of Lora,” he added, mischiev
ously. .
“I will go to Paul’s mother,” said Lora, gen
tly, “and ne will tell you all, papw: even about
the ring, Paul;” and she left them to their pri
vate conference.
For hours they talked, and Paul related the
whole history of his life, up to the moment of
his unexpected meeting with Lora. Ylany times
his voice faltered, many times his cheek* paled
and flushed, but the mournful stqj^eijis told at
last.
“Poor boy!” said Ylr. Drurie, brushing his
handkerchief across his eyes; “I do not wonder
that you were anxious to cast aside the heavy
burden of life. But that is all past now. I
think I know something that will just suit you.
You have heard of Ylr. Drurie, the inventor ?”
“ Who has not heard of him ?” answered Paul.
“ He is a relative of yours ?”
“A relative? On!—ah! yes; quite near,”
said Ylr. Drurie, smiling: “and I have consid
erable influence over him. He is going to Eu
rope, and wishes to engage a young man to go
with him who will write his letters, attend to his
“Annie Boleyn, on the eve of her execution,
wrote to the king praying that her sentence of
death might be revoked; and taking the love-
letter which the king had written to her before
marriage, she severed from her head one long
, r . . , , . . tress of her beautiful hair and bound it around
Mr. Drurie ook charge of everything; secured the package> telling him . to look upon that hair
a house and had it furnished as if bv magic, and relne mber how often it had lain upon his
bought a carnage, ordered the wedding supper Leart and eould he now conde mn to the execu-
was here there and everywhere, in a perfect tioner ‘ s as the h - ead whiuh had ^ often nest led
lever ot delight. All that Paul had to do was to
they had all received the costly wedding cards,
and the immense fame and wealth of Ylr. Dru
rie was no secret to any of them.
upon his bosom ?’ He returned no answer, but
at early dawn two guards were sent to bear her
to execution.”
Softly the golden rays of the setting sun stole
in through the barred windows, and quivered in
mocking beauty about the prison cell of the fair
and the beautiful. She who had once been En
gland’s queen now alone sat in her prison cell.
In her hand she held a package of letters, and
mournfully gazed upon them. Her long, rip
pling hair hung in disheveled beauty, like a
drapery of gold about her shoulders, shading
her fair, sweet face—fair even in its anguish;
Early upon the morning of the first of January, and while she carelessly toyed with those tresses,
Beatrice rose from her sleepless pillow and re- once decked with pearls and gems for festal
ceived the latest Puiladelphia papers from her scene, thoughts unbidden came. “Memory
maid. With feverish anxietv she glanced over steered her lonely barque o er the sea of the
the columns of the Daily Ledger, and there in P as t, and again she was in her palace home
large letters the name she had been looking for those tresses richly decked with flashing gems.
select his attendants and present himself punc
tually at eight o’clock New Y’ear’s night before
Ylr. Drurie. Select bis attendants ! He might
have bad an hundred if he had wished, but he
turned from them all, and with Lora’s free con
sent, conferred the honor upon his humble,
faithful friend, John Roberts ! How many men
would have dared do this ? How many high
born ladies would have consented ? True heart!
Brave uentleunui! .
CHAPTER XII.
met her eye.
“What can he have to do with this?” she ex
claimed,- for the piece was headed:
“A Distinguished Guest.—YVe are happy to
be able to sav that last evening we had an inter-
She moved through festive halls, “young, lov
ing and beloved.” He was by her side, and she
his queen—his idol; and anon she was in her
palace chamber. He played with her sunny
tresses; they fell upon his shoulder and swept
with him who will write his letters, attend to his oe aoie io say mai last evening we nan an inter- inst his cheek; his warm kisses lingered
business, and in fact, take the place of a son, for vle " " ltb ^i’- Reginald Drurie, the celebrated am j d them. Could he forget? She roused from
he has none,
shall be
and he offer
per year,
would suit
“ Will I ?” exclaimed Paul
gladly go. Oh ! mv dear sir, 1 cannot expr~
my gratitude! I will be glad to go. I can leave who lias succeeded in bearing away the prize
my mother with Yliss Tillie. And Lora—you 1 “ n “ T ‘” T " r> *
payable quarterly in advance. You to say that his daughter, who would do honor to fully on its heavy hinges as the jailer entered.
Him. Will you take his offer a throne were she seated upon it, will be led to J J
• • - -> an j “Y'es - I will tbe altar upon New Year’s night, by our dis- - -
sir. I cannot express tinguished fellow-citizen, Dr. Paul C. Le Roy,
will give her to me when I return ?”
Ylr. Drurie mused a few moments and then
said:
“Do you trust me, Paul?”
“I do indeed,” Paul answered.
