The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1874-07-10
[Original.
DRIPTED APART.
BY MRS. CHARLES A. wISoNG.

In n of our little Western villages
there might have been seen, n night
in the early spring, a fair, expectant
face looking from the door of one OF the
prominent residences of the village. 1t
was the face of a young and lovely girl,
lust budding into ~womanhood. She
was a blonde, not strictly beautiful ; her
features were irregular, but the laugh
ing, merry light that shone in every
iineament covered all deficiencies.
Short of stature, with a roundness of
form one seldom sees in m SO young,
and vet almost fairy-like in petiteness.
She wore her dark chestnut hair short
in clustering curls-half curl and half
friz-with a with a wild, laughing grace
about it peculiar to herself /; blue eyes
with a pure pale complexion ; scarcely
seventeen, and only an idolized child
half-womau, half-child.
Such was Linnie Claton when We first
made her acquaintance. She stood
looking out at the deepening dark
ness; but soon were heard approaching
steps. The steps came nearer, and from
the darkening shadows came the form
of a young man. One look into her
face told he was the one whom she ex-
pected.
He advanced and took her hands and
bent and kissed her lovingly. Linnie's
face, as she looked up to her handsome
companion, was filled with a love-light
so pure and holy. none could fail to see
that he was her lover and idol.
Gus Fisher was the SOB of a gentle
man residing on the outskirts of the
town. OF good family and handsome
well-mated. He WAS between a blonde
and a brunette, quiet and secretive, one
who made his most simple actions seem
like a mystery. He loved Linnie as
much as his selfish, conceited nature
allowed him to love any one. He had
no power TO love any me but himself.
Linnie led the way into the parlor.
Such a parior al one sees in a small
village where pomp and splendor are
strangers.
Oh, how happy she was! 1t was a
sweet, sweet dream-a perfect Eden !!
Would it would last. But every Eden
has its serpent. This had one already
in its midst. They talked of this and
that talked as lovers only can talk.
When Gus kissed her goodnight, he
whispered:
"Linnie, little one, when will you
make nae the happiest of men? When
viii you be mine all mine, forever?"
whenever you wish, Gus"
"Well, Limie, love, 1 think We
might get ready by October"
"Perhaps so, if you wish"
So it was settled! October was to
see them united as one.
Poor little Linnie ! She could not see
the future. Perhaps it was well she
could not, for the clouds were gather
ing around her, dropping shadows one
by one. She loved as but few love in
this world of woe. 1t is well that all
do not love with the same depth of
passion. Happy little Linnie was des-
tined to carry an aching heart many
years, although SO merry now. The en-
gagement became noised about. Those
that knew nothing before learned of it.
One Sunday, owe a month after the
settlement, Linnie was dressed and
waiting for her lover. The usual hour
of his coming had come and gone, still
he did not come. At last she grew i'm
patient. Her sweet face clouded, and
wandered from room to room. Six
O'Clock came, and still he did not come.
At last she grew 20 restless she deter
mined to find out what was the matter.
She ran over to his sisters, who lived
in the neighborhood, and inquired for
Gus, and if he was sick. What was her