Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-01-15
MLLERsBURG, HOLMES COUNTY, o. THURSDAY JAN. Is, 1874

!, 1t was from her nephew, who held
position on a newspaper in the city
= Every summer he came out to spend
I. few weeks on the farm.
1t was quite dusky when Aunt Bets.
folded up her letter. As she slipped
back into its envelope, Miss Wentwort
came down stairs. There were trace
of tears about her eyes yet.
81 have just ben a-readin' my letter,
said Aunt Betsy, anxious to keep Mis-
Wentworth's mind off its troubles
ats from Harry-thar the nephew
was tellin' you about You know. He'
comm Monday. I'm real glad, for he'
one of the best natured fellows livin'
an he'll cheer us all up bit, reckon
Nobody has the blues when Harry
round. You'll like him, I'm sure
young folks is allus the best company
for young folks"
| And ON Monday when Miss Went.
worth came home from school, she saw
a young man leaning on the garden
gate, and knew that Harry Fields had
come.
| He did not see her until she had
reached the gate. He looked up sud-
denly to find her standing there.
"Excuse me-" he said, opening the
gate for her to pass. "Have 1 been
keeping you out?'
"Oh, no, sir" answered Miss Went
worth, II had just reached the gate when
you looked up and saw me-"
"Harry, that's Miss Wentworth p
called out Aunt Betsy from the porch.
81 want you to be gettin' acquainted
81 am happy to meet Miss Went
WORTH" said Harry, with an amused
look in his frank brown eyes. ''Let us
be friends" he added, holding out his
hand toward her. 81 already felt quite
well acquainted with you, for Aunt
Betsy has been telling me. about you"
She gave him her hand, and said o
few simple words in reply, while Har-
ry's handsome eyes were on her face in
earnest admiration.
at seems pleasant to be back here
again." he said, after that little inter-
val of silence common to the opening
stages of an acquaintance. EVERY
thing seems so quiet and peaceful here"
"Yes, there is peace and quiet here"
she said, and Harry saw little shadow
darken in her eyes, as if she was re-
membering time when there was not
peace and quiet in her life.
And so began the friendship of Har-
ry Fields and Miss Wentworth.
81 like her very much," he told Aunt
Betsy, when he had been there week.
"She seems to have known a great deal
of trouble, and she can't get rid of the
shadow of it. Perhaps the trouble is
not over yet. Has she ever told you of
her past life? ?"
"Not one word," answered Aunt
Betsy.
"She don't like to think Of it, I know"
Some Of the pain faded out of Miss
Wentworth's face after little. Har-
ry's cheerful laugh and happy spirits
helped her to forget for the time some
of those things she would fain have
forgotten wholly. But that could not
be.
He read to her and walked with her
in the pleasant country lanes, and
through the orchard paths; and there
were quiet, pleasant little talks in the
garden among the late roses and lilies.
And over all was the spell of youth and
summertime. What wonder that he
learned to love the woman with the |
sweet, sorrowiul eyes, and the patient
face!
There would be days together when |
she seemed to shun him; when it seemed |
as il she left that it werSbetter for them
to be apart. Then she would suddenly |
change in her behavior and brighten
up, as she always did when Harry was
near, and he would fancy that she cared
for him and thinking this, he would
grow tenderer in voice and manner, as
men do when they are with the woman
they love; and then, when it seemed
but step more to complete happiness
she would suddenly become distant and
and he would see no more OF
her for long time, except when they
met at the table. And always when
she held herself aloof in this way, he
noticed that the shadow on her face was
deeper, and the sorrow in her eyes was
pitiful to see. At such times he longed
to take her in his arms and comfort her.
One evening he met her in the gar
den. She had avoided him for several
lays, and now that a chance presented
itself he determined that there should
be some kind of an understanding be-
tween them.
81 didn't know that you were here"
she said, in kind of frightened way,
and he heard quiver in her voice. 81
Il think will 60 ln.''
"Not yet, Ethel, he said, putting out
l hand to keep her back. He had nev-
sr called her Ethel before, and he saw
he brief color that came in her cheeks
IS he spoke it. Then the flush died
sway and left her very pale.
"Please let me co." she pleaded. "In-
Iced, must"
"Wait," he said. 81 want to talk
with you. can't stand this any long
er. want to know how the matter is
between us. Oh, Ethel, 1 love you."
The young mans voice was full of
strong and earnest passion. His hand
some face was all aglow with it.
"Oh, why have you told me this!"
she cried, as if he had dealt her a
strong blow. 81 had enough to bear
before, God knows"
"Ethel," and his arms were around
her, his strong brave arms, that would
count it pleasure to shield her from all
he world henceforth, "let me help you,
f can, and tell me that you care for
ne little. You do, don't you, Ethel?"
She turned her white, pitiful face to
MS, and he knew well enough then that
The loved him.
s'Let me CO." she cried, freeing her.
,elf from his 81 want to tell you
ouoht to have told Won n