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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1886-6-18, Page 22 GW'ORN TO SILENCE; 0u, ALINE RODNEY'S SECRET. Iiy MRS. RI,IsY, IlluWluWU iriil'uI..F..IIb, w01xolt 01` 9 Immo! Vane," "Lady Gay's Vrido," oto., ere wreak its vengeance on me as 1v wu1, but I cannot help myself. I must bear it as best I can. My lips aro coaled. I am solemnly sworn to silence I" While they yet gazed upon her in speechless horror, sho gasped,etaggerod, threw out her hands for some support, and missing it, full heavily upon the floor. When they lifted her up sho ap- peared like ono stead. CHAPTER XXIV. They were startled and frightened. This was twice that her senses had yielded to unconsciousness that night. The strong, bright, pretty Aline who had loft them throe months ago had never fainted in her life. "What dreadful experience sho must have passed through since she loft us 1 How pale and thin she looks 1" Mrs. Rodney oriod, in anguish.. Effie wept silently. She had never ]mown how dear to her was her volatile younger sister until now. She knelt beside her, chafing the cold white hands between her own warm, rosy palms, while she silently prayed for Aline's re- covery. They wished now that Aline's hasty words had not driven Dr. Anthony away, for her swoon was a long end deep one. All their efforts failed torouse her. She remained cold, and white, witu scarcely any discernable pulse, and the most slow and muffled heart.beats. Her limbs seemed to grow more rigid and deathly every minute. They removed her to her own little chamber, and laid her on her little white bed. No one guessed that from the tower window of Delaney House a pair of eyes had been watching anxiously for hours to see the light flashing from the little encl window so long darkened by its owner's absence. When it appeared, shedding a glow of light upon the dying foliage of the gar- den, and Oran Delaney saw the moving figures behind the white curtain, ho ex- perienced a sensation of relief. The child was at home again, surrounded by those dear ones for whom shehad pined. She would soon forget the brief shadow he had thrown over her life for a little while. They had taken hex home and forgiven her, and all would go on as be- fore in his neighbor's house. Tho thought lifted a burden from his heart. He gave a sigh of relief, and threw him- self down upon his, conch to seek refuge from his haunting thoughts in uneasy slumbers. Meanwhile, Aline lay locked in that deep trance of unconsciousness. They tried every method of rousing her, but their efforts did not meet with the least success. She lay mute and pale before them, like one dead. Tho dark lashes lay all stirless upon the marble -white cheeks; her lips did not unclose to repeat those sorrowful words whose bitterness seem- ed to have broken her heart. She seem- ed' to have passed away without a regret from that world in which henceforth she had no part save sorrow ; and her father, as ho gazed upon the pale and rigid face, almost wished that ib were so. She was so sweet and beautiful, and he had had such great hopes for her. How could he bear to see her live with this great shadow of silence and nays. tery upon her life? How could he bear that the cold, carping eyes of her little world should rest upon her in suspicion and distrust? And for himself, he was very proud; how could he endure to be pointed at 'as the father of a girl whose wilful silence most probably concealed terrible disgrace? "I wish that she had never been born l" ho cried out, in the bitterness of his heart, and then when itis own heart. reproached him, ho made excuses to it. "She can have no happiness in life, no respect, no confiding love., no domestic bliss, no peace. There will always lie a shadow on her life. She had better be dead, or never have been born." Ho remembered those wild words of the Spanish student: "Yeti fain would die Too through life unloving and unloved' To feel that thirst and hunger of the soul We cannot still; that longing, that wild impulse, And struggle after something we have not, And cannot have ; the offott to teretron' And like the Spartan boy, to smile andsmile, Whilealoake: secret wounds do bleed beneath our All this the decd fool Hat!