The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-05-24

MY fafher IS OF the nrm OF .bcOOks q
I Irving, No. 27 Walnut street; per,
haps you remember, said Edith.
4 of 'cotire I do. How stupid in m'
not to think of it before And q
they belong to little Edith, after all
said he that day, a few hours later, a
/ he sat in his room. swell, suppose
! must return themfs 4'-' 5Jf.-5.'
'Miss Edith, srsaid he, entering ths
parlor enoe moro, 4 found your Bibtt
! and handkerchief 1900, .-.'.
| 'Oh, did you
Yes, and I shalt not give then
back until you promise to give ms
something In retnfn4 f--.Ef- '-
We'll, what is it?' +.
I Yourself
She looked at him earnestly for q
moment. Then q food Of crimson
swept over her brow, and she hid hel
face in her hands. a. es.-.r .ss--
The little trembling hands were
soon clasped in his own, while the
blushing face was hid on his breast.
| care you mine, Edith r he asked.
She made him no answer, but clasp
ed her arms tightly around his neck.
Dick Brent was content. >.
You do not know how happy you
have made me, Edith, for I hardly
dared think you could love one rs
weak and wicked as ]. sBat I have
something now TO live for, something
that will make me good and true
But you have not taken your Bible
and Handkerchief, Edith fEs -
4 will take my handkerchief, but
the Bible I will give to you. Promise
me you will read it ,..-.'......e-.
For your sake, Edith, I viii. -
But I do not want you to- read it
for my sake; Iwaht you to read it
for your own r ~-r --...., f.
well, then, for my ewn:' . -
Have you read that book I gave
you ? asked Dick one day. 9H -. n.
yes, hnt have you read my book?'
Il know that you will not believe
me, but I have read chapter every
night .o, ,....
tell you, Dick, I received letter from
father this morning, and I must 60
home next week ..
L declare, it is too bad, for we are
so happy here said Dick. -
But just think, Disk, this. is Sep
tember. It is time was at home
We'll, I had almost forgotten how
late it is. I never knew a summer to
pass SO quickly. Of course / will
leave when you do
Another week few by, and found
our lovers back in their own homes
Edith's parents was very much pleased
with their intended son-in-law, and
all things went on swimmingly for a
time.
At last Maria Darwin heard of
their engagement Now she was an
cry because Dick had so ungallantly
deserted her last summer, so she de.
termined to give him trouble if she
could. She called on Mrs. Irving,
was eloseted with her about an hour,
then she came out with a face trium-
phant. A few hours later Dick re.
ceived a note from Mrs. Irving, re-
questing him not 10 call again. !:
Of course, it was the first thing he
did; but was refused admittanee.-
Then he wrote Edith a note, but re-
ceived no answer -
Miss Edith has :gcne South !; arn't
yon sorry?' said Maria Darwin one
day, when she met Dick on the street.
, He knew then that she was at the
bottom of it all, but said nothing. He
tried to ruin himself after that, plung-
ing into every kind of wickedness that
was at hand. At last he disappeared,
no one knew where. Edith heard it,
and nearly grew mad with anguish
She reproached her mother, and would
listen to nothing she had to say. She
wrote letter to Maria Darwin, &C.
cusing her of it all telling her she
never wanted to look on her deceitfui
face again. Then Edith suddenly
grew wilhul, andinsisted on travelling,
for she vas in hopes she would meet
Dick somewhere. But two years drift
ed by, and yet not once had she seen
or heard of him. Then she returned
home, and lived almost lite of Sc
clusion.
One day some one called and asked
for her. She went down to see who it
was, and before she hardly knew it,
Dick Brent had her in his arms, and
she was crying like child. L could
not stay away any longer, darling; I
to return, If 1t was only to
look on your dear face once more
But you will not send me away from
you, will you ~
mo. Dick, / do,.'t want you to leave
ne any more Oh you do not know
how your long absence has made me
suffer-
4 have suffered 10, Edith, and many
) time I have felt like throwing my
,elf away, but that little Bible of
yours stood between .me and destruc.
bon. At first I read it because it had
once been yours then 1 read it be- !
,ause I thought neede,l it and it gave |
ne a new faith, new hope, and
rave come out of my troubles, |
;hink, better man. Edith, didn't |
Maria Darwin make all this distur-
oance p
tYes, she came here and told ma
and they took me away. |
md did not tell me what it was. I wsuld !
ave gone to you, but you we're gone,
10 one knew whore
Perhaps your parents win object to
,ur marriage
oh, know they will say nothing,
or they have seen their folly in be-
ieving such reports rs Miss Darwin
They will be glad now to
ct me have anything Z wish, IF it will
.,aka me hanDv -