Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-07-18

our New England ponds. And still there
was the love-light in her eye-bright and
undimned as ever. II was the evidence
Of her hope and trust in God and in her
soldicr-in God, that he would restore
him, and himself, that nothing in life
could scperate his heart from her own.
The pealing notes Of the cannon had
announced the glad news Of the peace Of
1915. Every where, bells sounded up
on the ear, borne through the clear March
air. Everywhere, triumphant shouts
were arising from assembled multitudes.
A letter from Austln's faithful com
rade told Agnes when to expect her low
er. Again he asked what, to h i'm seem
a fearful question.--if her love could sur
vive personal deformi,y and distortion.
"And what answer did you make?" |
asked smilingly.
81 wrote Austin that if enough Of his
frame was left to hold his soul, | would
marry him!" she answered., her eyes
glistcning with love and pride.
We had to waite many tedious days
Agnes wished to go home, to be with
the parents of her lover; or at least, she
felt it her duty: but they refused to have
her come thinking she had better stay to
accompany him home, whenever he should
/, arrive SO she waited.
One day heard in my morning round
of visits, that the wounded soldiers had
arrived in Boston harbor. A few mo.
ments after, ! was upon the wharf, send
ing hasty note to Mary. had deter
mined, long before, that Austin should
come to my house, and unknown to Ag-
mes, had made all my preparations, in
meet their son there. Mary had so long
ed to cary out this little romance, that
could not disappoint her; and moreover,
i wanted to be with Austin and satisfy
, myself of the nature of his injuries
, which he had but imperfectly reported
through his comrades letters
All! was ! not sick and faint when
entered that vessel | was glad indeed t.
escape from it, with two stout sailor
bearing my poor wounded friend.
found the easiest of coaches, into whicl
| entered and received the exhausted
frame in my arms. 1t was indeed 6
wreck
''Look, Doctor" said the poor fellow
family as he held up the armless slew,
that dangled loosely from his shoulder
"And see here" he added, IN mournfully
II can never walk with Agnes again.
am a pretty lover for that sweet girl
Doctor, am l not?" And he tried t,
smile, as he pointed to his knee, from
juct below which his leg had been server
ed.
We were slowly approaching the house
and | only replied to him in monosylla
bles, lest he should lose his self control il
l spoke to him of Agnes, or talked ten.
derby to him of his sufferings, | saw
that he was already flushing and palling.
alternately. and absolutely dreaded the
meeting, lest one or both of the sensitive
8 and finely organized beings should suffer
beyond any mere earthly healing.
AS the coach passed the drawing groom
windows, saw Agnes standing up very
pale and rigid, and Mary near her, appa
rently trying to infuSe some of her owl
strength into her. The sailors were neal
when the coach door opened, and while
they were lifting him out as tenderly as
oman handles and infant, l ran into
the house.
Courage, dear woman' said; "it. -
battered frame but it holds noble soul il
1t was just what wanted to do-tC
make Agnes cry. a burst of tears re
lieved her, and she awaited patiently the
mems entcrance with their precious bur
den Then she went up to the couch where
they laid him, and regardless whose eyes
were upon her, she kissed the still white
brow. and parted the long, wavy hail
3 caressingly above it.
Austin could not trust himselfto speak
but he wcpt like child. Mary and
,, left them together. Too sacred are such
scenes for even the dearest friends to wit
ness,
Were they married do you ask? Ger.
tainly. Do you think that Agnes Dale
could be false to that noble heart? True
he generously released her but she
would not hear of it; and when the ole
father and mother came up, they witness
ed the wedding with a great, calm Joy a
their hearts, that nothing else could have
impaired.
About one year after their maria ge,
; letter with broad seal arrived from Eng
land, declaring Agnes Dale to be possess
ed of large amount of property, invested
in stock Of the Bank Of England. The
whole family repaired to that country, anl
| have never seen them again. Austil
and his sweet wife still live-and moderr
science supplied his deficiency of limbs
with very tolerable substitutes, as learr
from their letters.