Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-06-19
GIN Gnteresting gtory,
A LESSON FROM LIFE.
BY A. W. LINCOLN.

L
son. The expression of the eyes often
reveals some hidden secret of the heart.
Sadness was pictured upon the face
of Edith May, as she. sat in the deep
ening twilight, at the close of sultry
summer day.
She mirmured to herself, "Oh, how
| have at times wished to lie down and
rest; to sleep that last sleep which has
no awakening. There are moments
when have this retainable desire, to
fly from my own existence, when all
past "reminiscences crowd upon me-
The parting, the last look and the
last words of endearment from my
loved one are engraved upon my men,
ory."
She took from box a letter, and
after pressing it to her lips, she care
fully unfolded it, reading aloud
SACRAMENTO, Oct. 9th, 1872.
"EDrTH, DARLING MINE My hand is
tremulous, and my brain confused, when 1
endeayor to give utterance to my feelings
in this lowly and tedious separation. As
/ gaze into the dim future, which seems so
long ere | can again enfold thee to my bo-
som, despair takes possession of me, and I
am utterly miserable. Still, dear Edie, in
all of my darkness and gloom, little sill
yer ray lights up the blest assurance that
you love me, and that your faithful heart,
%~,-a L q
around my Life.
81 am yearning, beloved Edie, for one
word from you. Write to me, darling.
without reserve, and tell me your everv
thought and feeling; and, oh, tell me if
this painful separation is as painful to you
as to myself.
IN each other will become strengthened,
and may the loving influence of devoted
heart shield you from all the rude storms
of sorrow and dependency during my alb
sence. God is with us both. through Him
bless you, and in Him I place my trust.
Thine ever,
CHARLES w. SCOTT.
'sEaith. Nay, Macon, Ca"
'.Oh, so hard," said she, "absent one
Year, andsthis dear, dear. letter is ALL
have to treasure. "When I think
of the space that intervenes between
us, it adds ten-fold to my loneli-
ness; but when I think of the long,
weary months of separation that roll
between us, my soul is filled with an
guish, and never until now, have [ re-
allied the depth of my Affection
Edith was an only daughter of Judge
May. At an early age she was left
motherless, and the Judge adopted
daughter as companion for her.
Edith May was not beautiful, but
she possessed a bright and intelligent
mind, while generous and lofty emo
tions dwelt within her. The express
sion of her deep blue eyes was filled
with tenderness, and ever ready to yield
in sympathy. She loved Charles Scott,
and she had always felt that they were
united by destiny; yet during his long
silence, dark forebodings oppressed
her.
Leona, the adopted daughter, was
very brilliant. She was endowed with
personal beauty, and she had peculiar
gracefulness of manner which render
ed her very prepossessing. She was
amiable and pleasing, and universal
favorite. Yet she was vain coquette,
and trifed with one suitor after anoth-
er, casting them away regardless of
their fate.
She was not destitute of penetration,
and she knew that Edith loved Scott,
and she became in heart her rival, for
she had long cherished the hope of
winning him to herself.
Among her many acquaintance was
one named Willis Danvers. He was
a poet and in taste and feeling assimi-
lated with her romantic life. But love
had never yibrated upon the chords of
his heart until he knew Leona. AL
though she was woman without much
character, she was his ideal of true
loyeliness..
He declared his passion, and offered
his hand and was accepted; still he
had many doubts in regard to her sin
cerity.
Willis lived in confding and alb
sorbing love; while Leona was only
bound to him by the sympathies of at
traction.
One day he called to take her to ride,
but finding her absent from home, he
invited Edith toaccompany him, which
she did.
When Leona returned Edith said. |
SMy dear sister, [ have to thank you
for pleasant ride. I took your seat
by the side of Willis, not expecting to
fill your place, but hoping to allay in