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feet; and here there is no one you can possibly have, unless it be dear, good,
old Mr. Woods.
Maud compressed her lips, and really looked stern, so determined was she to
command herself; then she answered somewhat in her sister s vein--
It is very true, she said, there is no hero for me to accept, unless it be
dear Mr. Woods; and he, poor man, has had one wife that cured him of any
desire to possess another, they say.
Mr. Woods! I never knew that he was married. Who can have told you this,
Maud?
I got it from Robert --answered the other, hesitating a little. He was
talking one day of such things.
What things, dear?
Why--of getting married--I believe it was about marrying relatives--or
connections--or, some such thing; for Mr. Woods married a cousin-german, it
would seem--and so he told me all about it. Bob was old enough to know his
wife, when she died. Poor man, she led him a hard life--he must be far from
the Knoll, by this time, Beulah!
Mr. Woods!--I left him with papa, a few minutes since, talking over the
ceremony for to-morrow!
I meant Bob--
Here the sisters caught each other s eyes, and both blushed, consciousness
presenting to them, at the same instant, the images that were uppermost in
their respective minds. But, no more was said. They continued their
employments in silence, and soon each was kneeling in prayer.
The following day, Evert Beekman and Beulah Willoughby were married. The
ceremony took place, immediately after breakfast, in the little chapel; no one
being present but the relatives, and Michael O Hearn, who quieted his
conscience for not worshipping with the rest of the people, by acting as their
sexton. The honest county Leitrim-man was let into the secret--as a great
secret, however--at early dawn; and he had the place swept and in order in
good season, appearing in his Sunday attire to do honour to the occasion, as
he thought became him.
A mother as tender as Mrs. Willoughby, could not resign the first claim on
her child, without indulging her tears. Maud wept, too; but it was as much in
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sympathy for Beulah s happiness, as from any other cause. The marriage, in
other respects, was simple, and without any ostentatious manifestations of
feeling. It was, in truth, one of those rational and wise connections, which
promise to wear well, there being a perfect fitness, in station, wealth,
connections, years, manners and habits, between the parties. Violence was done
to nothing, in bringing this discreet and well-principled couple together.
Evert was as worthy of Beulah, as she was worthy of him. There was confidence
in the future, on every side; and not a doubt, or a misgiving of any sort,
mingled with the regrets, if regrets they could be called, that were, in some
measure, inseparable from the solemn ceremony.
The marriage was completed, the affectionate father had held the weeping but
smiling bride on his bosom, the tender mother had folded her to her heart,
Maud had pressed her in her arms in a fervent embrace, and the chaplain had
claimed his kiss, when the well-meaning sexton approached.
Is it the likes of yees I wish well to! said Mike-- Ye may well saythat;
and to yer husband, and childer, and all that will go before, and all that
have come afther ye! I know d ye, when ye was mighty little, and that was
years agone; and niver have I seen a cross look on yer pretthy face. I ve
app inted to myself, many s the time, a consait to tell ye all this, by
wor-r-d of mouth; but the likes of yees, and of the Missus, and of Miss Maud
there--och! isn t she a swate one! and many s the pity, there s no sich tall,
handsome jontleman to takeher , in the bargain, bad luck to him for staying
away; and so God bless ye, all, praist in the bargain, though he s no praist
at all; and there s my good wishes said and done.
CHAPTER X.
Ho! Princes of Jacob! the strength and the stay
Of the daughters of Zion;--now up, and away;
Lo, the hunters have struck her, and bleeding alone
Like a pard in the desert she maketh her moan;
Up with war-horse and banner, with spear and with sword,
On the spoiler go down in the might of the Lord!
Lunt
Thesucceeding fortnight, or three weeks, brought no material changes, beyond
those connected with the progress of the season. Vegetation was out in its
richest luxuriance, the rows of corn and potatoes, freshly hoed, were
ornamenting the flats, the wheat and other grains were throwing up their
heads, and the meadows were beginning to exchange their flowers for the seed.
As for the forest, it had now veiled its mysteries beneath broad curtains of a
green so bright and lively, that one can only meet it, beneath a generous sun,
tempered by genial rains, and a mountain air. The chain-bearers, and other
companions of Beekman, quitted the valley the day after the wedding, leaving
no one of their party behind but its principal.
The absence of the major was not noted by Joel and his set, in the excitement
of receiving so many guests, and in the movement of the wedding. But, as soon
as the fact was ascertained, the overseer and miller made the pretence of a
slack-time in their work, and obtained permission to go to the Mohawk, on
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