New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-19
THE OLD LOVE.
BY EMMA MORTIMER BABsOS.

''It seems so strange to know that shall
not see this Old place by moonlight agail
for long, long years.
The sweet voice Of the speaker was sad
and her brown eyes had "a tender, tearfu
look in them as she raised them to the fac,
of her companion. He did not reply. Hi
clear, bright glance was fixed on the mos
distant OF the far hills, and his handsome
boyish face had a wistfully thoughtful lOol
on it,
What are you thinking Of Justin 7" sale
the young girl, when Lis silence had at
tracted her attention.
II was wondering about the future" he
replied. with a sigh, his gaze WANDERING
nearer home and finally resting on her face
81 am tired of doing that" she answered
earelessly, swinging the little brown gate
by which they stood back and forth with
her hand. IL shan't trouble myself about
what is coming, any more"
''Why?-that sounds oddly coming from
Sour lips Genie"
1t was q pretty countenance the young
man looked into, while the owner Of il
hesitated. Not perfect in outline of feature.
but charming in its expression of intelIi-
gence and sweet gravity. Pale brown hair
put careleesly back from it, lay in golden
waves on her forehead and softly tintsd
cheeks, and was gathered into u coil of
shining braids at the back Of the head.
lit makes me SO sad" she said at last,
her eyes fixed and dreamy. do you know,
Justin, that l think there is some great trial
in store for me by and BY. A dread of
coming i'll always haunts Me when l try to
look forward. 1T is foolish, perhaps, but l
Gan not help it,
Il might call it foolish if | were not bit
superstitious and mystical myself toni GIT"
replied the young man, taking one of her
81 hands and oaressing it absently. "Your
prospects certainly look bright now, Genie,
dear"
IL know It," she replied, leaning her tore
head against his shoulder in familiar,
careless way. my relatives will give me
a good home and all the advantages their
wealth can bring. l know that shall be
che pet OF their old age, and l shall value
all this kindness the more because have
always been deprived of it until now But
&or you, dear, how desolate would have
been my past life"
Ills arm closed impulsively around her,
and he bent forward and kissed her fore
head.
''Do you think you will miss me, Genie o.
You know that | shall" she replied
Il am not so sure of that" he answered,
81 know that L have been everything TO
you, and as you have been and always will
be to me, but can not think that you will
always feel as you now do toward me.
Hush, and listen d moment. 1t will not be
there as it has been here. You will see new
eeople-people who will appreciate and ad-
mre you. New interests will spring I'D, and
IS time passes away the old love stands q |
chance CT being undervalued and forgotten.
Wait-no; l do not think You tickle or nat
arally fergettul OF those whom you have |
loved, but you will grow older and-Vir- |
9inia, do you remember the doll you had |
ak years ago, when first knew you, and !
how yon priced it,
eyes," !
s.Do you remember the pc: dog you owned |
a year later, and which you declared to me |
you loved better than anything else in the |
world"
my poor, dead Carlo-yes.' /
"Do you remember Nellie Brandon, TO |
whom you were SO fondly attached at fif- I
teenl Your intimate friend, TO whom you
iontided every thought
"A school girl friendship-yes But what |
fc you mean by asking me slese questions,
yustin!"
II want to show you how we outgrow
,ur loves. Would you love ?our doll and
log nOwW
.The doll-no. The dog-a little. But
surely you do not rank yourself with toy
md pet ANIMAL"
"No, that is not what mean. use these
hings in illustration, not comparison. How
% YOU regard Nellie Brandon now!''
"She is shallow, and-well, do not care
Or her friendship
.'You did care for 1t once. And that is
hat am trying to make you understand.
ou are not what you were then. As you
row older you will still continue to change
, you have been changing. YOU"
s:You will talk useiessly all night, if you 1
tempt to prove that, Justin interrupted ,
10 girl. II shall never cease to love you. &
on were my first love, and you will be my /
ST." t
perhaps SO. Heaven knows I hope that a
u are right. See the moon cleaning
rough that misty cloud"
His arms were about her; her cheek was fl
ainst his breast. They stood in silence p
r few moments. a. las. Virginia said: y
What have you planned to do for your fl
If, Justin % n
Il have not concluded yet what l shall n
One thing is sure; shall stay in this Il
little place no longer" 81
DO you suppose the mystery about your 81
-entage win ever be cleared upa' W
] am afraid not. Yet I think that il "