The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-12-15
RAvENNA. SATURDAY, DECEMBER Is, 1855.

He thought she did not lock beautiful, a
he sat, before service, looking on the older
faces; but there was fairer one than hers
he fancied as he saw the sweet face of
ice May, with the halfclosed eyes, and the
long golden edged lashes Swallowing tn,
pale cheek. He carried in his bosom
curl like the one nesting SO softly by hel
temple, and il was talisman, keeping him
from the. enchuntment OF other eyes.
When the service was closed, Ben wal
thronged by old familiar faces-they hat
30 much to says so many things TO speak Of
SO much to express at his safe return, that
it well nigh bewilderad him. 1t was very
pleasant to be SO warmly welcomed by old
friends, delightful to chat of by go1es, ant
indeed Sabbath of joy to Ben Bolt.
Sweet Alice! All, how long and weary
the time had been to her. Sometimes her
heart died within her as she thought of the
broad ocean; but when she looked SO shy
ly at Ben that morning and saw how hand
some he had Crowns heart sickness came
over her, and the sunshine fell but dimply
OF her feet. She knew she had hidden a.
way in the depths Of her pure heart, wild
early love, and she strove to put it from her;
for would he think OF her now! So. it was
no wonder she should slip her slender hand
in her mothers and steal quietly from the
joyous throng.
1t was Sabbath evc--one Of those balmy,
moonlight evenings of the young summer,
Mrs. May had gone to visit sick neigh
Dor, and Alice sat by the window with the
Bibble open, and her slender white fingers
pointing to the words falling SO unsteady
from her lips: .r........
'And there shall be no light there; and
they need no candle, neither light of the
sun: for the Lord God giveth them light, and
they shullreign for ever and ever.
She looked tremblingy upon the moon
light, for close behind her knelt the manly
form of Ben Bolt. There was told sweet
story of love and hope, not the less sweet
for being the language of every human
heart, and the tinny hands of Alice clasped
in his as she said very low and sweetly.
TfI live, Ben, when fyeyears more have
passed, and you return SECOND time
She did not finish tit never was finish
cd .., --+. 80
So they plightcd their troth that calm, ho-
ly Sabbath evening: and the buoyant heart of
Ben in its gushing sunniness, pictured radiant
hopes of the future. He was SO young and
full of vitality--everypulse ofhis heart was
beating gladly, and the coming I've years
were more precious to him than all the
past.
IF we. both live, Ben, God will have US
in his holy keeping,' she said in answer to
his parting words;but, as he pressed her con-
vulsively to his beating heart, he replied:
God will be mercifu to :hose who love
SO dearly, Alice darling.'
She knew it but she knew also that God
did not always hear the prayer falling from
the hopeful lips. Sweet Alice! Adown
the future Ben looked tremblingly, and os
he saw her fragile form and spiritual face,
with white lilies braided in the soft brown
hair, his eyes grew dim with tears, for he
knew not if twas bridal or q burial. for
beside the altar was the grave yard.
They were not wanting who wondered
at Ben Bolts choice, and thought it strange
he should take Alice May in preference to
the fairest and wealthiest. Some there were
who held their heads lofty when they pass
ed her, but her heart was on the blue waters
and she needed it not els4 as'ae
How SHE watched the summer days intheir
passing. She noted how the summer wan
ned--how the fields Of waving grain grew
yellow in the sunlght--she heard the voices
of the reapers--and when the leaves were
falling the children went out gathering in
the woods; when the noiseless snow fell,
and lay on tBehill side, as in olden days, un-
til the genial spring tide sun melted it away
and the violets and hare.bells dotted the
fields. So passed the year. She was grow.
ing fairer and more beautiful,--too brill.
liant for anything earthly. Once she knelt
at the altar in the little church, and listened
to the words uniting her with the Sayior's
redeemed on earth; but it was only an out
ward form, for her. heart had long been in
the keeping of angels. Again she watched
the wanning Of the summer days, and when
the soft wind swept over the silvery rye
fields, she thought of the ocean afar with its
broad waves. All through the winter she
grew more spiritual in her beauty, and
the slender white hands were often folded
on her breast and she prayed for those
who she knew would soon be left desti
tute, for she knew she was dying.
II did not startle ,her;for she had fell lont
ago that the fair, green earth would hole
her pulseiess heart, ere it had left the clois.
ter of girlhood. Life was sweet AMI
beautiful and in her sinlessness, death ha,
no agony, save her sorrow for those lef
in loneliness. 1t was only very little
way to the land Of rest, and her feet hae
never grown weary;yet she longed to lool
once more upon the flowers and have then
braided in her hair; and SO she fingered til
the voice Of spring was heard upon the bill
tops.
One morning when yiewless hands were