Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-01-02

long time, Ben; ever since the day you
brought me home through the snow
do you remember 2"
He did remember, and with one pas
sionate burst of grief, he pressed the lit
tie girl to his bosom and the brave
hearted boy sobbed the farewell he could
not find words for.
But, FIVE years are not always life
time. Tue it was to the quiet, thought
ful Charlie Allen, whose large, dark
eyes. had stolen brilliancy from his books;
and the laughing little Bell Archer
both were laid to sleep in lhe same old
church-yard, where the night stars shone
over the graves. Others went to seek a
fortune in the the gay world, and some
grew into miniature men and women by
their own sweet fresides; but Alice May
was still a child. Yet she was a little
taller and hersligh form gracefully devel-
oped; but there was the same angel look
ing through her eyes as had watched
there in olden days. She had stayed al
hcme now to assist her mother in sewing,
their chief support; but she was the same
shy, sweet Alice that Ben Bolt had car
ried through the snow.
Ben Bolt had come back. How
strange that five years should have pass
ed so quickly, and stranger still that this
tall, handsome sailor shonld be Ben Bolt.
Kate Ashley was not thinking of sweet
Sabbath day rest as the chime of the
church bell floated through the village !;
there she stood before the mirror arrang
ing her curls, and fastening her dainty
bonnet, with its white ribbons and droop-
ing blue bells, thinking if she could not
iascinate Ben with her sparkling eyes, it
it wonld be delightful to have his chief
attention during the day.
He thought she did not look beautiful,
as he sat, before service, looking on the
olden faces; but there was a fairer one
than hers, he fancied he saw the sweet
face Alice May, with the half closed
eyes, and the long golden edged lashes
shadowing the pale check He carried
in his bosom a curl like the one nesting
SO softly by her temple, and it was a tai
isman, keeping him from the enchant-
ment Of other eyes.
When the service was closed, Ben was
thronged. by cid familiar faces-they had
so much to say, so many things to speak
of, so much TO express at his safe retnrn,
that it nigh bewildered him. 1t was very
pleasant to be so warmly welcomed by
cid friends, delightful to chat of by
cones, and indeed Sabbath ofjoy to Ben
Bolt.
Sweet Alice All, how long and
weary the time had been to her. Some
times her heart died within her as she
thought of the broad ocean but when
she looked SO shyly at Ben that morning
and saw how handsome he had grown,
a heart-slcknesS came over her, and the
sunshine fell but dimly at her feet
She knew she had hidden away in the
depth of her pure heart, a wild early
love, and she slrove TO put ii from her
for would he think of her now? So, it
was no wonder she should slip her slen-
der hand in her mother's and steal quiet
ly from the joyous throng.
1t was Sabbath eve-one of those
balmy, moonlight evenings of the young
summer, Mrs. May had gone TO visit a
sick neighbOr, and Alice sat by the win
dow with the Bible open, and her slen-
der while fingers pointing TO the words
filling so muaically from her lips:
''And there shall be no light there
and they need no candle, neither lisht of
the sun; for the Lord God giveth them
light, and they shall reign for ever and
ever
She looked tremblingly upon the moon
light, for close behind her knelt the man
ly form of Ben Bolt. There was told
sweet story of love and hope, not tie less
sweet for being the language Of every
human heart. and tie tiny hands of AL
ice clasped in his as she said very low
and sweet
"If live, Ben, when five years more
have PASSED, and you return second
time"
She did not finish tit never was fin.
ished.
So they plighted their troth that calm,
holy Sabbath evening and the bouy-
ant heart of Ben in its gushing sunniness
pictured Isiant hopes of the future. He
was so young and full of vitality-every
pulse of his heart was beating gladly,
and the coming five years were more
precious to him than all the past. H.
"If we both live, Ben, God will have
Is in his holy keeping" she said in an
'wer to his parting words, but, as he
pressed her convulsively to his beating
heart, he replied:
"God will be merciful to those who
owe so dearly, Alice darling.'
She knew it, but she knew also that
God did not always hear the prayer fall
ing from the hopeful lips. Sweet Alice!
Adown the future Ben looked and as he
Jaw her fragile form and spiritual face,
With white lilies braided in the soft
,roxn hair his ewes Urew dim with tnare