The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1874-08-13
MI Rival.
BIZ GILBERT LIE rEvaE.

Bright and happy and peaceful wa
my village home, situated IN iovei!
New England valley, and surrounded o,
q circle Of lofty blue hills that rose on'
above another until they were lost II
,he blue distance of tho horizon. Thrift
~ fields of golden grain nodded IN th,
the breeze, and cheerful farm houses,an
fat cattle, and fragrant clever, and trei
lised honeysucklcs, clinging fondly &c
evcrhanging. caves, and an old gray
ackooi house, and a neat white viila9e
church, all combined TO delight the sens
eS.
Twas young, vigorous, contented-
ave, contented and happy, for Fanny
BRAY, my schoolmate and next neigh
Dor. who was just sixteen, and two years
mv Junior, loved me, and had told me
20 as plainly as those soft, bewliching
blue eyes OF hers could speak.
How dearly I loved Fanny; how
secretly watched her every motion al
tho service ut the little meeting house
each Sunday how the san would Greer
I, through tho windows, and, glancin.
a,hwart her soft and abundant hair,
clisten there as if it loved to rest upon
il. How softly her voice sounded as
che jolned in the response. And when
walked homeward with her by my
side, how sweetly she smiled. and how
kindly she spoke of every one, and how
vii the fellows enviei me because they
saw ,ha, Fanny. loved me. And how
but why should 30 on? Twas happy,
too happy, and often thought, this can
not last; there will be some check Il
The smooth current OF MY JOY, for sucL
is fate.
II was forward spring, and May day
was to be u>hercd IN on tho morrow
hv garland dance. . May pole, the
choice OF a queen OF beauty 10 reign foi
tho OCCASION; a festive board was to b,
spread, and half the rI.lage .,,wsrc wei
near crazy at The bare anticipation O.
,hc delightful occasion. -: course,
was happy-ay, happy a. the most en-
,husiassic; for well knew that Fanny
Brsy-mv Faanie--would be chosen
Queen of May; and this delighted me a
much as thousi we're myself 10 hay'
been elevated 10 somc high honor. Full
Of anticipation and delight, | slept none
on the previous night, and was among
the FIRST 10 embark in the furiherancc OF
the preparations for the festive occa
s"D.
Tic hours passed on, the garlanded
poi, was reared on the village green,t the
rustic dance WAS picturesque, the queen
dear Eaunic-was laore lovely ;haI
ever, and even the most cynics! IT the
Villagers gathered abont the spot WI
interest and kindly words. But bark :.
there is the sound of 4 horses hoois.
and 4 uay aud dashiag rider draws ~
before tho village inn, whcrc he DIS
mounts. losses the rein to the landlord,
anl desires ref-eshmeut for himself ans:
horse. Ere long, attracted 10y the
,lreng upon the green. the stranger
Joins il, and full OF animation enters III
{, the spiri; OF the occasion, chatting
PLEASANTLY with one ard another, and
captivating al with his grace and manly
beauty. Even Fannie looked kindly
upca him, aad before half hour had
passed. he led her forth in ;he dance.
Had Al adder stung me, | shonid not
have been more poisoned IN nody tnan
| was at onco in mind. l grew dizzy.
SICK at hcart-I could not bear 10 look
upou the scene. and stole quietly away
% the reighbcring wood, where threw
myself upon the rank grass IN the shade
Of the forest, and Groanci IN agony ~
shirt. How could she look Sd kindly
upon .he s;rarger: how could she dance
with him. Never before had detcsted
the polka as now did, since had seen
his ara about Fannie's waist, and her
hand resting upon his shoulder +. l could
not bear to recall the sight, and shudder-
ed a, the idea. And he, too, bow dc
lighted he lookcd-how happy and self
satisfied. lett as though could stran-
gle him, aud inyoluDiarily cintched Use
dead branches that lay by my side, as
though had his ;hi oat in my grasp.
The newcomer was polished, town
bred, finely dressed. and had, witha',
many attractions that rend red him vast
IL my superior in persona! appearance.
This fully realized; IA! as saw thai
h, was evidently siruck with Fannic's
beauty and genticness, | trcmble'! tor
the result. The stay which lie hs ap.
parently intended at tho outset TO be OF
sn hour OF SO, had already extended 10 Il
week nav, tho second week was al
really entered upon. He was constant
ly with Fannie, and she seemed more
than pleased with his attentions.
was too proud to interfere, though
loved hcr so dearly | wanted her not,
unless she loved ME tho same; and so !
I was never in their way to interrupt |
their intercourse. He had evidently /
heard Of my intimacy and partial en-
gagemcnt with Fannie, and now l
thought when | caught his eye, that
detected an expression OF triumph |
there.
Ibis was too much | coald com
mand nv jealousy so far rs Fannie was
concerned, bu, could not be exuted
over and sncered at; that single glance
Of his eye fred my spirit of revenge,
and I inwardly swore vengeance.
brooded over the idea, until worked
up my feelings to snch pitch that
was prepared for anything. What was
lifc to me All its charms were now
gone. She / loved was faithiess;
cared not TO live. But he-hc should
not have her, though she was not to be