The Lincoln County herald., 1872-11-06

thing l have given in exchange for fame !
For l have bartsred away my health,
crushed cut my youth and new that |
have attained it, after so many years Of
uneeasing toll, it dees not satisfy me l
begin to realize that Frank was right
Never until this msment, did I believe
that fame could not fll woman's heart.
And then THE throbbing and aching at
my heart reminds me that have but
little time before me to enjoy nv
triumph. Ah, Frank, 1 have not proven
you q false prophetr
Time passed on, and every day Cath
crime received many Aattsring notices Of
bsr book. She was soon lionsss 10 the
literary world, and fawnsd upon and
Aattersd by fashionable society. But
she grew utterly weary Of it all, and
lsnged for rest and quiet. A wish 10
visit her childhood's homo began to creep
into her heart. She remembered her
promise to Frank, but would rot acknowl.
edge, even to herself, that . desire to 6ll
that promise had anything to do with her
longing to get back to her old home
agais.
She Rad no relatives there-none 10
the wide world, save her brother with
whom she lived aud his children She
had no correspondence with her old
friends, and knew not but they had for.
gotten her. She felt, however, that she
must visit the graves of her parents, and
wander once more in the paths where she
had wandered when happy chlld, when
the future and fame Looked SO glorious in
the distance.
1t was near the close Of o beautiful
day in September that she arrived in
Corntown, her native village. With
mingled emotions she gazed around her
upon the once familiar objects. Ten
years had made many changs, and yet the
place looked homeliks. She met old
acquaintances, but they did not seem to
recognize, in the wan, faded woman, the
bright active maiden whom they had
known In other years.
Her old home was just beyond the
village, and thither she directed her
footsteps, not knowing whether she would
6ud 1t empty or occupied by strangers.
She turned into the old path which led
through the orchard, and so many re
membranes Of the past rushed to her
mind that she could no longer stay her
heart, and throwing herself down at the
foot of an old apple tree, where she had
played SO many times with the beloved
sisters who now slept quietly little way
beyond, in the churchyard, sho wspt in
chill ldish abandonment,
Directly piteous whining sound
caused her to raise her head, and there
beside her she saw a great shaggy dos
looking upon hor with almost childish
sorrow for her grief.
A cry Of joy burst from her lips, for
} it was Rover, her dog, whom she had
, given to dear friend when she wen,
away. She threw her arms about his
neck and wept again; this time for joy
, at the sight Of an old friend, and the only
one who had known her yet.
Rising soon, she walked with Rover
close beside her, to the house door, anG
knocked for admittance. 1t was opened
by bright,eysd woman, whom Catherine
knew to bs valued schoolmate, Rover,
mistrsss-but she met her as commo,
visitor, as stranger, merely asking he
to enter and Re seated.
"Oh, Fanny" the weary girl cried
shave you, too, forgotten ne? an
Catherine; do you care to SEQ me?'
"Cathsrins-dear, dear Catherine ? l
t it possible ?"
And the two we're clasped in eacl
others arms, weeping and laughip
together.
Fanny was row Mrs Knight, and he
/, husband owned the place that had beel
GATHERINGS home.
) The following day was the Sabbath
D aud Catherine attended church with be
friends. Fanny had told her that Frau
& was still their pastor, and was slmos
? worstippsd by his people.
The sight Of the old church brough
r up 50 many "reminiscences of the past ths
!. she could scarcely restrain her tears, he
Q sobs and with heavy downcast eyes, o.
followed her friends up the aisle, and Int
y the pew that had oses belonged to be
t family.
d Services commenced, and Frank
- VOleo sent etraugo turiil thT0ugn NJ
heart; but she dared not look up. Sh
could not meet his glance, she thought
. but at last she raised her eyes and me
d bis and flashed q swift glance of rsoogui
It ton.
d After services he came to her; teal
}, dimmed the eyes of each as they slaspe
d hands once more. Neither dared tru,
n their voices there in the hearing Of S
many; SO, with only glance and
It haud.clasp, they parted, and she stol
X away alsns to the church yard, aud ssel
ing out the graves Of her loved one
sank down beside them, and ssbbed uu
4 comfortably.
:, An hour passed, and q hand was lai
% lightly upon her shoulder, and she kue
- that Frank stood beside her.
,s He lifted her gently frsm the grcun
r asd supporting the trembling form, gaze
IN sadly down into the pale fearful fac
1t No word as yet passed between them
l. huk nov ha asid in tho nld tandar wov