Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-06-18
THE OLD MAIDS STORY.
A WARWICKsHIRE TALE.
BY oEooRGIAxA 8. pKRpuR.

You will, perhaps, smile at an old woman q van =
ity, when tell you that this face, now so wrin-
kied, was once tair; this white hair once golden,
these sunksn eyes once brilliant that was the
pride Of the village through which you just no W
passed. In that village my father was a wealthy
farmer, and was his only child, His gold, and
my fair face, brought many suItors. / ohose one
whom, with woman's penetration in love, 1 knew
wooed me for myself alone, but, fortunately, my
lover the enc of all others that my father dis
approved. My father was proud of his wealth;
prouder still of the antiquity of his family, He
loved to bonst that the "Flowers" had for three
generations held the farm on which he was born.
and It was with rage and modification he learned
that Frank Stopford the son Of the game.keeper
at the hall, was the chosen lover of his daughter
Jcssy.
The story Of our love is brief--tis but the his
tory of day. J. with many Of my village friends
had started in the morning to visit spot dear to
every English heart, the birthplace Of Shake
spear. Wewandered through the time worn rooms
and spelt out many name upon the waIls-some
lowly and unknown, others noble and kinRly
At length itwas proposed that We should aepa-
rate and sock amusement for ourselves. Frank
StopfoTd begged permission TO show me the ohurol .
yard and the tomb Of the great poet. We soon
reached the row OF noble trees that overhang the
Avon, under their shade we walked, while Frank
with eoquentwords, pictured to inc the life Of Eng
lands noblest son, his wild youth, his love, his
genius, his life in London, his end so sad and SO
glorious. Then he preceded to speak Of himself.
aud to tell me that the solicitor in Warwick, TO
whom he had been articed through tho influence
Of the squire, had spoken fayoraby of bis abilities
and that in two more days he would leave for
London to try bis fortune in the great CITY, where
so many hopes are bliehted, so many hearts crush
ed.
My quivering lips and startling tears omboldsn.
cd him. 'Jessy," he said, ~ go without fear, if
go armed with your love, it win be beacon to
guide me In time Of trial, TO cheer me in moments
Of dependency. Tell me, dearest, is It nineI 1
feel that l shall some day win name worthy for
you 10 share, We are both young. Tell me, Jessy
can you love and waltz" With a wildly thfobbing
heart, but clear, firm voice, 1 replied "For You,
dear Frank, l will love and wait, and hope"
Taking my hand in his with a look from his ine
blue eyes that sank into my heart, he spoke to me
in faltsring tones Of his deep, abounoinR love. /
could not reply, for my heart was too full. There
are moments into which the feelings of a life seem
compressed, and this was sush 10 me. | would
have given worlds 70 have told him how long how
passionate had loved him, but the words died up.
on my lips AMI in silence We left the spot and re-
joined our companions.
During the homeward ride we cOnjured up
bright visions Of our future life spoke with hope
full confidence Of his talents and success.
He, with a lovers enthusiasm, declared that
possessing me, he was already rich. At parting he
pressed upon my lips one long, close kiss and, full
Of hope sprung across the fields TO meet my father
and Roquaint him with our mutual love. That
night, a. laid my head upon the pillow, the
world seemed TO overflow with Joy, my pAth
through life 70 be btreWn with roses.
The following morning, when my father and
were seated at break kfast--I should have told Won
that my dear mother died when was quite young
i noticed that cloud rested on bis brow. Pcs
entity he said; "Those stopfords are unbearably
Yesterday evening that Young
upstart lawyers clerk asked me for you, Jessy,
and when daily refused to hear him, he dared 10
hint that you loved bin, told him that myIdAugh-
ter Jessy Flower was far too handsome and sensi.
bio girl to marry q fellow like him, and that II
you had given him any encouragement it was be-
cause you were ignorant Of his circumstances,
which would take care you should be acquainted
with soon enough so Jessy, In future take no more
notice Of the fellow"
"Fathsr," cried "what have you done, driven
him away, and insuled him, tool Aila with his sem
,itive miHd aud noble hsarti"
"Trash about his noble heart" broke out my
Iather In towering rage, sis II possible you are
lueh fool as TO care any thing about himi"
"care for him." answered, through passionate
ears, "f love him dearly, better than any one,
more than llfe."
In a cold, calm voice, as he left the room. nv |
Athsr said, "Mind. girl, II you have any thing 20 |
Iay to Frank stopford you may die in ditch be-
ore shilling OF my money shall save YOU"
All that day hung heavily upon my hands. L /
onged 10 see Frank, and wondered Ii he would
write or send me soma token VI remembrance, but
yes doomed y pass the week without a word Of
'ckuowledgment, Atleng,h, As time wore on, / |
concluded that pride with him had conquered love,
md that was ioEgottea, but Wronged him by
h0ss thOughta, for the morning after my fathers
sfusai, he sent ne lsstsr, which was delivered