–t110 dead alone! Would !were with them!" "Tho girl is like mo. Sho is proud, although she is so loving. I believe she would sooner be dead than live the life that lies before ha," he said to himself. . And he was right. Tho cold, gray, rainy dawn peeped in at the windows and saw Aline -struggling slowly back to life and consciousness, She pet out her bands and pushed them away from her with their restoratives. She would have none of them. She flung out her hands in despair. "You should have let me diel" she oriod out, wildly. "How could any one wish for me to live ?" "Oh, my darling, do not talk so 1" cried her mother, forgetting evorythin save the passionate mother.love that filled her heart. "You Must live to be my comfort when Effie is takon,from me. You know she will be mareied soon to Dr. Anthony, and i should be so lonely, whon she wont were it nbb''for you, my love 1" "Oh, mamma, }how can I be any com- fort to you 2" stied poor Aline, in THE BRUSSELS POST despair. "You will bo ashamed 01 me —you will never—Hover forget all that my wilfulness has brought on mo- perhaps you will hate mo after awhile. If you diel, mamma, I could not blame you. I quite deserve it, I know!" "Hush, lay darling 1 How could a mother hate her child?" cried poor Mrs. Rodnoy, tearfully, and forgetting all her dignity in genuine mother -love, "I do not believe you aro guilty, Aline 1 How could my little white-soulecl girl bo a sinner? Livo for mc, Aline, and we will not care for the world. Wo will let it go by. Wo will not heed its smiles sor its frowns." But Aline sighed in heaviness of heart. Her trouble was too fresh, her wound was too doop for her to find con. fort anywhere. "011,nlamlua,yon are so good to mo," sho oriod. "I never knew how good be- fore. I do not wish to live. I am proud, though you might not have thought so iu the old, wilful days. I cannot live such a life as my father has painted for me. I shall die like :, dower that hoe no rain and no sunshine. And that will bo best. I do not pare to live 1" And this was the girl who had dream- ed of finding life all ralr and desirable at fourscore—echo had laughed' ab Oran Delaney's °rankings such a little, little while ago. She lay there among the snowy pillows, in the little room for which she had sighed so ofteb, and vainly thinking that she would be so glad and happy when sho returned to it once again, and she wished in her heart that she might die. She was quite a different girl ab dawn from the one on whom yesterday's sun had sot. Then her life lay before her, all bright and fair, like the landscape in the morning sun. Now it was like the sante scene at twilight, with the sad rain falling and dimming all in its sombre veil. am done with my life, if all is like they tell me," she said, soberly, to her- self. "What shall I do with all the years that lie before me yet till I die ?" Like a flash, her thoughts went back to Delaney House and the beautiful blue room that had held her a oaiptive those three months. Before her mind's eye came a dark, grave, handsome face ; in her ears rung a deep and musical voice, with a tone of melancholy. He was reading the poem she had not eared to hear, but which seemed at this moment to have burned itself in on nes memory: How many years will it bo, I wonder, And how will their slow length Dasa, Till I shall find rest in silence under The trees and the waving grass?" "Perhaps you may even subscribe to its sad sentiments some day," Oran De. laney had said to her, and how scorn- fully she had derided the idea. Was she the same girl? Scarcely. She had a vague fancy that she would wake up presently and find that sho had been dreaming some horrid dream. She furtively pinched herself, and found that she was not dreaming at all. She was broad awake, and the new day was shining in at her windows, chill and murky and sunless, like the life that lay before her. "And all for such a little not of folly," she said to herself, with a terrible sink- ing at the heart. Mr. Rodney soddenly came over to her. He took Aline's cold white hands and smoothed them gently between his strong warm one. Aline," be said, "do you think it quite right to hold yourself bound by the oath you spoke sof ? Do not the dreadful consequences it entails on you justify you in breaking it ?" She shook her head slowly. 4W "I do not dare," she replied. "It must be a very solemn oath that can bind you under such circum- stances," he said, slowly. "Is your decision quite unalterable, my dear-?" "Yes, papa," she replied, with a deep sigh. He was silent for a moment, and an echo of her• own sad sigh drifted over his lips. When he looked back at her again there was a pew light in his oyes. "Aline, I have been thinking of a new plan," he said. "A new plan ?" she echoed. "Yes; I cannot beat to see your life blighted, andall your chances of happi- ness destroyed. Wo will go away from here and make our home in some dis- tant spot, where this strange story can never follow you. You ' may yet be happy." Her young heart thrilled with sudden joy. She looked at him with grateful affection. "Papa, would you, indeed, do so much for ma" she i, aired. He bowed silently, and gently pressed her hand. Aline fyagot his harshness and anger of a littla while ago, and ro- megibered only the �ppatient, flualterable melove„that s reedy to make such a sacrifice for hor sake. "And you, mamma ?” she inquired, tatting her wistful eyes upon