Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-08-10
q AIEXANDRIA La SATURDAY., UGUsT 10 1872. -

ries in its place. 1t may not have
seemed mauly to you to transfer my
thoughts and feelings to paper, IN
stead of boldly seeking you and tell
ing of the love bear you, yet, when,
evening after. evening, | found an
other engaging the attention sought,
whose accomplishments and persOnal
appearance but made me feel more
keenly the awkwardness of my man
ner, I could not fummon the courage |
to tell you what was ever uppermost
in my mind. And now the hour for
my departure draws near, and I am
looking for the last time, perhaps for
years, en- the loved objects 20 inter-
woven with the happiest period Of my
life, and feel like gathering them all
in my arms and bearing them away to
share the fortune the unknown future
has in stoIe for me. But / must do
away with these thoughts and look
bravely forward, for you know, Alice,
my old home is heavily mOrtgaged,
and have failed to find sufficient EN-
ployment here to aid me in iiquidating
the debt; 80 must seek other quar-.
tiers and q more liberal income before
it is too late, for it wOuld break poor
mothers heart to leave the hOine she
loves so we'll, where she came a young
and happy bride, where her children
were horn, and where every shrub and
flower speaks OF the love and care of q
hand now cold In death. The orchard
our father planted and little Minnie's
grave in tue corner, where the daisies
bloom and the blue f0rget-me-nOt
nestle in the tall grass. No! it must
not be. When think Of, these pass.
ing into the hands Of strangers, ] feel
that I can endure any privation, labor
night aud day with such Q home for
my reward. If only felt confident Of
yOuf love, Alice, and might cherish the
remembrance of your sweet face and
sunny smile in my absence, all the
dark clouds would be chased away,
and the bright sky OF contentment
smile its benediction on, the. labor Ol
love am performing. But I ani leav-
ing you without one kind word III
adien. or any response to the outpOur-
ing of the tender love feel for sou,
nut by the meulory Of the glad days OF
tile past, Iwish the coming years may
bring yoii nauglit but happiness; And
now, good bye, and God hless y0h, and
remember, when others fail, you will
always find AZ friend in sfs' Aaht2t
4Af ni FRANZ AsHBY.n3
How l had wronged him; the true
tender heart that loved me cen as,l
loved him. Aud he Was gone. and
must bear the pain my pride and. IN
others treachery had hesped upon him
| pressed passionate kisses upon thu
loving words, and folding the letter
put it away, feelina that some day, hs
would know all and face to face VI
should know each others heart.
Alright. That was four years ago. zes
He is at home again. L wonder Il
his heart like mine, unchanged I; or ha'
some new face crept into the niche
occupied, and other scenes aud associa
. tions banished the thoughts of by.gon,
daysi y ibg sui, sg0a ilf 1iasi1
"Alice, child, what has come ovel
you n % te4s baa fast lseifs assA
1t was my mothers voice that ne
called my wandering thoughts and
turned with "a blushing tell-tale fare t,
meet her loving, anxious look.
al was saying she went on. "tha
!, I thought Frank wonld be here thi
evening, as we are among his oldes
friends, though why he never came t
bid us goodbye, is more than | cal
, imagine; unless Henry Werner wa
the cause of it. l hope 1 do not mis-
judge him, but l cannot help tn
! thought intruding whenever think .
the subject. wonder if be has chang
ed much," she continued, evidentl.
meaning Frank 70 s'azTeIs za1
Hs"Icannot imagine he has" I said
looking earnestly out Of the window
: TO avoid her gaze. afao . =
"i used to think, Alice, there va
: something more than mere Friendship
J existing between you and Frank, am
right, daughter Z" ~ ~,
al felt a choking sensation in m
!, throat, and rose to leave the loom
! but m, me,her with a hook of pam o
her wan face, said: ~ oq 3HibEa
: ,sDou't 20, Alice fdid not mean
wound you;n and placing her, thi
hands either side my face, pressed
. tender. loving kiss upon iiy quiver;n
Hips. "You, surely, are not afraid
: trust yonr muffer, Alice p 's
!. ! .No, 1 said. smoothing her solt, gra
\ hair and thiaking the while how 400