Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-04-01
LEILA SUMNER;
EATEI AND LIFE.

'Home again after FIVE long years
of absence, to feel myself at home again
and so little change, no one missing
1t is almost too good, too much to
believe"
Thus unused Adrian Vale, as he
strolled through the quiet streets OF
his native village, the morning after
his return from four years wander
ing in Europe.
+, Adrian was young physician, and
he came home, the proud bearer of
certain certificates of distinction, from
one of the most celebrated medical
colleges in Paris.
He was sn only son, the pride of an
aged father, and doting mother. And
we'll he deserved this affection, both
for his talents, of which lie was justly
proud of his handsome face, and fine,
manly. form, Of his industry, without
which the most gifted must languish
in obscurity, but most of all for his
kind, loving disposition, and tender
heart.
As he walked along the fam liar
street, the five years seemed but day.
The long rows of houses, empowered
in their lovely groves of green shrub
berry; every tree, even the dewy grass
beneath his feet, seemed the same he
Anu were tue inmates OF these homes
changed?
Adrian hardly dared ask himself the
question.
There was one home, and one inmate
of that home, whose image filled all his
thoughts, of whom he had dreamed
day and night, and towards whose
dwelling he was slowly directing his
steps, with mingled feelings of fear,
anxiety, and hope.
Leila Summer had been the idol of
his youth.
Long before he left home, she had
given HIM her sacred promise that no
other man could ever call her wife.
AS he walked on toward the beautl-
full cottage where she lived, he won
dered in his heart if she were changed.
He left her child; she had given
him her child's heart and PROMISE
Would she regard him the same! Had
no other image crept into her heart!
She was woman now; was this out
ward change all that awaited him.
| Almost before he knew it, he was
standing in front of the gate leading
into Col. Summers grounds.
| He paused and looked up the long
avenue, the rows Of gigantic naples on
either side, the beautiful evergreen
hedge, the smooth velvety lawn, the
fragrant flower garden, the fountain,
sparkling and faring in the morning
sun, all exactly as he had left it.
The mocking-bird and yellow winged
canaries, Leila's pet birds, were
hopping about in their bright hued
cages filing the air with their gay
carolings; the luxuriant rose and
honeysuckle vines shaded the wide
piazza, where he had spent so many
happy evenings with Leila.
And would she know him now
sunbrowned and heavily bearded as he
was!
He opened the gate and walked
rapidly up the graveled path towards
the house, just as ite-robed figure,
slender and graceful as willow, fitted
past the low open window.
The next instant he stood within the
doorway, and little brown silken head
lay on bis shoulder, blushlng girlish
face was lifted shyly to his.
The lovers met, after years Of separa-
ton; and each felt that the others
heart was the same time or absence
had no power to change.
| Adrian was welcomed by Col
Sumner, in the same cordial, hearty
manner as of old; he had long looked
upon him as son.
! Time sped on gilded wings to the
happy lovers, and each day seemed tc
reveal some new charm, some az we,
undiscovered trait of mind or heart
which served to draw them nearer
together, till their very existence
seemed blended into one.
| Oh, this rosy tinted, silver-lined
cloud; Stoves young dream" it en-
velopes all around, it hides az that i