“Have you implicit confidence in me?”
from all competitors. Dr. Le Roy has been
away from the city for some time, but will in
future continue to practice bis profession in
Philadelphia. YY r e understand that Ylr. Drurie
has purchased a magnificent mansion on Chest
nut street, above Tenth, and fitted it up superbly,
as a wedding gift to his daughter. The ceremony
‘Jailer, graut my parting prayer—
The last, perhaps, I’ll make to thee;
As thou wouldst have thy last prayer heard,
In mercy grant this to me.
‘ Bear this package to my king—
These words once traced by his own hand,—
Vows of ardent, tender love,
Bound with this golden band.
Yes, sir,” responded Paul, wondering what wil1 be performed at half-past eight o’clock, and
he meant. ° an elegant wedding supper served in the new
“Then you are willing to follow mv advice residence. Ylr. Drurie arrived in our city only
without question ?” * three days ago, to attend the wedding, and has
"In every particular,” replied Paul promptly performed a month’s work in that time. Some
“Very good. I will bring you within two tbree hundred of our ‘upper ten’ have been
‘ Perhaps they’ll touch some tender chord,
Wakening tones of deep regret
For her whose love for him hath caused
Her young life’s sun so soon to set!
* Can man’s love so tickle be V
Can his heart so soon forget ?
Can his love so wax and wane ?—
His truth so rise and set ?”
agree? " ! his lovely bride.’
“Certainly.” ' Beatrice sprang from her seat, her features
“And when you are married, / want to name convulsed with rage,
the day and arrange the wedding to suit my “I expected his death, and this, this, is what I
Through the long, long, weary night,
In hope and fear she prayed and wept;
The pitying stars had paled and fled,
Yet she her lone, sad vigil kep't.
“And why ?” asked YIrs. Le Roy, as Lora’s own fancy. Do you agree to that ?” have found !” she screamed in her wrath. “Ah!
hand tightened its grasp upon hers. “I shall be so happy to receive Lora from you he will marry Lora Drurie, the daughter of that
“Do you ask me why?” exclaimed Paul, pac- that 1 will be quite willing for you to say when man who counts his money by millions ! He shall
ing the room in great excitement. “ Ylother, and how - so that you do not defer it too* long,” not! he shall not! I can prevent it! I know her
she has saved me lor months from despair, said Paul, smiling. haughty heart. She does not know that he has
This evening she saved my life, for as Heaven
Hark! ’tis footsteps,—now he comes!
Heavily swings the massive door!
Her auswer comes,—two muffled guard
Await her there! All hope is o’er!
Married Couples—Haw to Tell Them.
If you see a lady and gentleman disagree upon
“ Do you pledge your word to this ?” been already married. I will see her; I will trifling occasions, or correcting each other in
“‘Yes, sir, 1 do/’’ answered Paul, emphati- tell her, and dash the cup of happiness from her company, you may be assured they nave tied
call}'. lips ! Luis would not dare to face the world for the matrimonial noose.
“Then you shall be married on New Y’ear’s me: she would not dare to face it for him ! To
night," said Ylr. Drurie, rising; “and if you night? I must go at once !”
ask me why I do not ask her to be my wtte ! Do don’t have such a wedding as will prove to the YY’ith a mighty effort she calmed herself, and
you lorget. lie said bitterly, “ that I am almost world that Reginald Drurie is proud of_his son- prepared tor her journey. The express train
hears me, when her voice first reached my ear,
1 was just yielding to a great temptation. She
has preserved to you your son; she has saved
me from the sin of self-murder, and now vou
of its history
She eagerly assented, and he repeated to her
the facts concerning it which we have heard YIrs.
Le Roy. his mother, relate to him.
••I wished to convince her that there was no
truth in the tradition, and I have only proven
that there are mysteries in this world beyond
my comprehension. If I am not mistaken.” lie
continued, ■•your vision occurred" upon the
twenty-eighth of December, two years ago?"
She bowed her head and looked inquiringly
into his eyes.
•• That was my wedding-night, Loretto. and as
the clock struck twelve, I was sitting at my
mother's feet, and we were alone. Suddenly,
what you have described as the scorching breath
of a furnace seemed .to sweep over me. a terrible
fear fell upon me. I thought I was dying, when
a hand was held out to me, the soiind of rip
pling water met my ears, an ineffable joy filled my
heart, and I awoke, as it were, from a dream.
At that moment yon saw me gay and happy, sur
rounded by perfumes and flowers. Y*our vision
continued; you saw me walk bare-footed over
the scorching sands of the desert: 1 fell; you
flew to my assistance: I felt the power of your
presence and rose again. That presence, dear
l Loretto, I felt in vour letters. For a time
a be L
•• H e will work together, ” breathed Lora.
He glanced at her and continued:
“ Do you forget that my name has been dis
honored ”
“I will so honor it that it shall be raised as
high as it has been east low," said Lora.
in-law, then it will be because the old man
hasn’t money enough to do it!”
