The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-03-15
OTTER COUNTY, Pa THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1860

z u sast \ r. 81
" Heaven knaws I do, for { caano'
make you happy" ! answered, niournfully.
: Let me go.away where | can never
grieve or trouble you.Iagain | vii, -
indeed, l will, for anything is easier to
bear than this. Oh, Jean, why didtyou
leave me when .yoR went p,--and wltll
that despairing. cry Ethe, stretched hef
arms into the empty air, as ifseeking that
lost friend. #r . s--. r.. r-ts.,
My anger melted, and | tried to soothe
her, saying gently, as | laid her tcar-wet
check to mlnG,- ......E r. ....
My child, death alone must part US
tive. We will be patient with each other
and so may learn to be happy yet.
A long silence fell upon US both. Ny
thoughts were busy with the thought Of
what different home mine might have
been, if Agnes had been tue; aud Efie
tod only knows how sharp a conflict
passed in that yoang heart could not
guess it till the bitter sequel of that hour
came. s
A t;mid hand upou my own aroused
me, ard looking down, met such an al
tered face. it touched mo like mute re-
.proach. All the passion had died cut,
and great patience seemed to have arls
en there. 1t looked so meek and wan, |
bent and kissed it; but no smile answer
cd ne as Efie humbly said, -.f
Forgive me, Sir, and tell me how !
can make you happier For am truly
grateful for all you have done for me, and
will try to be a docle child to you"
" BE happy yourself, Efie, and shall
be content am too grave and old to
be a fit companion for you, dear You
shall have gay faces and young friends to
make this quiet place more cheerful |
should have thought Of that before
Dance, sing, be merry. Etfic. and never
let your life be darkened by Basil Vent
uor's changcful moods" ..........
And you" she whispered, looking
up. L..t ..... .'. p. ...... ....
Il will sit among my books, or seek
alone the few friends care to see, and
never mar your gaycty with my gloomy
presence, dear. We must begin at once
to go our seperate ways; for, with SO many
years oetwecn us, We can never find the
same paths pleasant very long, Let me
be father 10 you, and a friend, Il can
not be lover, child" ..-.- ..e
Effie rose and went silently away; but
soon came again, wrapped in her mantle.
saying, as she looked down at me, with
something of her former cheerfulness,-
{" | am good now. Come and row me
down the river. 1t is too beautiful a
night to be spent in tears and naughti-
ness"
No, Fife, you shall never go TO Mrs.
Yaughan's again, if you dislike her SO
No friendship of thine need be shared by
you, if it gives you pain"
Nothing shall pain me any more, y
>he answered with a patient sigh
Will be your merry girl again, and try to
love Agnes for your sake. All do come,
taHter, or l shall not feel forgiven"
Smiling at her .\pril moods, | Obeyed
The small hands clasped about my own,
and through the fragrant linden walk
went musing to the river, side. .4.
Silently we aoated down, and at the
lower landing place found Alfred Waugh
an Just moorlng his own boat. by him
sent message to his sister, while we
waited for her at the shore. .......
Effe stood above me on the sloping
bank, and as Agnes entered the green
vista Of he fowery path, she turned and
clung to NC with sudden fcrvor, kissed
me passionately, and then stole silently
iuto the boat ..s.. ..... .......
The moonlight turned the waves to sill
ver and in its magic rays the face of my
first love grew young again. She sat be
fore me with water-lilies in her shiuing
hair, singing as she sang of old. while the
dash of falling cars kept time to her low
song. As We neared the ruined bridge,
whose single arch still cast its heavy shad-
ow far across the stream, Agnes bent to-
ward me, softly saying g ~. a.-
Basil, you remember this p .-s..
How could | forgot that happy night,
long years ago, when she aud / went float
ing down the same bright stream, two
happy lovers just betrothed As she
spoke, it all came back more beautiful
than ever, and [ forgot the silebtsfgure
sitting there behind me. | hope Agnes
had forgotten, too; for, cruel as she was
to me, | never wished to think her hard
enough to hate that gentle child. . IS.
81 remember, Agnes" | said, with a
regretful sigh. " My voyage has been a
lonely one since then "a $685. a
Aro you not happy, Basil 2" she ask
ed, with tender pity thrilling her low
voice
Happy p I echoed, bitterly,--"how
can | be happy, remembering what might
have been % ~ ss