The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-04-30
COL. DEM. ---V0L. XXXIII. mo. IT,

feel pique at my desertion, but many
another girl would have broken her
heart at such treatment.
had kind father, loving mother,
and luxurious home. 1 did not, and
never had loved Walt Strathmore, and
the thought that was free to love Ge.
rard made my step light, aud my eyes
bright, while joyou sness and light
nsss that ha / never felt before, came
to me. ....
Years passed, and in my home at Ell
ton, many changes had come parents
had gone to brighter and better land,
leaving me very sad and lonely in the
great house. -
devoted my time principally to mu-
sic, loved it so, for remembered how
many hours my loved parents had lis
tened delightedly to my performances,
and also remembered days long since
dead, when Gerard Strathmore had lis
tened to me, often joining in some ex-
quisite melody, his rich clear voice with
my own sadder cadence. / thought of
the zone heart" had hoped to win,
and failed. In all the years had had
no tidings of Gerard, but letter came
from Walt bearing these few words =
My own Ivy-may l still call you
mine? My wife has been dead two
ars, she was high-tempered crea-
ture, and we lived most unhappily, and
served me right for my desertion OF so
fair and sweet fl over as Ivy Wayne,
but l will make amends for all when I
see you. Adieu till then. Walt"
The note was characteristic of the
man, heartless, egotistical, 1 knew that
Walt Strathmore had loved me as we'll
as his shallow nature would allow and
l almost loathed him. 1 could after
this laps of years barely tolerate his
name, and then, only for the sake of
his brother.
returned the note to the address with
these words. 81 never loved you even
in the past, l despise you now too
thoroughly, to ever look upon your
face" 1 had heard but once since of
him: report said he was engaged to an
heiress, far from beautiful in looks or
temper.
l was still at the piano when a visitor
was announced, and Ann tour old SER
vant) ushered in a tall middle-aged
man. l sprang up to welcome him, with
outstretched hands, then, remembering
all, l coldly placed the tips of my fingers
in his palm, and said, ,"you are welcome
Mr.. Strathmore, to my home, ,once more.
Alas! there have been many changes
since last beheld you, but those whose
voices werewont to greet you are hushed
in silence. l am alone, alone"
My voice broke from its steady calm.
ness and before I knew it, my head was
pillowed on Gerald's breast.
"Not alone, darling! if may comfort
you. Oh Ivy,ho madly have loved
you all these years. Even when the
promised bride of my brother, ] loved
and fought against that love as sinful"
"Do you remember the time l asked
you IF you loved my brother as wo-
man should love the man she intended
to marry and your reply it was a
death blow to my hopes; 1 dared not
wrong you and him by my love. / fear
ed to wrong your gentle heart, and could
not endure the thought of receiving
your pity How you loved him, u said
to myself, and, when that heartless letter
came, ] had not strength to remain and
witness your sufferings, fearful OF be-
traying my cherished secret.
When heard of the death of Waits
wife | thought it would all be right
again between you, but / yearned to
look into your face once more, longed
to clasp your dear hand in mine and
then-well l would seek foreign lands
and try to be happy without you. l
have come darling to find you alone and
unwedded. Can you return this lifelong
devotion? Return it? was not nesting
in his arms, smiling upin his still beauti-
ful face?
81 am DID," l venture to answer.
"Never to me, love-" "And many
fair girls would be happy to bear your
name" Iagain said.
"None fairer,or dearer than your sweet
self" he fondly and tenderly answered,
and so after these years of separation,
with our hearts stiil young, we are to
be one in name, rs we have always been
in heart, and us look into the bright
blue eyes, mot SO merry as in the long
ago they were) and note the loving gaze
of tn sse same bright earnest, orbs, /
smile softly to myself, for the bells that
will ring in the New Year, will be ring
ing in the sweet knowledge of our united
lives, and the blessed truth that ho is
'won at last"