The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-12-31
CHAPTER VII.

- CHAPTER VII.
Mr.. FIELDING was reclining at his
leisure upon knoll beneath tree, half
hidden by the long grass which rustled
around him A volume of ''Shakspeare,',
opsn at the Midsummer Nights
Dream" had nearly dropped from his
hand for he had forgotten all about the
fairies and the lovers of the play in mu-
sing upon his own happiness The clink
of workmen',s hammers, as they carved
and polished the stone for his new house,
smote upon his ears pleasantly for, as
the hum Of the bee tells of summer and
summer sweets, the soft tumult of the
distant work told of home and wife.
The first thing which reused him from
his reveric was the sound of approach
ing voices, conversing in low but earnest
| tones. Looking up, he saw his Myrtle
and the young artist slowly walking.
arm in arm, to and fro, on the level
stretch just beneath him. At first, he
could distinguish no words, and, indeed,
he did not wish nor intend to, though
his curiosity was excited by the absorb
ing interest with which they appeared
to listensand reply. At last, they paus-
cd quite near him, and, throwing their
arms abont each other, sobbed like two
little children.
"a pretty scene! behold it, ye heav-
ems and earth !" muttered Hugh, be-
tween his compressed lips, his vest-but-
tons ready to burst with his suppressed
anger. saIs there no truth in woman ?"
After yielding to their passionate
grief for time, Myrtle stood back, and
folded her hands tightly together. He
could see her beautiful face bathed in
tears.
Go, john" she said, in that voice of
forced calmness which tells most plainly
of despair. {" L must never see you
again. You will not blame me, ever, in
your thought, know. You will not
call me false. should be false to eve
ry impulse of gratitude and duty did I
consult our happiness before that of my
friend, my benefactor, my more than
father. You know all that he has done
for me-all the claims he has upon me.
I should rather we should both be mis-
erable all our lives than to be the one to
infict pain upon him. You do not ask
it, do you, John ?"
"No, no, I do not. His claims are
superior to mino. But oh, Myrtle, it is
killing mel'
"Dont say that, John. You will be
happy some time, if only to reward you
for your noble sacrifice now: I knoao
you will Heaven will bless you. Good
by" .--
Her companion gazed at her as if he
could not tear himself away.
eco, go, dear John. Good-by."
"Oh, God, Myrtle Good-by."
He turned from her with listless,
weary step, and went away, leaving her
leaning against young maple-tree, look
ing after him with blinded eyes.
Hugh had heard and seen it ALL
Slowly his anger had melted away, as he
heard this youthful pair brave,y renoun-
cling what was their evident happiness
for him. For the first time, his own
selfshness appeared to him. What right
had he to require the love and duty of
that young heart which had turned SO
much more naturally to more fitting
mate? Yes, he had to acknowledge,
proud and conscious of his rare acquire
ments as he was, that John Jones, with
his boyish beauty and enthusiasm and
fresh feeling, was more suitable COM
panion than he for the fair girl who had
chosen him. Yet he had not meant to
be selfish. He loved Myrtle too well
for that. Ab, it was always his fate to
play the martyr-to see the uutasted
cup snatched away, to know no fruition
of his hopes. He was too much of he
ro to shrink from the crisis. He could
not blight the happiness of two young
souls for a few years of bliss for himself
He would emulate the generosity which
he had just seen. He wanted to rise
and call the boy to return and receive
from his hands the most precious gift
which he had to bestow.
While he was still debating within
himself whether it was possible for him
thus suddenly to immediate himself, an
other person was added to the scene OF
which he had been an unknown specta-
tor Il
A lady came along the path from the
cabin, looking about as if in search of