Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-10-23

air, and echoing in the heart-chambers
of each as loudly as if spoken by
thousand tongues.
Ruth, said the young man, still
holding her little hand between his
own, 81 will come back again.
,'But it will be great while first,
said the artless child-girl, in reply.
''The summer will all be gone; and
the winter will come and 60; and the
spring-fowers will bloom on the hill
sides, and down the lanes, and in the
woods; and another summer will
come again; and another; and how
many, many more? Oh, William,
can wait so long,"
The tender earnestness of her speech
had nearly prevented his replying at
all. But he rallied himself with a
strong effort, and REPLIED
"My dear Ruth, can you not wait
but few years, when you know they
will bring you such greater joy in the
end? Will you not suffer this separa-
ton for so long a time, if by the
means we shall both be made so much
happier ?"
He waited a moment to see what
effect his words might have on her.
She answered him only after much
difficulty, while the gllstening tears
swan like jewels in her eyes
"My Heart is strong. 1t will bear
much.
AT this point, her convulsive sobs
prevented her saying another syllable.
William wound his arm gently about
her waist. and drawing her closer still
to him, kissed her pale forehead-how
pale and cold! 1t startled him.
He looked again into her eyes, and
spake not word forsome time. Their
eyes finally met
'It is asking too much," exclaimed
he. Ruth, | will not 90. | will stay.
| will stay only to make you always
happy"
"No, mol" replied she, her resolu-
ton opportuney coming to her aid.
'To! go and be what you have de-
termined to be. DO what your heart
has fixed itself fupon. Be happy"
"And shall you be happy too,
Ruth ?"
"Too happy, too happy, ifI only
know that you are successful in your
wishes" replied the devoted girl.
He could only press her to his heart
again, in return tor her love thus sin
cerely expressed.
I'm five years." SAID he, as he rose
to his feet and gazed sorrowfully about
him: ut costs me pang, Ruth, and
you a greater one; but my hopes
brighten my path. 1t would be all
dark without them. And I have
your own prayers, too
"All of them," said she.
He kissed her forehead again. He
took her by her hand once more, and
pressed it in a silent adieu He could
not trust himself to words.
He felt something thrust into his
hand. but dared not look to see what.
His heart was too full
Casting long and tender glance at
the bride Of his young heart, his own
eyes filled with binding tears. Will
liam Brltton began In silence and sor-
row his journey through the world
the same journey on which so many
sink down, faint, and weary, and
worn, by the way-side, and so many
more find only disappointments enough
to make them wish from their hearts
that they had never once started.
Truly, it requires stout heart to press
forward on this journey through all
the trials that environ us.
Ruth looked after him, anxiously
and prayerfnlly, till the dense seadows
received him to their embrace in the
distance; and long after he had final.
ly disappeared, her eyes were still fix
ed on the place where she last saw his
departing form.
Then turning her head about again,
she bent down beneath the great
weight Of her grief, and suffered her
sorrow to swell and burst in a rain Of
hot tears,
When this tempest had in degree
subsidized, her spirit felt more calm
and she arose from her seat; forgetful
that the dusky shadows were already
dancing hither and thither upon the
old road, and slowly pursued her way
home again.
All that night she lay tossing upon
| her bed She had q secret in her