Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1865-03-30

bridegroom you Will be, how fair anC
bonny our sweet Anna"
% But you will not forsake us utter
ly, if let you off on your own terms 2
said Donald. ....
".Oh, no." I said lightly, releasing
my hands from his. "When you have
taken each other for richer or poorer:
l shall stay my weary feet often at a
friends. door--so it please you and
Anna"
Thus we parted. He went over the
river to the bayfield,, | returned slowly
up the broad path to the house. !
could watch him from my chamber
window, and through binding tears,
asked myself if Anna could love him
as | did-if she could make his entire
happiness?
The train that would take me home
that day would leave in short time /;
so l locked my trunks, put on my trav-
elling-hat and dress, and went down
into the cool spring-room, to find Mrs.
Pattison, with whom had lived while
my brother and sister were abroad
"And so you must go?" said good
Mrs. Pattison, when | at last found
her, putting the last finishing touches
on her rolls Of golden butter, "and |
must lose you would love to keep
you always, darling. You almost fill
Susie's place. a.
Here she glanced up to the sweet
portrait of Susie Pattison, who, but a
year previous, had gone from below
cd home to Heavenly mansions. We
had come into the parlor now | sat
on low seat beside her.
II suppose it is all right-all for
the best" she continued. ~ have
been watching you and Donald in the
garden, Margaret, and | can't make it
right that you are to be separated.
Donald told me everything last night,
Dear boy God bless both you and
him. You are rery noble, very gener-
ous-I love you for it all, dear child,
and may God have. you in His most
holy keeping, and make you able and
glad to do His blessed will"
just then the railway carriage came
to the door.
Nov good-by, dearest, best Mrs.
Pattison," said rising, i shall live
on the memories OF this summer in Ar
cadia till see you again next year.
BE my dear, good auntie till then. /
shall have confused rccollections of
Strawberries and cream, buttercups
and daisies, clover fields and forest
hs oh nd tow
lakes-enough in such plcasa=: men,
ores to keep me amiable and good
till see you again. have innumer-
able good-byes, for you to distribute
as You will.'
The day was gone twilight had
succeeded a pink and golden sunset,
as the train stopped at Pembroke, my
home. rose to meet John at the car
door, his face fairly radiant.
MARY and the BARNS are waiting"
he said, and moment later | was in
Mary's arms.
"When you have paid your respects
| to the matron, come and kiss me" said
John, dryly. ..-.H
did this, nothing 10th. ..
Later, in my own room, with only
familiar objects about me, thought
| have a precious home--love and
friendship 1 possess-let me be CRATE
full, and forget to repine at any of
Gods dealings.
What happened in Brimfeld 2"
said my good brother-in-law, John
Hastings, a few weeks later. "Did you
imbibe too freely of the mountain nee
tar? Did you see ghosts on the little
men in green? Or worse, Maggie,
did you spend long summer evenings
with village gallants, talking senti-
mcnt and nonsense on the banks of the
river Heir? Positively, if You don't
get back the roses into your checks,
and revive some of your old girlish
fashions, | shall make VOW with Ma
ry never to go roaming again to re-
main at home and keep strict watch
and guard over you. Heed my warn
ing, young lady" he said, as he left
the room.
A moment later, he came back with
my hat and mantle. He tied the rib
bons of my hat, fastened my mantle,
then took me down the walk, to the
carriage that stood waiting.
"You are to ride with me to-day,
and often" he said cover the hills
and far away till there is a whole
garden of roses and lilies in your
face"
The years since have not passed
drearily. They could not well, in this
happy home, where those best loved
dwell. Every year, until the last, |
have spent some time in Brimtield,
with Mrs. Pattison, and in Donald's
and Annals home.
Last year Anna died. Since then
have received no token, save brief
note, written by Donald soon after
that event, in which he says -
"MARGAREr -
"You congratulated me years ago
when | said-'I shall marry Anna
West Now weep with me, my friend
for death has entered my home and til
ken Anna. She is at rest forever with
TIC ICuttfuCu uilu SdUClIIltu.
.Es..... DONALD"
| will not say that do not now and
then think of what may possibly be
Some day, Donald may seek me. We
may in the coming years walk in the
same path. But whatever of good ol
, i'll betide, am resolved to perform ev
cry duty, every good work, so well
: and with SO true will, that shal
have little time to think Of what may
, nerer Be.
LATER.
Four weeks ago laid aside my per
at the above words" never be
Margaret, my namesake, came look
ing into my room.
What now, darling 2" l said. Did
mother send yOu?"