The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1874-05-28


II cannot speak the rest. On, II my
father dbuld have died without leaving
this record, I might have forgotten-eye,
pitied Ill the rest"
aYou know but little Of them, Virginia,
If You think them capable of such injus.
tlce-oh no, the trials which you have
passed through and the dignity with
which you have endured them-suatain-
ing and supporting yourself whore others
would have failed, has ennobled, has ex.
allied you in theH estimation, and they
would rejoice ina such Q union for me.
The. only obstacle il that word from your
own lips snaltssnNe. On, win you, can
not you take it hackl" - r
81 caanot, I Asssst not and you should
not ask, Il, for it would be ruin to you as
we'll a. myself. i can see nothing in the
present or future which would justify
such . marriage. Let us talk or think no
more Of it." 1turned to 60 back, for 1t
was late.
"This is not the end" he said, as he
put my arm in his. "You shall yet con-
sent to be my wife. lido not give It up. /
am made of sterner stuff than you think. -
We were ct home as he said this. Add
ing to II . agood night" we separated.
I retired early-laid my head upon my
pillow, not to sleep, but to live over again
this scene with Percy, to recall each word,
each look. Oh, it was 20 sweet to feel my
self beloved. could not help but give
myself mp to its bliss for one short hour.
/ tried to forget all that was unpleasant
Percy was still where I could see him,
could speak to him, and could not real
ize that I had lost him forever, although
my own lips had said it.
Painful though it was, / returned to the
store next morning and resumed my du-
ties. When met Percy l could not but
remark his sad, dispirited appearance.
As to myself, whilst he was still where
his kind voice could reach me, could
not would not, be miserable. When, as
usual, we walked home together in the
evening, tried to be cheerful, to divert
his thoughts from their disquietude.
told him of my intention of again pur-
chasing our old home, all of which he
listened to with deep attention, only re-
marking:
"Well! you have shown yourself better
adapted to business than l have. can.
not see what you fear in the future"
"What I fear has already been ex.
pressed. am only surprised that you do
not open your eyes to its truth"
We were near the point of separation.
! babe him good evening, and went round
to make the present owner of the cottage
an offer for it.
I need not 60 into all the preliminaries
of the purchase OF the old home. Imade it
my mothers again, and had after paying
for it enough left to repair and furnish 1t
comfortably and neatly. s=
Mrs. Gilmore invited my mother to spend
the day with her, SO as to give me an op-
p0rtunity of removing our furniture to
the house without her knowledge, as
had long had it in anticipation to give
her an agreeable surprise. She never
dreamed Of what I had been doing. The
young daughters assisted me in my prep
arations. We had q table spread in our
booking 10 cosy and home
like that no one could have imagined that
we had ever been out of the house. Ihad
1t beautifully lighted up about dark, when
l went round to bring my mother. She
started when we were in the street for our
late residence when said:
~ Let US 60 by the old place. It has
been repaired lately and I want you to
see it.
She objected at first, saying it was too
dark to see anything now, and she would
prefer going some other time. l urged
the matter little, still going on in that
and she following until we were
In sight of it." %
"Oh!" she exclaimed, show brightly
it is lighted up. 1t looks almost like an
1t must have changed
hands,"
"Yes," answered, ait has; and as I
am slightly acquainted with the family l
am determined to 20 in once more. You
Can stand out here or follow me-"
I knew quite well she would follow,
and was not disappointed to find her in
the door as soon Is was. The servant
whom had employed opened the door
and led the way into our bedroom. There
was all her own furniture, the bed made
up with its usual counterpart; even her
little rocking chair had found it's place.
My mother looked bewildered, but said
nothing. I then brought her out into the
dining-ro room, where the table-with its
white cloth, and on it her own old-fash-
Toned china-was spread. watched het
expression of amazement; she still re-
manned silent. At length, with look of
anxious inquiry toward me, she asked:
Virginia, my daughter, what does
this meanf Have you rented the old
place --.,g = 49,.
NO, my darling mother, I have not. -
Tears rolled down my cheeks as said
it; tears of ioy-joy such % we feel but
once in q lifetime. see her Just now as
i write, as she stood there in the deep
mourning which she always wore, while
her pale face lighted up with . perplexed
yet doubling expression. / left her stand
ing, almost overcome with her emotions,
and went to bureau drawer and brought
the deed for the property and put it in hez
hand. draw veil over the scene which
followed.
After tea the Elmores came. We had
refresh ments and merry time. A sad
look or word was forbidden.
When the company had gone and the
house became quiet I confided all had
done to my mother; told her all but
my love for Percy. A knowledge of its
disappointment and the reasons for il
would blight the joy she was now in
dulging. My mother lived over again all
that had been bright in her life that night
From that time until the day Of her death
sisted she should not sew, but devote hel
time to cultivating our garden and yard
and bringing them back to their former
beauty.
Ny own disappointment l almost for
got in my mothers happiness, until one
day was surprised to receive note from
Percy, who had not been in the store al
day. It ran thus:
M DEAR VRaMrA: have had an offer OF bust
ness which seems to poiEt 90 directly to success
that dare not refuse. Its only disagreeable
feature 10, that 1t will Jake me far away from one
leave. must have private interview with you
before GU 90 will be with you this evening, when
hope you will consent to change, or blot out for.