Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-05-10


the years have changed me more than they
have you. But you have no, forgotten the
name of Leonard Hughes, the blacksmith's
nephewW
Her face suddenly leaped into recognition
and placing her little hands in his, she said,
with the tears thrilling her eyes, "Ob, am
glad to see you, Mr.. Hugbes!"
There was little time for speech or con-
graduation then, but Nj. Hughes twas pre-.
sented to Mr.. and Mrs. Dean, and receiving
their address, promised to call before the
week was over.
And after they had learned the whole story
of their cousins acquaintance with the
Lecturer, the young cousins were profuse in
their CALCULATIONS OF surprise and delight,
but Evelyn sat very quiet, with her blue
eyes on the hands which she had folded in
her lap, only murmuring occasionally to her.
self, "Who could have believed itp'
Leonard Hughes was true to his promise.
He called to see Evelyn Lensrd before the
week was out, and very'oiten a:xsrward, for
he had much to tell her OF the long, long
struggles betwixt poverty and the desires and
purposes which never grew faint or wavered
in his soul, and of his final triumph.
And Evelyn listened to his story until the
tears stood still on her cheeks as she mur-
INJURED, "Oh, Mr.. Hughes, I dom, see how
you ever held out end conquered all these
obstacles and trials"
"God helped me-" said the young man
solemnly; "they have made better. strong.
er man of me-"
! A smile leaped through her tears. "Jus'
as mine will, hope, make better stronger
woman OF me-"
One afternoon in the late spring, when the
sunbeams futtered about the walls like gold
en- winged birds, and the pulses of the earth
were full of the stir and expectation Of sum
mer, Leonard Hughes and Evelyn Lenard
sat alone BY one Of the front windows in he
parlor.
81 am expecting to leave town day aftel
to. morrow" said the gentleman. breaking {
long pause which, somehow, had slipped in
to their conversation, "and ctnnoi do thi.
without paying debt which have owet
you quite too long now"
"Wha, debt, Mr.. Hughes!"
"That hundred dollars borrowed Of yoi
so many years ago. have been com putini
the interest which has accumulated on it,
j Will you please see whether that is rightl
and he laid roll of bank.notes in the lady
, lap.
Her face flushed. "Oh. Mr.. Hughes TAX
back this money. do not want it,"
I "But owe it to you, and"
D "No you don't. 1t pains me to have 20
!. insist on this, when you know / did no NOR
f. than you would for me-"
;. 81 hate 10 pain you, Miss Lenard," sal
Leonard Hughes, looking on the girl witt
f his bright, deep-set eyes. unit! she sheltere
v her own under her golden lashes, shut some
J. how, this heavy obligation chafes me, and
v want to feel that it is cancelled"
"Well, you may feel that" laying the mo
;. ey on his knee.
d ~ can't, unless you take the money; Ut
O less-yes, there is one other way in which
t might be made to feel no longer the obliga
q ton "
r. "What way is that!" her blue eyes file
). with wonder.
"a "Will you promise to consent--no, it ism
fair to ask you without explaining"
IS "I will promise if can," with her low
d quick laugh slipping out OF her lips.
He bent down his head to hers and viii:
!; pered, "You must take the hundred dollar
II or give me this" seizing her hand and clo
ing his fingers tightly over it.
She knew what he meant, but she did M
10 move or stir.
n, "Evelyn, which shall it bel" half relea
* ing her hand
1t nestled softly back into his again, al
ID Leonard Hughes was answered.