The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-05-24

prehend that Agnes was something more
than "little girl" He felt that he ought
to dismount, but contented himself with
lifting his hat respectfully, as she looked
up to say THANK YOU" with lips and
cheeks blossomed into sudden brilliant
beauty; he touched the glossy jennet and
rode away, leaving the girls heart running
over with its sudden great joy.
| A wild wind was blowing through
White Pine Woods. The pines tossed
their long boughs, and they clashed to-
gether with a tumult, while the cones and
dried needles fell profusely upon the
crusted snow. Yet the sun was shining
brightly. 1t was one of the wild, fright
ful days of March five years from the day
upon which Agnes Dale had gathered
crocus, and hoped for the privilege of an
education.
She was in the woods again, and How.
ard Mant was with her.
All, how beautiful she had grown! The
white forehead was winter, the golden
hair more golden, the lips and cheeks of
richer bloom than they had been five
years before. Agnes Dale had blossomed
into type of the fairest womanhood.
Howard Mant was holding her white
hand, and talking earnestly.
81 love you, Agnes. know you know
little of life, and have seen but few other
men, but know how love goes in life,
and | wish you could trust my experience.
No one can love you more truly than ]
do. Yet what is the use of my talking?
You ,oiR CO. You will see and hear and
Judge for yourself-and God keep you
safe from harm, my lily"
"Yes, / want to go to the city" Agnes
Dale said "I do not doubt yeur love, but
! doubt myself, and am almost certain
that could never be ccntent to spend my
life here"
Here my home is. If you loved me,
here you would be content to stay,
Howerd Mant said, sadly.
"Perhaps so. So it seems as if did
not love you; but cannot be sure. You
have made my life pleasant for five years,
but you know, Howard" with fitting
blush, "that | have had no lover but
yourself, and it seems sometimes"
"fou are troubled by visions of your
girlhood's IDEAL" Mant said, smiling a.
little bitterly. ts
81 know you say it is that. But that
| is not all. I want more in my life than
domestic comfort. See here"
She drew from her pocket a letter.
| Howard Mant read it as she waited, look
ing absently at the distant mountains. It
was as follows:
| NEW YoRK Mar. /.
NJ DEAR YoUNG LADY: Your pack
age Of manuscript has been received and
examined. We find in your story ex-
traordinary literary ability, and your po-
ems heve the true poetical ring. Be as
sured that you have not missed your vo-
cation; with practice in construction, a
suitable field of observation, and a GER
tain amount Of experience in life, you
might soon coma to rank among eur best
contributors. It has seldom been our for
tune to encourage so promising novice
/ in literature. We enclose check, etc.,
etc. Yours very truly,
i HALL & INGALLS,,
Publishers of the Oceanic Magazine.
/ Maut folded the letter in silence.
$50 it is fame and court?" he said.
Tho girls cheek Redeemed at his tone
..I do not wish to bury my talents in |
napkin" she answered. sit would bring
me great deal of pleasure to becom,
, known and admired, acknowledge. No
only that; I think it is my duty to cult
vate my capabilities to their utmost pos
sibilities.
''Dear Agnes, you can do that as m,
wife"
aBut do not want to be your wife now
! at all events. Ny aunt has offered me
home with her in New York. I wis
2 most earnestly to take advantage of thu
: offer, and thus satisfy myself in regard
my mission. I must be sure that | pre-
> fer you to any other man, and desire
: above all things, to be your wife, before
!. can marry you. Meanwhile, let me g
my way"
As she spoke, she stopped and pickle
: up yellow crocus.
II will keep this she said. 81 haS
: another, gathered here five years age
! when l was so hungry for knowledge
This will wither soon, but / shall keepit
8 and if / ever come back, preferring you
love to the love of the world, you sha
J, give me another, which would then b
II Shefastened the little golden flower {
!. the belt of her dark dress, Maut obsery
:, ling her, gravely.
e. She looked up into his face, suddenl,
!. then put her hand caressingly upon h
'e shoulder She had seen In his eyes tt
Q deep pain which he was silently enduring
ssDo not blame me, Howard. "
: 's "I do not blame you, my darling" /
- answered.
le sYou would not have me marry 20
y y unless preferred your love to any thin
8 else in the world?"
2 sNo."
1T .NowI do not I can hardly tell VIII
u ? but an outside power seems to be drawn
4 me irresistably from you"
Il $50, and may God keep you, then. =
% And soon they were parted. Howal
Mant remained quietly upon the esta
"a which demanded his attention. and Agn
=. Dale went to seek her fortunes in the ci
Ct of New York.
: Five years later. Again the pine WOO
Al