The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-09
from any further communion with Amy
Lincoln for one month. Willyoupromise
me- Arthur?O

| VIII accompany you 10 uncle OOuW1nS.
viii that content you, dear mother?'
And you will go if l am not living
to accompany you. That is well. But
why Go you qualify the first clause of
your promise with after to-day?'o
| must tell Amy the promise have
made, that she may not be made un-
happy. You would not have me do
otherwise, am sure, my dear mother"
Mrs. Fairman was shrewd enough to
see that she had better be satisfied with
the promise as given, and SO, with
querulous voice, she murmured some
thing about being unable to contend with
her son, and turned away.
Before nightfall Mrs. Fairman was
surprisingly improved; and on the
second morning she set out, accompanied
brother, Major Goodwin, in a remote New
England town.
Arthur and Amy had one sweet but
sad interview previous to the journey.
They parted consoled even in prospect
of a few weeks separation by the hope
that when it was ended, they should
part no more. Arthur meant to enlist
his uncle Goodwin in his favor, and he
knew that his mother had great respect
for that good mans opinion. And Amy
had faith in time, and thought no one
could resist Arthur's wishes-surely not
his mother, who loved him.
(She went cheerfully to her daily tasks,
while Arthur, absorbed in his care of his
invalid mother, had little leisure t enjoy
the scenes through which he travelled,
could only think of Amy undisturbed
when night brought him solitude and
silence.
y
The month Of absence passed slowly
away. To all the entreaties Of Arthur
and uncle GodWin-whO was readily en-
listed in his nephew's cause, and who
saw no reason why a beautiful and vir-
tuous girl should be deemed unworthy
to become the daughter-in-law of Mrs.
Fairman, because she was poor and a
milliner-that lady only replied thatshe
could never cOuntenance such low
marriage, but if Arthur persisted, and
the girl was willing on his return, she
would not refuse her consent. With that
they had to be satisfied.
Time advances not for the sorrowful,
nor stands still for the happy. A lovers
impatience, that can conquer impOssi-
bilities, has no influence potent enough
to hasten the leaden-footed hours. But,
at last, moment by moment, hour by
hour, they have passed, and the blissful,
long-hoped for season of union arrives.
So thought Arthur Fairman as on the
wings of love, he fastened toward the
dwelling of Amy Lincoln, on the MORN
ing following his return to the city,
Nothing but the lateness of the hour of
his arrival had prevented him from has
tening to her the previous night. I'M
the dawn, and at the earliest moment
consistent with propriety he was on his
way.
Up the stairs that led to her apart
ments he bounded, two steps at time,
and, Twilight, impatient fingers tapped
at the door. No answer came-nosound
of football within-no chatter of merry
girls, nor Amy's silvery voice in song.
He knocked again-thes same dull silence
followed and his heart fell. He turned
the handle of the lock, and found the
door secured. He looked around, and
saw that Amy's little sign no longer oc-
cupied the center panel, nor the side Of
the stairway.
She had removed, he thought, and he
flew to another door. He knocked, and
this time his summons was answered.
"Miss Lincoln-has she removed?"
he inquired of the woman who opened
the door.
Sure, she's gone away, month ago,
and the beautiful room IS not let yet"
was the answer; and while Arthur,
almost stunned by his disappointment,
was trying to articulate further inquiries,
the woman added: Perhaps the gentle
man would like to look at the rooms. ]
have the key, and fine rooms they are,
and cheap rent"
He let the woman talk on, only bow
ing his head in assent, and followed her
into the empty rooms. There was
chill air Of desolation about them-the
walls and ceilings seemed old and time
stained now that all the pretty things
that Amy had gathered about her, and
the bright fabrics ON which she worked,
and the young fresh faces of her girls,
and above all her sweet countenance,
! were no longer there.
"Of course you can tell me whittier
she has removed, )" Arthur said, glancing
around, and wishing to retreat. No!
Did she not leave her present address:
A note, then, perhaps for me-Mr, Ar
NOthin9.n the woman answered.