Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1871-05-25

them as carefully and tenderly as il
they were something human"
No, they cannot be hers, either
for she was not here when / found
then Very likely they belong to some
freckled- faced, red haired maiden Just
like Maria Darwin" And with an IN
patient ''pshaw!" he threw them back
into his trunk again.
Day after day Miss Irving met him
with the same provoking GOODNESS
One day she went into the parlor. Dick
followed her. She looked annoyed
but he took no notice of it.
Miss Irving" said he, Il come to
give you an explanation, and if my
story should grow weariness, will you
bear with me and pardon me? Silence
gives consent" said he, as she did not
speak. "Ill commence way back
While was yet in my boyhood, l was
deprived of both my parents in ono
year. My father was stern and proud
but my mother was so gentle and kind,
and loved her dearly, and when she
died felt as if the sunshine had all
gone out of my life. For long time
| refused to be comfcrted, but / was
young, and soon outgrew my grief.
My guardian was generous and indul-
gent. 1 did just as pleased. I went
to college, grew wild, drank and play
ed, won and lost, just like the rest, bnt
at last graduated, came home and fell
in love with a girl who pretended to
be a perflc ct Christian. We were en-
gagged and our marriage was to have
taken place in few weeks. She heard
l was going to lose my fortune, then
she broke the engagement, owning that
it was money she wanted. Then l lost
all faith in Christianity and cursed all
the sex in general My feelings did
not hurt me much after / learned how
Edith heard it, and nearly grew mad
with anguish. She reproached her
mother, and would listen to nothing
she had to say. She wrote a letter to
Maria Darwin, accusing her Of it all 4;
telling her she never wanted to look
on her deceitful face again. Then
Edith suddenly grew willful, and in
sisted on travelling, for she was in
hopes she would meet Dick somewhere.
But two years drifted by, and yet not
once had she seen or heard of him.
Then she returned home, and lived
almost life of secluslon.
One day some one called and asked
for her She went down to see who ii
was, and before she hardly knew il
Dick Brent had her in his arms, and
she was crying like child. Il could
not stay away any longer, darling;
wanted to return, fit was only to look
on your dear face once more. But
you will not send me away from you.
will you p
No. Dick, don't want you to leave
me any more. Oh you do not know
how your long absence has made me
suffer"
81 have suffered too, Edith, and
many time have felt like throwing
myself away, but that little Bible o1
yours stood between me and destruc
tion. At first I read it because it ha6
once been yours; then l read it be.
cause l thought l needed it, and il
gave me new faith, a new hope, and
Il have come out of my troubles,
Maria Darwin make all this distur-
bance ?"
"Yes; she came here and told ma
something, and then they took me
away, and would not tell me what il
was l would have gone to you, but
you were gone, no one knew where"
'Perhaps your parents will object tc
our marriage"
sOh, l know they will say nothing
for they have seen their folly in be
lieving such reports as Miss Darwin
circulated They will be glad now tc
let me have anything L wish, if it will
make me happy"
There was grand wedding soor
after, and Maria Darwin was nearly
frantic because she was not invited
and tells her friends of Mrs. Irving
ingratitude.
Mr.. and Mrs. Brent are very happy
and We are quite sure that no med
ding old maid will ever have powe
to disturb their peace again.
And the little blue Bible is treas
ured up as a sacred memento of tn
past.
"Oh, did you?'
Yes; and l snail not give them bac
until yon promise to give me some
thing in return y
Well, what is it?
yourself"
She looked at him earnestly for
moment. Then a food OF crimso
swept over her brow, and she hid he
face in her hands.
The little trembling hands were 500
clasped in his own, while the blushin
face was bid on his breast.
care you mine, Edith p he asked.
She made him no ansher, but clasI
ed her arms tightly around his neck.
Dick Brent was content.
You do not know how happy 20
have made me. Edith, for | hardl
dared think you could love one ;
weak as l. But have something no
TO live for, something that will NAL
; me good and true. But you have NJ
taken your Bible and handkerchie
Edith"
Il will take my handkerchief, b
|, the Bible / give to you. Promise n
! you will read it."
. "For your sake, Edith, 1 will"
"But do not want you to read
for my sake; 1 want you to read it f