Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-06-25
RENA'S CHOICE.
BY IVY yANE.

lne locomotives Snrlii whistle DrOke
the stiffness of the morning air, as it
fell upon the listening ears of the loun-
gers around Pierpoint Station; each
one was up and ready for the old steam
horse, as he came putting and blowing
up to the platform, and paused to take
on passengers and put off all who wish
ed to stop at the rural little place. Mr..
Holbrook and family stepped from the
train, and found themselves, after, a
few hours ride, at their new home. A
few business houses, country tavern,
and some half dozen dwellings, and
that was Pierpoint, Rena Holbrook's
future home. Fresh from the city, and
bred, the prospect was gloomy one,
and the gay, ,dashing girls spirits droop-
ed their pinions, and great tears like
raindrops welled up in her big, gray
eyes, and began to trickle down her
cheeks as they entered the little parlor
of the hotel, and she took in at glance
the low ceiling, the odd looking folding
doors, the plain furniture, the faded
carpet, and last but not least, the stern,
masculine-looking hostess who met
them and bade them enter and have
seats. Rena sat down upon an old
fashioned long sofa, and, buryingi her
face in her hands, gave up to bitter
tears. si
"Why, daughter" said her father,
"what can be the matter? Oh, cheer
up, cheer up, and perhaps you may yet
like the country after ALL"
"Oh, it does look so lonely hereH" Sob
bed Rena. , .-..i p 3f-at
"Lonely, indeed!'' said the matter-of-
fact .landlady.; ''it's. splendid place,
and Ill venture to say you'll not be
kere year till you are married to some
Sne of our farmers sons, and SO well
pleased raising your chickens and ducks
and turkeys, and tending your garden,
you4never will care to live in the city
again. ....'..... -.
1t was prophecy, but Rena' Is soul re-
coiled from the picture, and Fancy with
her busy fingers painted home in the
city, bedecked with all that is lovely in
nature and art, with the stylish, polish
ed, and educated Eugene Courtney for
her liege lord and master. No country
"clodhopper," with his robust form and
awkward ways, could gain the. citadel
of her heart. Rena Holbrook had al
ways been thrown into gay society, and
was little .spoilt; but, notwithstand-
ing, an impulsive, warm-hearted girl,
possessed ola fine and noble nature.
She was fond Of gay company, but there
were many times when she would steal
away, and alone with nature and ma
ture's God, muse for hours at time up
on the weaknesses, and frivolities of
the human family. She had world of
feeling buried within her little heart,
although to the casual observer she was
simply "butter-ny of fashion," Many
times had she said, 81 have met my af-
finity; I have met the man who alone
of all others has the power to sweep
the silver chords of my soul, causing
them to vIbrate with ten thousand in
explicable emotions; but as many times
would soon realize that it had only been
delusion, ascintillating spark evanes-
cent in. its existence. SO at the time of
our story her heart was unfettered, and
the hostess Of Pierpoint hotel had made
a prophecy which soon, very soon was
| to be verified. M aa.l d.
Rena Holbrook was destined to spend
the remainder Of her days in the coun-
try, with the arbiter of her fate simply
farmers son. Rena's grief was tran
STORY. She was naturally buoyant in
spirits, cheerful and contented under all
circumstances, SO now she wiped her
tears away, and resolved to make the
best of bad bargain" and conform to
circumstances with as good grace as
possible. Her father had removed to
the country for his health, which was
very feeble, and which lie hoped would
be restored by the pure country air
Rena thought of their object in leav-
ing the city, and determined that, al
though she should nearly die of ennui,
she would not murmur al hsr lonely
fate. i-y. ft ttiHatiia. .ii.
"Well," said she, al am anxious tc
4 see our house, and as 1t Is but shor,
distance, l think / will step in and lool
at it." Mrs. Holbrook and the three