Mrs. Redney'k pale and altered face, "I am quite willing, dear," sho re- plied. "You aro too good and kind to me, papa and mamma ; I do not deserve it. I must not let you make such a sacrifice for my salve I" she cried. "Thege is too much at stake to call it a sacrifice," Mr. Rodney answered. "At least we need' not make it yet," Aline cried, musingly. "Oh, papa, I can hardly believe yet that my friends will be unkind to me, that thoy will be. lieve evil of me because I am fettered by a mysterious vow. Let us make the trial. Let us give them the chance to trust me if they will. Do not let us go away just yet. Let us stay and bo con. vincet'{. Perhaps tbo world is not so hard as you think. How could it it be so uhjnst and gruel?" CHAPTER *XV. Mr,dnoy gazed sadly ab his daugh- ter, He saw that sho could scarcely bring herself to beliovo that which ho had told her. "I soo how it is, Aline," llo said to her, gravely. "You aro inclined to doubt/11y aeeertious, You do not alto. gather believe what I have told you." She was spooked whoa he put the truth before her in so plain a fashion. She did not !snow herself how strong a vein of incredulity ran through her painful thoughts. "Oh, papa, forgive mor'' she said, penitently. "I slid not mean to doubt you. It was only my nnfortanato man- ner of expressing myself. I was hoping against hope. Will you forgive me for my implied doubt ? It is so hard to give up hope." Ho only pressed her hand iu silence, and sho continued; "Even if they thought hardly of mo, might they not in timo relent? Might I not live down the scandal oven if they were cruel enough to make a scandal out of nothing ?" "You might in time," ho answered, "but it would bo a long while first, so lona that your youth and beauty would bo faded, and they would forgive you because they could no longer envy you." "So long as that?" she asked, with a heavy sigh. Yes, doar, nothing but time will heal that wound," ho answered. Sho lay silently musing. She could not bear to give up the beautiful, bright world which she loved so well, and in which she had such un- bounded faith and hope. It was•a great temptation to her to accept the sacrifice her father proposed making. She had tbo irate selfish. Hees of youth, which thin.cs that the world was made for itself. Sho did not understand how ?root a sacrifice it was that her family would make. In her ignorance of the world she could not know. But while she dallied with the temp. tation to accept it, she found herself re- strained from leaving Chester by a vague, yet subtle, fooling she could not understand. It was stronger than her will, it was some influence outside of herself that she could not analyze, but it was most powerful. It drew her ono way, while hor reason and horwillseem- ed both to point in a contrary direction. She yielded to it blindly, -not knowing that it was fate, that "Divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them as we will," She looked gravely at her father, who had been watching her face, anxiously noting the changing emotions of its ex- pressive features. "Papa, my mind is made up," she said, with almost womanly oalmness. "I shall not go away. I will remain in 'Mester." "Remain l" ho echoed, surprised at her decision. "Yes, I will remain. I will not act a cowardly part, and run away frog!my amine. 1 will stay here aha 1 vo 1t down if my hair grows grey and my oyes dim in the effort." "You will have to be very bravo if you do, Aline," ho answered, not without a certain admiration of her high spirit. "I intend to be," sho answered, with a sigh. He could not help feeling relieved at her decision. Ho was not a rich man. All his income was derived from his legal practice. To begin life anew in another place meant a hard struggle, although he would not have shirked it in the interest of the child he loved so fondly. But now that her own decision made it unnecessary, a burden was lift- ed from his mind. He bunt down and pressed his lips to her fair, white brow. "God bless you, and help you, my daughter," he said. Her lips quivered, the. quick tsars rushed into her eyes. She let the lids drop over them hastily, and the bright drops rolled like crashed ,pearls down her cheeks, "Aline, you are exhausted�1 I have fully. \\ been too thoughtless," he sa'it, remorse - "Yes. I am tired," she answered, wearily. "I should like to go to sleep." They kissed hor, and wen away softly, Aline did not go to slaShe lay, broad awake, in the chilly,\\\rainy dawn of the new day, looking drearily into the future. "I liave lost my life," she said, mourn• fully, to herself. "For, if I live ib down,, I shall bo old by then, and nothing but the grave will lis before mo." She recalled some verses she had road in a book at Delaney House. "Rndderlgas, we drift athwart a tempest, , And when once the storm of yontli'is