The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-06-28

Hdu 1lrteu WlCn. All at once, WlCnOu
a word of explanation on his part
this homage ceased; he became des
perately enamored of another.
Edith was surprised not very pleas
antly, withal, at this change, and il
her desperation, declared she hatet
him. Now, love and hatred are oppo
site extremes but extremes will some
times meet; and, before she knew it
the handsome stranger who had treat
ed her so rudely, occupied her thought.
to a much further extent than sh'
had dreamed he would. Finally, th'
consciousness came to her that sh,
loved him.
One evening, they CHANGED to NEE
amid the pleasures of social party
Blushing crimson as he touched hel
hand in greeting, Edith was possessed
of self-control sufficient to speak cold
ly, though her very heart seemed
bursting He spoke as coolly, passing
quickly on, accompanied by the squire
who, like shadow, was ever at the
side of his guest.
An hour later, she wandered into the
conservatory to breathe the perfume
laden air. She heard voices in excited
yet low-toned conversation in one cor
ner and recognizing one, she paused
to listen. 1t was that of Squire Rath
burn, but she could not distinguish
the words. The answer was clear and
earnest.
"You may talk of vengeance, faith.
er, for her jilting me three years ago,
but tell you that love her"
Are you a fool! !" retorted the
Squire-and Edith heard him now-'a
fool who can learn nothing from ex,
perience? I thought your Continent
al tour had cured you of your boyish
weakness, and that you would try to
make her suffer as you suffered when
you went away. Does not your Rath.
burn pride rise in rebellion against
another capitulation and refusal?''
81 think she now returns my love" !"
said the young man, quietly.
ooh! she does, does she? ?" returned
the squire, still more angrily. "She
loves you now, the vixen! She who
sent you off to Italy to die, and would
have darced upon your grave if her
atrocious actions could have killed
you! And she firts to oday. with the
same utter recklessness of the pain
she causes others, as when you were
ensnared before. And she would be
a coquet.e after you had married her
Il know it-.just the same. How can
you, Charley p
Tremblingly, Edith listened for the
answer, which came at last, with pow.
er to send the Iife-blood back upon
her heart and brain in scorching tides
of fire. The words were simply these:
Father, I see the force of your warn
ing, and must yield the point. A
firt 1 cannot marry, and 1 shall live
and die bachelor.
How she succeeded in escaping
from the conservatory, Edith never
knew but she did escape in some way,
and, pleading illness, begged to be
taken home. And there, for days and
weeks, she tossed and moaned in the
wild delirium of fever. After the fe
yer left her she was weak and helpless,
and a darkened room seemed quite a
matter of course. She marvelled
greatly, though, after she got stronger,
why, not ray of light was ever suf
fered to enter and, at last she asked
her mother.
mo light r' exclaimed her mother,
in suppressed excitement. "No light
why, cannot you see me ?"
GLOW can 1, this is darkness?"
cried Edith.
The groar that burst involuntarily
from that mothers heart told her the
truth. Was it possible that for her
the sun would shine no more forever ?
[ think. she prayed for death.
Squire Rathburn and Charley heard
Of her misfortune speedily. There
was one stormy scene in the old Rath-
burn mansion, but Charley conquered,
and over he went to see Edith. They |
took him to her room, and placed her
hand in his, whispering his name
For one instant her pale features light
ed with a joyous smile, and a faint
pink dyed her cheeks; then she grew
paler than before. They softly left
The room, those who had brought him
.hither.
"Oh, Edith!' he murmurcd, sink
ng on his knees beside the couch of
suffering, 81 love youl Will you let
ne care for you through all the years
If darkness this side of heaven?"
-Edith,s- -ehaaLs grew pink again, and
gain the color faded.
"I am blind" was all she said.
II know. it, darling; but I do not
are for that, only for your sake.
will be eyes for both"
"But am a firt Dare you ven
ure to marry me?"
"Neither do I care for that ?" he
aid. Il love you'll lay my heart
nee more before you; trample it
gain, if you will, I cannot help it."
OF course, she did not. OF course,
edith yielded to his impo1 tunity and
s soon as the roses returned to her
heeks once more, they were married.
The regally beautiful woman who now
resides over the happy household
aansion is Edith; but her eyes are
ightless no longer. She has regained
er vision, and sees her husband and
hildren before her. And he has nev- {
r had cause to sorrow that she was !
nee firt.
oseph Gales, Father and Son.