The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-06
G9s STORY Teller.
From the American Union.
A LOVE STORY
BY ESTHER S. KENNETH.

We needs must love the highest when we see IT,
Hys Of ths King
Good bye, Josie. | shall wait for YOU
Goodbye, Mr.. Clyde'
She laughed, and reached up to kiss me
the pretty, fourteen-year old child.
was gone over year. When returned
Josie was nearly sixteen, but still child
She went to school, wore her hair in short
clusters about her face, and played with
grace-hoops. But she was maturing rapidly
The color had grown to come and go on hei
cheeks, and she showed pretty dignity a
times.
We were alone in the garden one day, ant
| was tempted to try my power. Sfe hat
dropped her roses, and was kneeling on the
grass at my feet while she gathered them up
Josie, look up here / said.
Holding her flowers in one hand, she
reached the other up to me. l lifted her "a
her feet, and, still holding her hand. looked
down into her eyes-her beautiful, bronze
brown eyes-raised inquiringly. A moment
passed her bright, surprised glance did moi
understand, Had she been older, my gaze
would have held her like spell but the
depths of her heart were still water. They
had never been troubled, and she needed nc
Savior to say, Peace be STILL
.what is it?' she asked, wonderingly.
Nothing. Your eyes are like your faith
er's. Coz
parted from her to 80 to Europe. Al
the end Of that time / had had travelling
enough. Pacing the deck Of Liverpool
packet, homeward bound, | thought o.
Thorpe and Josie. She was still there, ant
must, by that time, be twenty years old-a
fine age. had seen lovely women in ny
journsyins. but had kept my heart for 10
sic. What had she become?
did not know her when wc first met, she
had changed so much. She was taller round
er, graver. Her cheek had lost its dimplcs
her eye its shyness, her manner its freshness
She was beautiful as n young queen, and Al
stately. She was peerless in her grace ant
dignity. She was perfect woman to al
outward appearance, but she lived the same
life that did the rest. She danced, sang,vis
tied. She was always surrounded by throns
Of young, fashionable people, and was con
stantly the centre of whirl Of excitement
was disappOinted-bitterly Disappointed
had built high hopes on her consiitutona
promises Of truth and purity, and the!
seemed suddenly dashed to the earth at sigh
of her.
tried to excuse her at first. thought
how charming the scenes of fashionable lif'
were to one who was not aware OF their hol
lowness. She had fine tastes and luxurian
iancies, and all her surroundings combined
to indulge them, and satisfy her with sens
uous life. But such pleasures will pail a
last--they are only surface swcetness-an'
true heart will become weared and thirst,
for cooler, purer drafts in time. Two seasons
she had been fed upon them. Had not hc
tastes become perverted and turned wrong
so that she would never desire the food thu
makes true life? 1t seemed SO. Nigh
after night she iloated into the parlor in he
cloud.like ball.robes, her ivory shoulder
bare, gold and jewels flashing on her roun,
arms and snowy throat, and in few mo
ments would be whirled from my sight Il
scenes of festivity. And thesc were the eve
pings had hoped to spend with her. Th'
thought was very sad.
had been at home three months, when
one stormy day, sat alone in the library
was reading Tennyson. The book slippct
from my fingers at last, and fell to the floor
had become absorbed in revcry. Sudden
ly the door was pushed open. josie cam,
softly in from the hall. She paused mo
ment at seeing me, but when sprung NJ
and wheeled forward chair. she shook hel
head.
NO, do not intend to stay. I onl,
strolled in here to 6nd some amusement sh'
said, carelesly.