Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-06-25
THE wOOING OF JOHN HALIFAX

PN' PiNi was SiAnPlJ III hiS haihO1 III
her clear, round, fir hand writing
"John Halifax" His fingers closed
over it cOnyulsively. "I--she is
very kind.' The words died away
the hand which grasped, ay, for more
than minute, the unopened letter,
trembled like an aspen leaf 9" Yes,
hers is grateful nature, +" observed Mrs.
Jessop, sedulously looking at and speak
ing to me. 81 would not wish it other
wise-I would not wish her to forget
those whose worth she proved in her
season of trouble" l was silent-the
old lady's tongue likewise failed her.
She took off her glove, wiped finger
across each eyelash, and sat STILL
Have you read your little note, Mr..
Halifax 2" No answer. "'I will take
your message back. She told me whi
she said TO YOU" Ay, all the world
might have read those simple lines
"My dear friend, l did not know till
yesterday that you had been sick. l
have not forgotten how kind you were
to my poor father. 1 should like to
come and see you if you will allow me.
Yours, sincerely
URSULA MARCH"
This was all the note. saw il more
than thirty years afterwards, yellow and
faded in the corner of his pocket book.
"Well, what shall say to my child 90
4" Say, he half rose, struggling to
speak-"ask her to come" He turned
his head towards the window, and the
sunshine glittered on two great drops,
large as a child's tear. Mrs. Jessop
went away. And now for long hour
we waited scarcely moving. John lay,
his eyes sometimes fixed on the bit OF
blue sky that shone out above the iron
railings amongst the abbey trees.
More than once they wandered to the
little letter that lay buried in his hand.
! He felt it there-that was enough My
father came in from the garden, and set
tied to his afternoons doze but 1 think
John hardly noticed him nor l. My
poor old father. Yetwe were all young
once-let youth enjoy its day. Al
length--long before heard a sound.
John whispered to himself-"She is cum-
ing" Ursula came.
She stood at the parlor door. rosy
with walking--a vision of youth and
candid innocence, which blushed not,
nor had need TO blush, at any intent or
act which was no. sacrificed by the law
of God and by her own heart. John
rose to meet her. They did not speak
but only clasped hands. He was not
strong enough for disguise now-in his
first look size might have seen, have felt
that l Lad told her true. For Eers-bur
it dropped down as Ursula March S
clear glance never dropped before. Then
1 knew how all would end. Jael's
voice broke in sharply. ABEL Fletch-
er, the doctors wife is wanting thee
down in the kitchen garden, and she
says her green gooseberries bean't hall
as big as our'n.' Ny father woke
rubbed his eyes-became aware of a
lady's presence-rubbed them again
and sat staring.
John led Ursula to the old mans
chair. "Mr. Fletcher, this is Miss
March, a friend of mine, who hearing
was i'll, out of kindness-" his voice
faltered. Miss March added in low
tone, with downcast eyelid-" | am an
orphan, lie was kind TO my father. p
Abel Fletcher nodded his head-adjust-
ed his spectacels-eyed her all over, and
nodded again slowly, gravely, with a
satisfied inspection. His hard gaze lin
gered, and softened while it fingered on
that young face, whereon was written
simplicity, dignity, truth. D." If thee be
a friend of Johns, welcome to my
bouse.' -
And now the room daikened so fast tha
/ could not see them ; but their voice:
seemed great way off, as the children
voices playing at the well-head used tc
sound to me as lay under the brow o
the Flat-in the dim twilight at Euder
lay.
"I intend" John said, 60 as soon as
am able, to leave Norton Bury, and &C
abroad for some time" " Where ?"-
/" To America. 1t is the best country
for a young man who has neither
money, nor kindred, nor position-noth
ing. in fact, but his own right hand witt
which to carve out his own fortune-a!
l will, if can" She murmured some
thing about his being "quite right" 81
am glad you think &C." But his voice
had resumed that formal tone which
ever and anon mingled strangely will
its low, deep tenderness. "In any case
must quit England. 1 have reasons
J for so doing" "What reasons ?" Tht
= question seemed TO startle Johnnie diC
) not reply at once. elf you wis', | will
tell you-in order that, should I eve
come back-or if 1 should not con'
back at all. you, who are kind enough
; to be my friend, will know that l do 40
go away from mere youthful reckless