New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1860-08-17
CHAPTER II.

Given up myself 80 many times,
Gained me the gains of various men,
Ransack'i the ages, spoiled the chimes;
Yet one thing-one in my souls full scope
Either miss'd or itself miss'd one
AndI Iwant and find you, Evelyn Hope, a
What is the issue! let US sea!"
Years had paased since Clarence Mi
ford went from the door Of my cottage
into the broad sunshine, and left the
blackness of midnight behind him;
years that had scattered silver threads
in my hair, and traced deep lines on my
brow: and the little willow twig Iplant.
ed at Hettie's foot-stone had grown high
and thrown out its loving branches, till
they overswept all that sacred spot, and
roses had climbed up the headstone, till
they rested their sweet buds against
her name, and yet she seemed only to
have gone from me for a day. Other
faces became familiar in my home, but
SACRED to the memory" was written
over one place at the board, over one
seat at the freside. and the door of
one little white curtained chamber was
forever closed.
And how had the years passed to the
proud man Clarence Milford? Had the
smiles and hollow praises Of the world
brought him the happiness he had
promised in youth? Let us see.
It is luxurious home that owns him
master; it is proud lady that he is
thinking at some future time will share
it, and yet his restless spirit roves. In
his sleeping or waking dreams, there
comes to him fairy form Of life and
light that his heart claims as It's own; a
pair of laughing eyes look into his as
never other eyes looked; sweet voice
whispered "dea, Clarence" just as no
other voice ever did, or will, whisper
it again.
II should like to see that little rus
tic beauty once more,' said he to him
self, as he sat one day musing on past
scenes. "Strange how this old dream
haunts me! but I forget the long years
| that have come between ia Such
maiaens seldom live unwooed or unwon,
but, be that as it may, l will see her.
"On!" said he, to the driver; your
horses 60 at "a tagging Iate."On, far
away over the prairie, miles and miles,
he had just caught sight of the little
village, and oh, if Hettie would Be there
to meet him, as of old, his tired heart
would be at rest. On till, at last before
the gate of this same cottage tho car
riage drew up.
knew the face that looked 80 eager
ly into the garden, and over the hedge
hoping and fearing. alas, he knew not
what. Imet him at the door and led
him to the room where the last fare
we'll was spoken. There, in its place,
by the window, was the low chair, with
its impressed cushion, the little. work.
box on the stand, just as she had left i:
but where was Hettie?
Ah! I wept for the proud man whom
once in my anger I had cursed; and l
strove to speak to him as she would
have spoken. Ilaid the open picture in
his hand, and told him with her last
breath she blessed him, and then l
pointed to the grave beneath the old
oak tree, and told him she was sleep
ing there, where first he heard her voice.
He left .ne, and hours after, thought
I heard mournful sounds come from that
spot, but it might have been the wind
sweeping through the old willow, for he
came back looking peaceful and calm.
1t may be that her viewlcss spirit
was there to meet him after that LONG
separation that she soothed him with
her angel presence, and told him Of the
meeting that would be theirs across the
river that looked 80 dark to him at
first.
can hardly guess what passed at
that time, but sure it is he came back
a changed man; and though the bitter
thought will at times haunt me that but
for him nv life had been less desolatA