The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1874-07-10

in aims because of the engagement.
Each and all had set their heads against
it. not even giving the girl a chance to
show them that she was worthy of their
son and brother. Oh, how her heart
ached! Not for herself. She never
gave a thought to herself, but for him.
She went home, and knelt and prayed
for him. If they could have seen her
tear-wet eyes raised to Him in suppllca-
ton for her loved one, some OF their
bitterness would have passed away.
This was but the beginning of the siege
that bore away the happiness OF both.
They did all they could to separate
them. Outsiders learned all, and they
did their share of adding fuel to the
flame. They gave him no peace at
home, and in place of acting like a man
and standing by Linnie, he acted the
towards part, and allowed her young
life to be burdened by sorrow. All the
bright, young beauty left her, and she
became, ali so sad and pale ; some
times Historically lively, succeeded by
a sadness so deep that nothing could
arouse her. Those that loved her looked
on with plying eyes.
As the time for their wedding drew
near, matters became worse and worse.
All were determined they should be
separated. The father tainted her when
he met her. Gus did not come often,
and when he did it gave more pain than
leasure, for he was silent and misera-
BILE. At last his visits ceased altogeth-
er. The days and nights dragged wea-
rily away, until five dreary weeks had
passed, and still he did not come.
Linnie had suspended all preparations
for the wedding. At last came a note
from him-such q pitiable, cowardly
note, telling her he was bound by chains
he could not break, and he must give
her up.
Oh, how that note stung and ranked.
Still she could not believe he could be
so cruel and heartless.
She met him one evening, and re-
ceived apromise that he would come and
talk it all over. He came, and when she
saw him she sprang to him, her face
filed with a love so intense, SO pure, so
holy. that if he had not been less than
man he could not have acted as he did.
He looked down and saw the ravage
the past few weeks had wrought, and
was touched in spite of himself. He
drew her to him, saying:
my poor little Linnie, this is killing
you as well as myself"
She could not bear any more. She
chung to him in sobs and tears.
"Oh, Gus, you will not abandon me
you who are my God, my love, my all y
81 will not abandon you quite, but /
cannot marry you now, nor must my
people know 1 came here. l cannet
explain, but if 1 was not tied you
should be miEe in spite of all they might
say"
He stayed a long time talking thus.
Linnie trusted him so she believed all
he told her. If he had had one spark
of manly feeling he could not have de-
ceived her in her trusting love.
She gave him a love he never got in
after years, nor ever would get in this
life again, and he flung it from him as
a thing that was useless.
He came again and again. Fall came
and passed winter the same. He still
came, and his folks still kept up hos
%tilities, but not knowing positively that
he still went with Linnie. All they
could say against her was that she was
proud, could not work, and vas not fit
for a wife. AS for Linnie, she had
many chances for company. She never
lacked for an escort wherever she chose
to go. Still her spots of heaven were
when Gus ame then she was happy.
Oh! so inexpressibly happy. Spring
came, and then came the first change.
Gus came to Linnie one night and said
"Linnie, 1 love you, but I must go
away for a while 1 cannot bear this
much longer. Perhaps if L 60 away,
sometime all will come right"
She listened with breaking heart.
To give him up was like death, but,
woman like, she thought only of him
if he would feel better away she would
try and bear it. He went. She bore
it the best she could; she prayed fo1