Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-09-23
cribable pathos he threw into the lines
1.-THE history of two lives,
That met-and parted"

I
| That met-and parted"
"Then he looked at me, and [ began
to see how foolish I had been, and that
this man loved me. Then he told me, in
his quiet way, that he loved me, and
would try to make me happy. What
could I say was not sensible Of the
great honor he did me, and I refused him.
There was an indescribable tenderness
in her way of speaking which touched
Jenney's heart, and she ceased to dash
her hand in the water over the boats side.
Il refused him, she repeated. 81 can
never forget what he said to me at part
ing-'Cora, you are young, and the world
is all before you. From this you go out
into the great world, which lies beyond
you. Yet the time will come when you
will seek the reposs and comfort ola
loving heart. The time will come to you as
it has come to others, when you will sicken
Of the unrealities in which you now find
you. pleasure. I have faith enough in
you to believe that you will pass safe
through the ordeal which all must endure
who go through the pass you have chosen
not utterly unscathed. These things
leave their imprint upon heart and brain.
You will learn, in trying hour, that all
this is not enough to fill the yearning of
an unsatisfed heart And when the
time comes to you, as it must, remember
what say"
"That was grand" said Jenny. ''What
little goose you must have felt"
" If he had pressed the question, then
[ think l should have changed my mind.
But he did not, and the next ship which
sailed for China took him among the pas
sengers. I have heard of him since, once
or twice. He has been in China, in ia
pan, in many countries, writing books of
travel and the like, and not SO much as
sending me word if he is alive OR dead.
I only hear of him through his books
"How long is that ago, dear?'
SIX years. 1t is long time to live
on feeling that you have committed a ter
rible mistake. No one knows this better
than | do. No one can feel deeper DESC
lation. That is the reason you see me
twenty-seven years old and unmarried.
You know that I might be married if |
liked"
''Why don't you?''
II am waiting for him."
"Do you think he will come back ?
Of course not. He is like the rest of them.
He is greater man than he was then,
and probably has forgotten all about it.
Jenny"
"Oh! it is your fault. Why did you
not marry him if you liked him instead Of
moping yourself to death, and sending
him away, heaven knows where. | like
to have people show little of that rare
article, common sense. Why don't you
send for him, then p
"Could [ do that?'
"You could if you liked. What does
it matter. He is a man of talent, who has
made his way in the world, and is courted
and caressed. He may have his pick of
the best and you threw his love away. Do
you deserve any PITY"
Il did not know you could be pitlless,
Jenny. Don't speak to me in that way
1 am low enough without that"
II didn't it think was in me to be so
spiteful," said Jenny. "But it makes me
angry, when I see one who ought to know
better, throwing her happiness away. If
he came back would you marry him|
"If he would ask me; yes
"He is older"
~ am older, too"
"He has been through many varied ad-
ventures. He may have been Scared or
deformed."
DO | care for that, Jenny. I anu
hungry for his love- l have lived upon
his words SO long and | always thought he
would come back to me some day. All"
The scream was echoed by Jenny, and
they started mp in the boat. What was it
that drove the color from the cheeks of
both. A terrible doom hung over them.
Lying there uuthinkingly in the sun
shine, they had forgotten that any other
craft were on the lake. A steamer on her
way into port, had come upon them be-
fore either was aware. Those Oh the
steamer had seen the skif, but thinking
that the occupants would get out Of their
course, had paid no heed, but came
straight forward The captain had gone
down to get glass, and the wheelman,
for moment, had turned his head to
speak to some one. When he looked again
the skiff was under her forefoot. A gen
tleman who stood upon the hurricane
deck, shouted and sprang forward at the
moment when the shock was coming.
Cora put out her hands, and cried out his
name" Ralph, Ralph" He heard the
cry, and then
| Crash
Two broken fragments of a boat were
floating toward the stern, and the girls
in the eddy formed by the wheel.
''Back her." shouted Ralph Waters,
shaking his fist at the helmsman. Then
he was in the water before the order was
fairly out of his mouth, and seized the
drowning girls. The wheels revolved,
and the great bulk of the steamer foated
backward, leaving them upon the calm
bosom of the lake. Just then the water
parted to receive another form, and a
sailor was beside him.
s'Give me one" he said.
Ralph Waters let him take Jenny, while
he looked down into the pale face lying on
his arm.
care you ready for me?'' he said.
'Have | proved my words true r
eyes, Ralph" she said. And then
there came in both hearts feeling OF
peace and rest which they had not known
for years. They were picked up directly.