Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-04-20

ful. I longed to ask for Alfred but dar
ed not trust myself.
A miniature case lay upon the table al
my side. 1 took it up and opened it,
The blood instantly rushed back to m,
heart, and I Irembled violently. ii was
a likeness of Alfred, but he was changed
too. The lofty brow had expanded, anc
the brown curls were brushed proudly
back, The once rosy cheeks looked thir
and pale; heavy, curling beard cover
ed the lower part of the face, and the
large dark, eyes looked mournfully into
! mine.
Yes, he is changed, Mrs. Russell ;
poor fellow and the mother bent over
me and looked at the picture.
" Has he been unfortunate % asked
quickly.
She looked earnestly into my face, and
replied, Mrs. Russell, my son has no
secret from his mother Years ago he
| loved;-but before he could summon cour-
age to tell of it, she he loved went away
and married another"
I thought lii moment of her of whom
Nellie had written.
Mrs. Williams wrote me about her,"
said Noting her puzzled look, added,
- She came here about year after left,
did she not 2" I intended to be very calm,
but was nevertheless conscious of betray-
ing more interest than 1 cared to mani
fest.
She looked at me a moment, and took
up my hand. * Matte" said she, 'you
have ii good kind heart, and will, at least,
pity him. II was Matte Kendricll he SO
loved, and no one else"
But who was the other?" gasped.
You must mean his cousin, Jennie
Bray" said Mrs. Fletcher. She mar
ried Mr.. Melvin. She il a good, kind
girl, and was almost like sister to my
Alfred"
With mighty effort I suppressed my
emotion, and soon changed the subject
1t was not alluded to again. Nelh must
have known something of this, mused
as retuned hume that night Then I
knew why she had never mentioned AL
fred IN her letters after my marriage with
Mr.. Russell. From my very heart
blessed her. Had I known that Alfred
Fletcher loved me, 1t might have darken-
ed my married life. I would not have
been unfaithful, even in my heart, to my
noble husband, but thanks TO Nellie's no.
bic tact, had been saved even temptation.
From that day loved my friend better
than even before.
In few weeks left for the residence
of my sisler-in-law.
was warmly received by my sister-in-
Jaw, Mrs. Erskine. Every possible pains
was taken to make my stay pleasant. For
a while 1 enjoyed the exciting scenes of
the city, but soon became tired cf it,
and longed for some sequestered nook
where could sit down and mediate.
On one occasion we drove along by the
side of a beautiful cemetery. 1 was en-
chanted. I could not bear the pleasant
conversation evidently kept up for my en-
tertainment; neither did it suit me to be
/ confined to a carriage I longed to stroll
at liberty and alone through the shady
walks, and give myself up entirely to the
enchanting spell which was thrown round
me. As we drove homeward a resolution
was formed in my mind to revisit the place
next day alone.
Accordingly, the following m orning at
an early honr, prepared to go out, say
/ ing that should be absent for several
hours. Once there 1 gave myself to the
! influence of the place, stroliing for hours
/ through the shady, fowerbordered walks,
and wild, winding patches, till at last,
wearied, sat down in a retired nook, and
was soon lost in meditation. know not
how long remained there, when was
started by approaching footsteps. L loo k
/ ed up-Alfred Fletcher stood before me.
Thrown completely off my guard, ut
tered an exclamation of surprise, then
sank back faint and giddy upon my seat.
He sprang forward and grasped my hand.
" Mattie-Mrs. Russell" said he, cor
recting himself, nothing could have
given me greater pleasure
Il am Matte still, Alfred" said |; and
looking up l encountered that earnest,
loving gaze, which had sent such thrills
to my heart long years ago. But there
was no dark mountain of reserve between
u. now bitter experience had taught US
both a lesson of common sense. Retain
ING nv hand he seated himself beside me,
passed his arm around my waist, and
strained me convulsively to his heart.
" Matte, dearest, long lost Matte, may
l not love you now."
He pressed me closer to his bosom
l"These long years Of sorrow have not
been for naught," he answered, "thIs mo-
ment of happiness is worth more than all
He bowed his head upon my shoulder, ant
his strong frame shook like reed.
Long we sat there, talking of the pas;
Everything was explained to our mutua
satisfaction We were oblivIous TO the
time, I'LL the bell warned ali visitors fron
the grounds. As we walked homewar(
we talked Of the future.
Why need we wait, Matte said he
Lam engag in proserous business
and can at once place you IN the clrcl
YOU are so we'll fitted to adorn.'
&" l must first secure the appreciation o
my fri ends here" l replied, " and the
we vii talk about making our arrange
ments."
l c-..I NJ Ersl:ina aycee1inrlV anX