Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1870-12-22

keep up, IalnL nearu, Tue Cross IL
not too heavy to bear; and remem
Der there is one who can ease your
burdens, no matter how heavy they
are-how weary you may be.
My hopes, my dreams, were al
length about to be realized-we
again met, Aggie and I.
The stately mansion at Thornton
Place was always ablaze with light.
1t was the eve of a grand reception,
and the elite of the city were to be
present. Through the medium Of
my success had gained admission
into society, which had for long
time petted and caressed me, and
thus you find me, on this eventful
night, where could be seen youth
and beauty in their different phases.
But the glare and glitter Of all sur
rounding held no charms for me for
1 longed to see Aggie. But I could
not help experiencing a chill at my
heart when 1 thought of her as the
mistress of this proud mansion, the
possessor of this wealth and grand
eur.
At last my dearest wish was graf
flied. l was introduced to her, not
as the friend and companion of other
days, but merely as the poet and
author, Mr.. Desmond. She did not
recognize me, although she did at
first start at the name, which had
once been so familiar to her. l was
not prepared for the change in her.
"Can this" 1 asked myself, "be
the Aggie Of my childhood-this
frail, delicate creature"
Yes, there was the sunny waves of
golden hair, the blue eyes and rose
bud mouth, but what change, what
contrast between then and now
She was attired in simple, flowing
robes of white, that fell about her
graceful form like a mist. Roses
were in her hand and on her bosom.
Altogether there was something in
expressible, something dreamy,
something ethereal about her, which
would have puzzled and bewildered
the most casual observer. How her
voice thrilled me! 1t was like the
echo of some olden refrain which l
had forgotten. She talked with great
earnestness on literary topics, and
listened to her like one entranced.
1 could not but admire the sense of
all she said, for it was entirely de-
void of that silly affectation which
so abhorred and detested.
l could wear my masks no longer.
I signified that I wished to see her
alone, as 1 had something Of import
ance to communicate to her. She
smiled grac usly, and allowed me
to lead her into the conservatory.
Rare exotics and beautiful plants
met our view. The song Of birds
met our ears, and the music from
the parlors stole fitfully in and out
all sufficient to give the impress
sion that we were in fairyland. We
were alone. Icould not resist the
temptation, and 1 instantly seized
both her hands, and bending over
her / said:
"Aggie, have you forgotten me?
Do you not remember the playmate
of your childhood?"
A flush came and went upon her
hitherto pale cheek; a wondering
light stole into her eyes, and hap
py, joyous smile wreathed her lips.
Robbie, is it you?" she cried.
"Yes," I answered, "Aggie, it is
the same Robert Desmond you part
ed from SO long ago."
How can 1 describe to you the
joy l felt at that moment so fraught
with bliss to me? We talked about
the years that had flown, told to
each other our respective histories
dating from our parting under the
willows so long ago.
1 listened to Aggie's recital with
breathless interest. Her uncle had
been to her as loving and tender as
a father could have been-her every
wish and whim had been gratified,
and her uncle had spared no pains
to render the life of the orphan hap
py and peaceful, and thus it had
proved. But the generous and good
man had died, leaving her in posses
sion of all his wealth.
" l never forgot you, Robbie" she
said, ''nor the happy hours we had
spent together, and l have wept oft
en- over the little ring you gave me
at parting" She paused for a mo-
ment, but continued with great fer
vor, "You have made a good name
for yourself, Robert-you have
reaped honor and fame, and no one
can be more proud of your success
than l am"
She ended with flushed cheeks and
fearful eyes.
"Aggie," 1 said, twill you believe
me when 1 say that l won all for you
and you alone? That it was re-
membrance of you which has made
me what ! am?
She started and blushed.
"Aggie," 1 continued, 81 have
come for the promise which you
made me long years ago. Would
you be contented to leave the world
of gaiety and pleasure in which you
dwell, to live in a home that cannot
give you all this? Forgive me for
being SO hasty in my proposition,
but my great love for you prompted
it. ] forgot that you were far above