past, IWithout lyre; withoutluto, or chorus, Deatb,a silent pilot, comsat last." Death! She gave a shudder in spite of hsreolf. She had always had the keenest love of live, the greatest enjoy- ment of its pleasures. She was san- guine, ardent, impetuous. Even now, when she looleed at Death aerate a bridge of sorrow, .she felt a little afraid of it. She bewailed her blighted life, hor irrevocable folly. She would have to pay the cost of hor girlish wilfulness by the sacrifice of all that was best in life. Bitterly she bewailed her fault and Oran Delaney's hard heart, that had brought this doom upon her. "If I had known the cruel price I must pay for my ailebce, I would have died before I would have pledged myself to it. But lir. Delaney meet have known. He is older than I am—he knows the world. Ho'tv Drool, how wicked he must be to doom mo to such a fate 1" sho said to herself, indignantly. Moved by a sudden impulse, elle slip- ped from the },ed, throw a light shawl over her Idiot Mors, and wont ever to the window. She peered down through a ermine in the curtain at the tvondo ltl 1LTUEON AND BRUCE, JLLoan & Investment Co. This Company i s Loaning Money on Farm Security 5)4 imvuNT B.tTlitl of Interest. MORTGAQ] S PURCHASED. SAVINGS RANK IIRANCII. 9, 4 and 5 per .coot. Interest Al- lowed on Deposits, according to amount and time left. Oyrxor;--On corner of Market Square and North street, Godericli. Horace Horton, MANAGER. Goderich,Aug.11th,ISSG MONEY TO LOAN. dlticneyto arm on arm property at LOWEST RATES. PRIVATE AND COMPANY FUNDS W. B. DIcxso7, Solicitor, Brussels, Ont. Money to Loan. PRIT/ATE _FUNDS. $20,000 of Pit ,vatsFundshavejest been placed in myhands( or Investment AT 7 PER CENT. Borrow ersean hay etheir1 Dass F complete in three day c if title i s s atis factory, Apply to Eo E. WADE. :Curr: 18, lSBG, CUSTOM TAIL OBIN G. The undersigned begs leave to intiinato to the public that he has opened it tailor shop in the Garfiold liouso bloct, ever 1'owoll's store, where he is prepared to et• tend to the wants of the public in cutting, fitting and malting clothing in the west and most fashionable etylce. My long e:.. perionco together with a course of instruc- tion under one of the boat cutters inTorou- te is a guarantee of being able to do satie- faetory words. Satiafaclion gusrantend, R6.8m G. A, 11 ERR MONEY TO LEND. Any amount of Money to Loan on Flinn or Village property at 6 & PER CENT. YEARLY. Straight Loans with privilege of repaying when required. Apply to 4. HUNTER, Division Court Clerk, Brussels. BRUSSELS PUMP WORKS. The undersigned begs to inform the public that they have manufactured and ready for use PUMPS OF ALL KINDS, WOOD ,t IRON. Cisterns of Any dimension. GATES or ALL Slzrs. CLOTIfrs REELS of a superior construction. Examine our stock before purchasing elsewhere. A Call solicited. Wo aro also Agents for 1liDoltgall's Celebrated Windmill. Wilson & Pelton, Shop Opposite P. Scott'a Blacksmith Shop. P. S.—Prompt attention paid to all re- pairing of Pumps, de. L.iSTOWEL WOOLE MILLS. WID For the Season 1886. Cash Paid. I am prepared to pay the highesb cash priesofor good fleece wool delivered et the Lis• towel Woolen Mills. Having been eleven years in business here, it has always been my endeavor to pay higher than the market allows, and in the past years have paid city market prices. Wool being so low in price, ib will afford me pleasure to pay the highest price going. In exchanging wool for goods will allow a few Bente more. Will also guar- antee to sell my goods at Oash prices. I don't have two prices—cash and trade—my rule is one price only. Running 111e year round enables me to carry a large stock. Thie year having a larger sleek than usual, will offer you The best ,Stock of lhveeds in the Dominion to choose front: Double andTwisted Full Cloths, Flannels, Blankets, all Goods of the Newest and Latest Designs. Come early with your wool and you will find ue ready and willing to give you our best attention. We will be happy for you to Inspect Goode and Prices before disposing of your wool, I retnain, yours respectfully, 13. ATI i il} },I MLLE 1P lJ SIJOEIJ., ONT". CHANGE , OF PROPS IITORS. Hmbving leased tho well known and splendidly equipped Roller Flouring Mill, from Messrs. Wm. Vanstono & Sons for a term of years,' we clasil'e to intimate to the farmers of Huron Co. and the public generally that N1,0 aro .propared to tarn out the host brands of Flour, look after the G3,'isting Traclo, supply any quantity of Bran, Chopped stuff, &c., and inby Any Quantity of `Wheat, . Tho inill is recognised as ono of the host in Ilio County and our long experieco in this business gives tis confidence in saying wo g:larn.ntei satisfact en, Flour and ,Feed Always on hand, 1'Grilihiug and Chopping promptly attended. to. A CALL'\SOLICITED. ,I to relit. Lotrick, , PROPRIETORS.