Paul stood amazed. New Year's night! A
grand wedding ! YY’as Ylr. Drurie dreaming ?
“No, I am not crazy. Paul; but I choose to
from New York she knew arrived in Philadel
phia at eleven p. m.. too late for her purpose.
.. a.: •» i.i i
If you see a silent pair in a car or stage lolling
carelessly, one at each window, without seeming
to know they have a companion, the sign is in
fallible.
If you see a lady drop her glove, and a gentle
man bv the side of her kindly telling her to pick
The “ accommodation ” would leave in half an R J*P> J’ ou need not hesitate in forming yonr
hour and arrive at half past seven. So she had opinion.
t * , _ to be in haste—a haste that cost her dear, for she If von meet a couple m the fields, the gentle-
have you begin the New Year night. Y’ou can neglected to furnish herself with the necessary man twenty yards in advance of the lady, who,
— 0 — . take Lora to Europe with you; I don't think the wrappings to guard against the hitter cold. For perhaps, is getting over a stile with difficulty, or
"That though I am free to marry again, she old man will object—she is rather a favorite of a time the intensely excited state of her mind picking her way through a muddy patch; or,
who was my wife still lives, with the power and his.” ' prevented her from feeling the cold, but she suf- If you see a lady whose beauty and accom-
will to inflict bitter annoyance upon one whom Ylr. Drurie laughed slyly and continued: fered from it in the end. Seated in the cars, plishments attract the attention of every gentle-
I loved " “lam quite able to give my child a "rand she felt the hours drag wearily along—the day man in the room but one, you can,have no diffi-
“ True love endureth all things!" exclaimed wedding, and I wish to do it. You must 3 pre- seemed as if it would never end; but at last, culty in determining their relationship to each
Lora, extending her hand to him. pare for New Year’s night.” when the hands in her watch pointed at live other,—the one is her husband.
A bright flush spread over Paul’s face as he “But, sir,” gasped Paul, “are you aware that minutes past eight, she stepped on the ferry-boat, If you see a gentleman particularly courteous,
caught her hand in his. I have nothing at all ?” alone in the cold and darkness, but sbe heeded obliging and good natured, relaxing into smiles,
YY’ould you," he said, “face the world to "High time yon had something then." said it not. Chafing and fretting at each moment’s saying sharp things, and toying with every
Ylr. Drurie, “ and I think you will have a treas- delay, she continually consulted her watch by pretty woman in the house excepting one, to
ure when you get Lora ! I* will send her to vou; the dim light in the dreary cabin, until the boat whom he appears particularly cold and formal,
I am going to see—Mr. Drurie.” reached its wharf, when she hastily and fearlessly and is unreasonably cross, who that one is, no-
Before Paul could say another word he was sprang into the first hack that presented itself, body can be at a loss to discover.
unite yourself to me ? Is your heart so entirely
my own that no one can ever win it away ?”
•• YY’ould I face the world with you ?” exclaimed
Lora. " Yes. and rejoice in every grain of beauty
or intellect that Heaven has given me that I gone, and in a few moments Lora entered the and thrusting a live dollar bill into the hands of If you see an old couple jarring, checking and
might be more worthy of you ! Can my heart
ever be won away from you? Paul, I have never
loved before; my heart is yours; to get rid of it,
you must break it—kill it!”
He held her hands in his and gazed into the
room. Paul sprang to meet her. the delighted driver, said: thwarting each other, differing in opinion before
“ Has vour father told you?” he asked ea"erlv. “To Ylr. Drurie’s, Chestnut, above Tenth, the opinion is expressed, eternally anticipating
“ Yes,” she whispered. * Quick! drive for your life ! ” and breaking the thread of each other s discourse,
“ And what do you think of it?” And drive fast he did; but as they turned from Y' et using kind words, like honey bubbles uoat-
‘I think." she answered, raising her glorious YY’alnut into Tenth, a numberof handsome equip- i n f? on vinegar, which are soon’overwhelmed by
wondrously beautiful eyes raised so adoringly eyes to his face, "I think. Paul, that you have pages blocked the way, and there was much con- a preponderance of the fluid, they are to all in
to his. The dark shadows of the past flitted suffered enough to meet now with some recom- fusion and many angry words before they were tents man and wife—you cannot be mistaken,
away into the dim distance; hope, celestial hope, pense. Let it be as my father desires.” suffered to proceed. Again at the corner of . These rules are laid down as infallible in just
spreail her rosy pinions over the future, and “Mv own darling, it is a prospect of heaven Chesnut they were stopped, and Beatrice beat interpretation: they may be resorted to with
me,” said Paul; •• but do vou know ” her bands together, crying aloud: confidence; they are upon unerring principles
love, the perfect love that “hopeth all things, to
endureth all things, enfolded them in its eternal “I know that you love me,” answered Lora:
■ I will be too late—too late !"
and deduced from every-day experience.