Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-02-09

the heart and home of their guardian. thei
fathers brother, who, as far as possible
supplied the loss of parents, and lavishet
upon them every indulgence, which mon
ey and affection could suggest. Alice wa
two years the Oldest, and was an estab
lished favorite in society, when her sister a
the The age of eighteen, was introduced t.
the world as recipient of its homage. /
was on her presentation night that sh,
first met Ralph Howard, and that nigh
she learned the mystery which through al
her girlish years she had been vainly try
! ing to solve, that true life is love, and tba
all the love which could bless her lay il
the soul Of him whose earnest eyes looked
SO en,ranc ngly. into her own. And from
that moment that enraptured gaze was re.
, turned, Ralph Howard knew that upon hi,
destiny had risen star whose brightness.
eternity could not extinguish. -.
Hewas an only son of an aristocratic bu'
decayed family of English descent, the
possessor of the most refined moral and
| social attributes, mental abilities which
promised eminence, and these, combined
with distinguished personal attractions
gave him an exalted position in the most
exclusive circles. But his collegiate course
and a years travel in Europe had exhaus,
ted the remnant of his patrimony, aud al
wenty three be found himself launched up.
on the tide of busy life with no helm but
his own energy TO guide him through its
breakers. But to youth and health that
is all sufficient, and Ralph Howard was
not one to sit down idly and sigh over ex-
hausted fortunes. To resolve was to act,
whatever consequences the act might in
volve. California was beginning to develop
its untold treasures, and to this land Of
promise be determined to direct his steps.
One wish, one hope, and one reward in
the far-off distant ever-impelling him on
ward. A
Agnes Bertrand had stolen apart from a
merry group, and was plucking roses
in the garden, when Ralph joined her, up
on the evening before his departure. He
well knew that she would be there, and to
avoid observation, entered the garden by q
little gate in the hedge equally concealed
from the piazza and the street. a
"Miss Bertrand, AgnesF' a
With a joyous bound. and smile, born
of the hearts unchecked gladuess, she was
at his side, and in an instant more her
white hand was resting quietly in bis own.
Agnes, | am come to say good-by"-
the rich voice trembled-"a word never
freighted with so much agony as now"
$50 sooDi I thought it would not be
for some days yet" -.
"So soon. At this hour to- morrow l
shall be far on my lonely way, lighted only
by the stars of memory and hope. Agnes,
| need not tell you how delightfuls have
been these few months of unrestricted
intercourse; need not tell you that every
pulse of my heart is silent, sacred offer
ing to you. You have OWNED it already,
and now let me prove my hearts devotion
by dedicating the best years Of my life to
wearisome, wearing toll. Fortune has de-
MED me entrance to her fairy haunts, ex-
cept through the rough avenue of labor.
l am poor, and can wed no woman to pow
erty least of all Agnes Bertrand! When
| have accumulated wealth / shall return
not before-and if find you unchanged,
it will be the proudest hour of my
life to lay it your feet and crave your dis
posal. By all that unites kindred souls,
you are mine, Agnes; but l shall bind you
BY no VOW, l shall impose no restraint up
on your future actions. Follow the dictates
of your own pure heart and l will be con-
tent. If / find you unwedded, my reward
will be greater than all the hardships the
interval can infict-if another shall have
claimed you, my consolation will be found
in having labored and lived for you-fare
WE'LL" G
"Ralphr'
But Ralph was, .baaopd recall, and for
many a long year d De that pleading
voice might cry in ih. She could not
bring him back, ap1 In the blushing con-
fession of her ID iutimated that her
wealth would suffice for both; she could
not assure him that, without the accesso-
ries of houses and land and gold, she could
be happy, happy anywhere with him. He
was gone, and only the wild anguish in |
her heart, the burning kiss upon her fore
head, and the white rose, gemmed with
ears and twined amid her tressss, told her |
hat those hurried moments were not a |
eafful fitting dream.'1lf lgolss iaa i.in