Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-08-21
After Many DaL Us.
BY RAY LIrTLEToN.

BY RAY L1TTLEToNt
well little one, what do you think of quitting
the farm and being lady. l am tired Of see
Ing you shaving so much
Quit farmiDgp why Ralph what do you
mean?'
Just what say, sis, but don't look so hurt
or shall be tempted to keep on after all
of course you will keep on, what else could
you do
saw Jones to-day and he offered 10 lease
The Star TO me five, ten, twenty years and as
much longer as stay; lie says he is tired of
rogues for tenants aud would rather give ALI
honest man what be could make and then be
cheated by such fellows. Sow Lucy don't
look so sober for this change is just what you
need and Mr.. Jones promises to make it pay
me-
Ralph you are blinded by the Offering pros
pect of the money you hope to lay up. But con-
slider beg of you what you will lose. In the
first place you will lose your selt-respect and
confidence Of your fellow men, and will bring
upon you the curse of a just God, and though
you may gain wealth you will lose your peace
of conscience, and each dollar will hold the
haunting memory ofsome poor drunkard's soul
or starving widow and orphans esgairlne cry
for bread
why Lucy you make Out dark Picture
Upon my word Sis, you would make capital
temperance lecturer
Il have no such ambition assure you Ralph
but ehall be content to live with YOU and be your
'little one rs you call me, though, am neatly
eighteen
All! but you will not always stay with me.
shall lose you some time expect before | know
it,
THAT is not likely, brother, said Lucy smiling.
But surely Ralph you have not consented 10
letss that horrid tavern
'Well,not exactly, l thought had better see
you first
Then ask you brother, as you,value our
mutual happiness, not TO take it.
Ill think on it awhile before give my final
answer, but must say think YOU have over-rat-
ed the evils of tavern keeping.
'On the contrary have only enumerated
.felo of its evil cons aquences.'
Some days after the above conversation,
Ralph having fully decided to give up the idea Of
tavern keeping called upon Nina Ross his aft
anced bride.
She knew he had been offered the place. indeed
1t was through her fathers influence that MIR.
Jones had been led to give him the chance of
making fortune os Mr.. Ross had told Mira
When Ralph reached her fathers gate She came
out to meet him looking lovelcr, Ralph thought
than he had ever seen her. He remembered years
afterwards just how she looked OH that never to
be forgotten evening. Her cheeks were tiuyed
with just the faintest hue Of the rose, her hair
which fell in luxurant curs to her waist the set
ting suns fast disappearing rays lighted to rich
golden color and her perfectly clliseled lips part
ed with the glad smile OF welcome, showed her
pearly teeth to advantage, and lie ever remem-
bereo how gracefully the folds of her simple
muslin fell about her perfectly moulded FORM
For moment he stood spell-bound As if fear
lug TO dispel the vision, then folding ner in his
arms he kissed her lips and fotehead and even
her hair with such passionate ardor that he
almost startled her.
What is it, Ralph? what makes YOU so foo.
isb, she said coquettishly, don't you know sir
1t Is against the rules to kiss any woman bu,
your wife,
could not help it Mira, you looked so love
", so surprisingly beautiful, that did 1t be-
fore thought. But please forgive me il | die
wrong he said with mock gravity.
I'm not so sure Of that sir, you must first
promise not 10 forget ,an,or- Well won
again.
Yes you will, but when | saw YOU lookin.
so very lovely my heart seemed to stand still a.
hau lost you. Aud wouldyou mind losing
me so much as that.
you know would dearest but somehow
feel sad tonight, perhaps it is because | realiz
tnat you are 100 good Tor me, plain farmer
are you quite sure NJ ina Il a, on will alway
love me-
'Ofcourse | shall Ralph, beside you will no
be plain farmer any longer.
Would you love me any the less if
should %
'Pshaw Raph,dont be girlsh, but why do 70,
ask?'
Because | have decided 10 STAY on TN
farm -
Surelyyo have not been so foolish as to Civ
up that splendid chance which Jones ofIyre
YOU
'Yes darling have counted the cost and
cannot barter my soul for money thus gained
deep silence fell upon the pair but Ralpl
feeling that he must know If his decision hat
affected her love, at last asked in low tones
she Ia not think he had done right
mo- she exclaimed In vaNcd rone, Il thinl
you have acted rashly. Only think, vol
might have been rich in a few years, but nov
you must pod all your life and never be any
thing after all but plain farmer, | am disap
pointed in you Mr.. Turner
MIR. Turner. Oh Maria, Maria! is it true tia
you loved me only for my prospect in lifry'
AS you please said she doldly, truly yo,
seem 10 value my love to thus be sup, ions of m,
motse.'
My darling forgive me, but why have VOL
ceased to call me Ralph, If it ii not That
k1ou still doubt me, theuI wall not STAY To b,
insulted in my fathers house, and before ht
could detain her She was gone
Ralph took up his hat in All absent va,
and was soon home.
Lucy met him and in uothent had read tbe
secret his sadness
hs'pn' my poor darling, she exclainen throw
Ing her arins around his neck Il am go sorry
iOr you.
Yes, sis, fear have lost her.'
If she gives you up Tor thai, she is not hall
soou enough Tor my noble, self-denying broth
Ion T. uott' Lucy, cant bear you to speak
Then won't for your sake, but tell me all
about It, 80
Not now, sis, perhaps will sometime. Good
night for the present little one don't bother ahon,
ine; nc auueu, caresslng her hair tenderly, Ill
hope SO too, but when two weeks had
passed by without appearing 10 help the matte,
any,Lucy began to feel dislike for Inc rirl who
had thus darkened her.brother's life.
Ralph wrote repeatedly to Mira beppiup her
10 retract from her wish not I'd see him saain'
for he felt that if he could reason with her .he
would once more love him, brt il was her f,tb.
err who at his first call after that unhaaDv even.
Ing met him at the door telling him his comma.
ny was no longer agreeable, aud Ralph moro