Page:Orange Grove.djvu/251

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ever changes might betide her, if, in surrendering herself to it, she should reap a life of wretchedness and want, because he in whom she trusted had not strength to resist the overpowering influences of this world, might he not when taken from them become again the pure and loving spirit he now is? Her present duty she saw and would perform it; the future she must trust to God. Oh Love! what magic is thine! no barrier so great but thou cans't o'erleap it! She took her Bible and read a chapter before going down to breakfast. Vanquished was every trace of earthly anguish, and her father's averted look had no terrors for her now. The meal was eaten in silence.

As Mr. Kingley rose to go out she said to him,

"Father, may I speak with you a moment?"

"You know what I told you last night," and his voice grew husky with rage, "if you consent to see James Morgan, you leave this house forever! I am in earnest."

Mary was prepared for this, and preserved her composure. She saw that her only alternative was to take her father at his word and quit the house. Where to go was the question, but she must leave that to be decided when Walter came. Every moment was now needed to make the hasty preparations for her departure leaving no time for reflection or regret. The canary birds in her window sung their liveliest songs, striving to drown the music of the little birds who sang on the apple tree boughs, but she scarcely breathed a sigh at the thought that it was in all probability the last time she would ever