The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-12-18
The First Love and the Last

| Iti an old story I am about to tell
that story which, thank Heavenl people
lneyer tire of listening to, any more than
I we do Of seeing the buds swell and the
leaves unfolding, and the world made
young again by the coming of spring
1.-THE story to which, as we listen, our own
youth comes back, and once more the
ffowefs bloom, and the skies are blue, ,and
our hearts are beating joyously, and it is
May. e
j am not young now, neither is the day
on which | am soberly writing this little
lrecord of long past period a balmy one
tof spring, or anything like it; and yet
May comes freshly back to me as recall
THAT day of which l am going to speak.
/ A lark was singing far up in the dark
blue sky, a few sheep were pasturing in
1.-THE green distance, and tall figure dress
led in gray, with gun on his arm. and one
|or two dogs frisking around it, was COM
ling leisurely along the sea wall. I had
been fully intent but the minute before
upon the sketch of an old boat was ma
king. but now I felt but the beating of
my heart, and saw nothing but Mark
Sutherland coming leisurely along the
sea wall, with his dogs playing around
him.
The little picture was never finished,
| for at the instant that became conscious
of the advancing figure l dropped my
brush, and hopelessly ruined my distance
by great smear of Vandyke brown. 1t
was never fnished--no; but | have it yet,
and I mean it shall be laid beside me in
my coffin.
He was long way off when I first saw
him, and yet it seemed almost the next
instant that he was standing beside me
speaking. My heart had not left off beat
ing, and / could feel the color hot in my
face as / looked up; but my fiery little
terrier took exception to his dogs. and
flew at them with tumultuous disapproval,
taking his attention off me for the mo-
ment When this little fracas was quiz
eted, be put his gun on the bank, made
his retrievers lie beside it, and sat down
himself by me.
"Have you had good SPORT" asked
by way of saying something anything,
mo, he answered; "but I don't com
prehend I didn't expect any. I came
out here because | thought I should see
you, and | wanted to tell you piece of
news and ask you question. "
"News is precious commodity indeed
in these wilds;' but please remember nay
Scotch blood, in expecting an answer to
the question"
He did not seem to be attending to
what / said. He chad taken up one of
my sable brushes, and was absently play
ing with it, but threw it down the next
minute, and said softly:
chester, | have got an appointment
that have been trying for, and / shall
leave for India next month-that's my
news.
My heart, which had been beating so
wildly, seemed to stand suddenly still,
and drop--down-down. The water and
the marsh rocked, blended hazily into
each other and the sky; and then voice
that sounded dim and far off, but was my
own, too, said:
"It is good news, I suppose"
"Good newsl Well, yes, hope so.'
lie stopped minute here. His voice
was avery deep one, for he was large,
broad-chested man; but when he spoke
again it had soft undertone in it that
used to ring in my ears aeterward-it
does now.
81 thought it good news this morning,
for without it l could not think Of q
wife. That troubled me lit:le enough till
Ilately-till, ah! till l knew you, Hester
My dear, ] think you have guessed my
Question"
Guessed it! All, yes. But my face
was down upon my hands; he could moi
hear the cry that was sitting in my heart
and ne went on, gently, piteously-
"But | shall not get an answer to il
so. Will you go with me to India?"
! I did not answer-I could not. All
those who have had deliberation to Kill
their own happiness, to raise up them
lselves the barrier that shuts them ou
from hope, and love, and life, will know
how hard it is--will pity me.
aWill you be my wife, and go with MT
to India?"
II cannot" Aud no wonder that h'
made aisudden movement of ofssurprise, fo
II myself wondered to hear the hoarss
passion of my own voice.
"You cannot! What fool | hav,
been thenl ] hoped-I hoped-Hester
| Is it impossible that you have not known
what have been thinking of all thi
while?p
Knowing what he had been thinking
All! the life and light and joy of thos
moments when l had dared to hope tha
III did. Ali the anguish Of feeling nov
that they had been in vainl
"Look at me, Hester; | don't think
understand-you, my DEAR" he said pa
tiently and gently. "You say you canno
be my wife, and yet--tell me you canno
love me, and l am answered at once"
| He put his arm over my shoulder as
leaned forward, with my face buried il
my lap, and whispered.
II think you don't love me, Hester.
a"Oh, | do. Mark, / doP' cried, liftin,
my head; "but cannot marry you;
shall have to give you up.
"Giye me up, my dear love!' and h
. held me closer.
II cannot go to India.
"Why notg' and he looked half amaz
led half amused