The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-08-15
WESTMINSTER MD SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1874

Tenderly they lifted him up, and slowly bore
him away, though esery irregular step of his
bearers evoked agroan Of pain Lucy walked
beside him, frequently moistening his lips
with water, and twice she called halt and
administered cordial. They reached the
house at last, and the wounded man was
placed on bed. The surgeon soon came,
and, when he had examined the wound, con-
graduated Miss Hargrose on her nerve and
skill. The injury, he said, was severe, but
not necessarily fatal, and he could confidently
state that with good care the patiei-t would
soon be well.
Thus It came about that Lucy Hargroye be.
came better known to the inhabitants Of Oak.
land for during those weeks that Felix
Graham lay wounded at the farm she was
constantly at his bedside, and those who
watched his nurse at her selfappointed post
Of duty, could not but own she was assiduity
and tenderness combined, and embodied in
the presence Of lovely person.
Yet Of her own affairs she was persistently
reticent, and two or three attempts Of the
less ssrupulous Of the visitors to cross examine
her respecting her family, were so quietly but
so completely bafied that the inquisitors were
glad to leave the tabooed subject alone.
By and by the wound Of Felix Graham was
well enough for his removal, andhe was taken
home. Then the old life seemed to come
back to the strange, isolated girl at the Har-
| 0rova farm Rakha. oba vn..,,..l =. -. .szl..
ded than ever, as If the partial break in her
retirement demanded more vigorous shutting
out of the world, and the gossips once more
found themselves busy detailing and amend
ing the numerous surmses they mutually held
concerning her.
The statement that Felix Grahan's wound
was partially well had reference only 10 his
physical hurt Cupid, the invisible and
therefore more dangerous foe to the peace OF
young humanity, had deeply planted shaft
in his heart, and the great, awkward, country
BOBBY would gladly have laid down his life
for the sake Of the city belle Yet the gate
of Hargrove farm shut out no one more
entirely than him. Perhaps she realized the
state Of his feelings, and recognizing the
hopelessness of his love, wisely forbore feed.
ing passion that could bring nothing butill.
One day before he removed from the Har'
grove farm he had spoken with Lucy relative
to the accident, and she had simply said
81 was reading in the woods and saw you
pass by. You we're past when was startled
by gunshot and heared groan. Fearing
an accident ] ran down the rayine till found
you. feared you we're dead, but soon
ascertained that you were not; tried tc
staunch the flow ofblood, and--you know the
rest
(Which is that l shall never be able to
repay the debt owe your exclaimed he,
ashamed and shocked at his temerity moment
afterward.
81 have done nothing was the cool reply,
"more than duty we all owe to one another.
Do not mention It again"
Poor Felix Had he been more deeply
versed in the ways Of the world, he would moi
have put so literal construction upon the
words but considering himself guilty of an
imprudence, and fearing that the whole sub
ject was distastefnl to her--that even the
care she bestowed on him was disagreeable
burden, he essayed deprecatory sentence.
She stopped him at once, and handing him q
book, bade him keep it and endeavor to profit
by its teachings. II was "Bunyan's Pilgrim
Progress but it was not until long aherward
that he knew the dark stain on its cover was
made by his own blood--that was the book
she was reading, as she sat near the Black
Rayine, that to him luckless day.
So Felix Graham, loving with all the earn.
estness ofhis rude soul, feared that his love
was offensive to its object, placed the seal Of
silence upon it, choosing to suffer alone rather
than give pain to one so pure and 50 far above
him.
| 1t was cold, cheerless, morning in mid.
winter that Felix Graham sat reading in front
Of cheerful fire in his fathers home, endeav.
oring to exercise spirit Of restlessness that
was stealing upon him Of late. For awhile he
had been content to love the girl at Hargrove
farm as one might love deity; but in all
earthly love there is desire for the posses
sion of the object loved, and this desire was
growing strong in the soul Of Felix Graham.
He had met Lucy once or twice since his re-
covery, and she had met him cordially but
he was too modest to hope that the kindness
sprang from any other motive than friendly
interest in one to whom she had done q favor
least Of all that il grew out Of a personal
interest in himself He was, therefore, great
ly surprised, when the door opened and John
Lawhorn walked in with note from Lucy.
II ran thus
"MR. Felix GRAHAa please come to me
at once and confer favor on
| LuoY HARGRovr.n
He arose, donned his overcoat, and set OF
with John for the Hargrove farm.
"Do you know what is the matter?n he
asked of his companion as they walked along
"No,r said John. 81 had just brought in
the mail and was hardly warm when Miss
lacy came with a white face and asked me to
take note to you."
Graham found Lucy in tears, but habited
/ ioE u WAN attu waning tOt him IN tlt0 SUING
room. She rose to meet him and brokenly
said
"Iwant you to go with me 10 the Black
Rayine.
"To the Black Ravine f-why y he asked
in surprise, for neiiherof them had been there
since the day he was borne from thence with
that ugly wound in his side.
"Read thati'' and the trembling fingers
held out crumpled note. He took Il and
read
"DEAR Lucy; This Is the last line you will
ever receive from your unhappy father. The
accompanying papers viii show you that every
thing Is lost To escape the degradation Of
poverty, and worse still, ofexposure, choose
to end life that for months has been nothing
but burden Of care. IL you find my body,
and do not tear that the sleep Of suicide win
haunt your future life, bury il on the Hargrore
farm. The farm is yours-your sole posses
sion-it was settled on your mother at our
marriage. May God shield and comfort you,
my darling, and may He have mercy on the
l eOui Of GERALD HARGROyEH y